Raju Kher’s 17-hour cancer surgery and Anupam’s promise

Raju Kher has opened up about a health battle that reshaped his life — and about the elder brother who refused to let him face it alone. In a new interview with Siddharth Kannan, the actor-director revisited his 2004 bladder cancer diagnosis and the quiet, forceful way Anupam Kher stepped in.

The call that brought Anupam home

At the time, Anupam Kher was shooting abroad. Raju said he was going through a difficult phase when he learned about the tumour in his bladder. He told his brother everything, and Anupam immediately left work and returned to Mumbai.

What happened next became the moment Raju remembers most. When Anupam insisted on taking him to Lilavati Hospital, Raju pushed back, saying the hospital was expensive. Anupam nearly slapped him and said, “Stay quiet, and do as I say.” Raju recounted the exchange with Siddharth Kannan, calling Anupam a “father figure” and adding that the expenses were handled without his knowledge.

A 17-hour reconstruction

The treatment was far more serious than a routine procedure. Doctors found a tumour in Raju’s urinary bladder and decided the bladder had to be removed. He explained that his large intestine was converted into a urinary bladder, then attached to the kidneys and urinary tract.

The reconstruction Raju describes is sometimes called a neobladder — a pouch shaped from bowel tissue that lets the body store and pass urine after the bladder is removed. It is a major surgery, which helps explain why the operation stretched to 17 hours.

The tumour was caught at the first of five levels, but it was growing quickly. That urgency turned into a long, life-changing operation.

Here is how the ordeal unfolded, as Raju described it:

• 2004: Raju was diagnosed with bladder cancer during a rough phase.
• Anupam’s response: He left an overseas shoot and returned to Mumbai immediately.
• The decision: Anupam insisted on Lilavati Hospital despite Raju’s worries about cost.
• The surgery: Doctors removed Raju’s bladder and rebuilt one from his intestine over 17 hours.
• The bills: Anupam quietly covered all medical expenses.

Why the bond matters

For Hindi film fans, the Kher brothers are a reminder that the families behind the camera can be as compelling as the stars in front of it. Anupam Kher has built a reputation as one of India’s most versatile actors, but this story shows the older-brother role is not just a screen persona. Raju says that presence now gives him a sense of security — he is not scared about anything because he knows his brother will take care of everyone. At the same time, Raju says he is conscious about not taking Anupam for granted.

Raju also offered an update on Kirron Kher, the actor-politician and Anupam’s wife, who has had her own cancer battle. He said she is doing alright and currently needs only an injection as part of her treatment.

Source: The Times of India