Kalpana Lajmi: Kidney Cancer Should've Happened To Me At 82, Not 60
The cancer-stricken acclaimed filmmaker speaks out for the first time about her failing health
Daughter of painter Lalitha Lajmi and niece of late Guru Dutt, Kalpana Lajmi proved her mettle with Rudaali, Darmiyaan and Daman, which received a lot of appreciation in the 90s.
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Reports of her health issues have been doing the rounds since some time. In an exclusive interview with SpotboyE, Lajmi told us her tragic story. Read on...
Kalpanaji, are you feeling okay?
I am recovering (pauses). Since February, I had been very, very ill. I had a kidney removal surgery. Now I am on dialysis, thrice a week.
How did it all begin?
I was getting frequent diarrhoea and fever. I thought I had developed a stomach problem. And then one day, I could not pass urine. Tests revealed that my kidneys had failed, and one of them had a malignant tumour.
Where was the surgery done?
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Dr. Yuvraj from the US did a brilliant job. Now I have to go for blood tests every 2-3 months, to ensure that the cancer doesn't recur.
What are the dos and don'ts in your diet now?
I can hardly eat anything - just beans, cauliflower, cabbage, stew, fish and chicken. Aur kuch nahin. And importantly, the quantity of food I consume has a borderline which I cannot cross. The happiness of my life is gone.
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Who is looking after you?
My poor mother (Lalitha Lajmi) is hanging around.
The industry has rallied around you in terms of financial aid...
I have not asked for money from anyone, I won't do it in the future either. If you are kind to offer me financial help when I am down and out, I shall accept it. If I am working and earning, why would I? Mind well, this has not happened because of Aamir Khan. Stop overreacting just because he is a star. He came forward because of Ashoke Pandit, who is the President of Indian Films & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA). There is a clause in IFTDA that all the existing directors should come forward to help those directors who are down with problems. Vinta Nanda (writer of the popular TV show Tara and director of White Noise) went to Ashoke to inform him about me, after which he approached everyone. Now, Ashoke is moving around to form a corpus fund, which will continue as long as I actually need it.
Are you undergoing chemotherapy?
No, touch wood. But I am shocked with what happened to me. It should've happened at 82, not 60. Isn't 60 supposed to be the age when we are really wise and begin life?
SpotboyE wishes Lajmi a full and speedy recovery.
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