‘Mission Majnu’ actor Sharib Hashmi got ‘The Family Man’ role amid wife’s cancer diagnosis, she underwent four surgeries; couple even sold their home

Actor Sharib Hashmi, who is known for his work in 'Mission Majnu' and web shows like The Family Man and Asur, recently opened up about his untold struggles, financial hardships and how he his wife Nasreen for many years battled a huge health crisis: oral cancer. Sharib Hashmi revealed how his wife, a four time cancer survivor, stood with him through every challenge and credited his wife for supporting him through his struggling days. The actor left his well-paying job to chase his acting dream and when success came with 'The Family Man', Nasreen was diagnosed with oral cancer. But the couple stood with each other in tough times and faced every hurdle together.

Nasreen was first diagnosed with oral cancer in 2018. Sharib Hashmi revealed that the diagnosis was "very tough" which turned their life upside down and forced them to suddenly make frequent visits to the hospital, going for biopsies, managing finances and their children's needs all at once.

Sharib Hashmi reveals personal life struggles

In a chat with Siddharth Kannan, Sharib said that his wife was first diagnosed in 2018. But it was during the same period when his wife was battling oral cancer, he started getting offers for prominent roles and one of them was 'The Family Man'. Sharib said that this was the universe’s way of balancing the scales, as the family went through their worst and best at the same time.

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“I don’t know what to call it… this is a divine mystery, but after she was diagnosed, and she got operated, I started getting work. I got The Family Man and Asur after that,” he shared, and added, “My career was doing fine, but she was struggling with cancer.”

But what made Nasreen's cancer fight even more tough was undergoing four major surgeries but the disease would keep coming back. Sharib spoke about his wife’s strong will and spoke about how each operation was a brutal ordeal for the family, yet she would somehow bounce back within 3–5 days every time, “I have never seen anyone who has such a strong will,” he said. It is pertinent to note that surgical treatment of oral cancer can cause multiple hardships and challenges for patients, because it can damage their ability to speak and swallow food, while making it difficult to eat and also cause facial appearance changes.

Speaking about his children that they became mature at a young age because they could see their mother going through a health crisis, Sharib revealed, "They grew up and became mature, they would see their mother getting weak, her face had changed."

“It was my wife Nasreen who supported me and stood by my side. She told me, ‘If this is what you want to do in life, then I am with you.’ She had left her job after our son was born. But when we exhausted all our savings, it was she who took up a job again to support the family. She was dabbling with her job and family together. Hats off to her.”

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How financial hardships forced them to sell their home

According to a report, Nasreen recalled how financial hardships once forced them to sell their home and how Sharib stayed by her side through five cancer recurrences. Speaking with People of India, Nasreen Hashmi shared, “Through failed auditions and 5 battles with cancer. We never let go of each other. 22 years ago, I got married to my college sweetheart. He left a well-paying job to chase his acting dream. Our financial struggles grew – We even had to sell our house, yet we never let go of each other. Slowly, Sharib’s career began to take flight. The Family Man finally made him the star he wanted to be. But that same week, I was diagnosed with cancer."



“While he made the world laugh, he was crying in hospital corridors. He refused to leave my bedside for even a minute. I have had 5 cancer recurrences since then. But every time I open my eyes, he is right there. 22 years later, he is still here, my wall, my constant. Our journey shows that true love never gives up. It holds on and survives every storm," she added.

Apart from Filmistaan and Family Man, Sharib Hashmi has also worked in hit projects like Batti Gul Meter Chalu, Pagglait, Mission Majnu, Fighter and The Diplomat, among others.