Shugufta Ali talks about hiding her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis, fearing it would end her career. She sold her jewelry and her car to survive, and wondered why people were so scrutinizing her spending. All her savings went toward medical bills. She has since stepped away from an upcoming TV show due to health issues.
Veteran actress Shugufta Ali has never been shy about talking about the toughest phase of her life. This includes fighting stage 3 breast cancer and facing financial pressures due to her and her father’s health problems.
She says she dealt with it all on her own, without turning to anyone for help. She has also been vocal about the criticism she has faced regarding her financial woes.
Shugufta Ali talks about why she hid her diagnosis
Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, the actress explained why she kept her diagnosis under wraps. Shagufta shared that she hid her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis out of fear that it would hurt her career, adding that the mindset of the industry at the time made her feel like she had no other choice.
When asked why she remained silent about it, Shagufta replied: “Uss zamaane mein uss cheez ko ye kaha jaata tha ki nahi nahi nahi nahi nahi, Batana nahi Batana.
Bilkol don’t talk about him or talk about him. Nahi toh kaam milena. Phir wahi dar, dara diya ki kaam nahi milega. Phir waale aisa karne lagte hain industry, aisa tafeel karte hain, aisa tafeel karne hain. Toh Nahi Bataya tha Maine (Translation: At that time, the prevailing attitude was – no, no, no – you simply can’t talk about it.
She wasn’t supposed to mention that at all; Otherwise you won’t get a job. There was that fear, the threat of business shutting down. People in the industry will start to behave or act in certain ways. So, I didn’t say anything.)”
Shugufta Ali sells her jewelry and car to survive
During that difficult period, she revealed that she had to give up her jewelry and car to get by, although she is quick to point out that her home was never on the line. Even now, she doesn’t mind commuting in an auto rickshaw, be it to work or medical appointments.
She also addressed the criticism she received for having no savings left. “When I started experiencing difficulties from 2017 onwards, people started questioning me, saying: ‘Don’t you have any savings?’ Of course I did.
I had a lot of savings, and that’s exactly what I used all these years. I’m not Ambani, Tata or Adani, right? It’s not like I’ll never run out of money. How much savings do you think I could get? I am a TV actor.
I am the only earning member in my house. Those savings had to cover illnesses, daily expenses, groceries, household maintenance, everything.
Shagufta Ali when questioned about her spending
What puzzled her most was why people were upset by her refusal to ask for help and why her personal savings were of interest to them in the first place. She noted that she was not spending her money in nightclubs, drinking heavily, having an extravagant lifestyle, or partying. What bothered her most was constantly having to justify her spending to others, and she wondered why that was a problem. In response to repeated questions about where her savings went, she explained that it all went to cover her medical expenses.
Shugufta Ali is staying away from her upcoming TV show
Shugufta Ali, who was scheduled to feature in the popular TV show, is no longer associated with the project. She was originally chosen to be Aaditya Gupta’s grandmother but had to step down due to health complications.
