Hina Khan Speaks Out on Industry Hesitancy Post-Cancer Diagnosis

Television actor Hina Khan has spoken out about the professional challenges she continues to face after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Despite making a gradual recovery and returning to work, Khan says she has sensed reluctance within the entertainment industry when it comes to casting her in new projects.

In a candid interview, the 37-year-old actor said she had to put her acting career on hold during her treatment, turning down several offers. Now, with her health improving, she’s back on-screen but hasn’t seen the same response from the industry.“This is my first project after the whole thing (breast cancer diagnosis) happened. I want to work. No one has directly said to me, ‘You’ve still not recovered completely’, but I can sense that maybe people are hesitant (to work with me) for all the right reasons,” Khan said.

The actor, who rose to fame with her roles in popular TV serials such as Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2, said she understands the hesitation from a business point of view but is determined to prove her readiness and resilience.“It’s okay. I’ll have to break that norm. Maybe the show will do it, I understand it. Had I been in their place, I would’ve thought about it a thousand times. But I’m open to auditions. Where did I stop? No one has called me for the last one year, for all the reasons. I’m open to everything. Please call me.”

Khan made her comeback with the reality show Pati Patni Aur Panga, marking her first appearance since going public with her diagnosis. While the show is not a fiction-based acting project, she viewed it as a testing ground to understand her physical capacity post-treatment.“It was a big step for me to take up the show, and it was an experiment as far as my health is concerned — whether I’ll be able to do it or not. So far, so good. I do get tired a bit, but apart from that, everything is fine.”

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Despite the fatigue, Khan says she is fully capable of handling work and is ready for fresh roles in television, OTT platforms, and even films — provided the roles are manageable and don’t involve long-term commitments.

She also expressed her desire to take on more serious and performance-driven roles in the future.“I’m ready to take up anything — be it a digital show, or anything short-term. If anything is offered in films, and if they find me worthy enough, then why not?”

Khan’s remarks reflect a broader issue in the entertainment industry, where actors dealing with health setbacks often face silent discrimination despite their readiness to work. Her appeal for a fair chance stands as both a personal and professional call for inclusion and understanding.

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