Television actress Dipika Kakar has opened up about one of the most harrowing periods of her life, recalling the moment she was diagnosed with a liver tumour and her immediate fear of being separated from her infant son, Ruhaan. In a heartfelt conversation on actress Rashami Desai's new podcast, Dipika and her husband, actor Shoaib Ibrahim, shared intimate details of their cancer journey, their enduring love story, and the strength they derived from each other.
The Devastating Diagnosis and a Mother's Fear
The couple's world turned upside down in December 2025. Just four days after a blissful holiday in Kashmir, Dipika experienced severe stomach pain. Assuming it was a routine acidity issue, they consulted a family doctor who recommended a CT scan. "She had a bad feeling," Shoaib recounted. By that evening, the scan revealed a tumour in her liver, leaving them in shock while they awaited confirmation on whether it was malignant.
For Dipika, the news was earth-shattering, but her first thought was for her baby. "My first question was, 'I won't stay away from Ruhaan'," she said. At the time, Ruhaan was still breastfeeding. The impending surgery necessitated weaning him abruptly. Dipika broke down in the car as she handed her crying son to her mother, unable to feed him. "A prayer came from my heart that if it's cancer, I don't have a complaint. I just want to get better. I know you will make me better," she emotionally shared.
The Agonising 15-Hour Surgery and a Husband's Vigil
Shoaib Ibrahim described the day of the surgery as the toughest of his life. He dropped Dipika at the operating theatre at 8:30 AM for a procedure scheduled to last 14 to 15 hours. "I couldn’t cry, nor could I talk to anyone — all I could do was pray," he said. The anxiety peaked when doctors mentioned she might need to be on a ventilator overnight. Shoaib's only instruction to the medical team was clear: "Do whatever you think is right, I just want Deepika to be fine."
The couple made a pact to process their fear privately. "We did all the crying in that hospital lobby. We both hugged each other and cried there. But after that, we both decided that we wouldn't cry anymore," Dipika stated. Her focus remained singular throughout the ordeal: "I just want to come back fine and be here for Ruhaan."
A Love Story Forged in Support and Song
The podcast also revisited the origins of their relationship, which began as a friendship on the sets of a television show. Their bond deepened after Shoaib left the show, with feelings growing through their absence. Interestingly, they revealed there was no 'no-dating' clause in their TV contracts, contrary to popular belief.
Music became their language of love. "Shoaib would send me a song line in the morning, and I would reply with another line from a song. That became our way of communicating," Dipika recalled. Their commitment was tested and proven during challenging times. Shoaib revealed a three-year period when he had no work and a bank balance of barely Rs. 20,000. Dipika supported them entirely, covering house rent, expenses, and his parents' medicines. "That’s the story of a true couple," Shoaib said, calling himself the "richest man in the world" for having her as his wife.
Even during Dipika's three-and-a-half-month stint in Bigg Boss, which she won, Shoaib documented his daily life in detail for her. Upon her return, he presented her with the pages. "There was so much love in those pages that, honestly, more than the Bigg Boss trophy, that meant more to me," Dipika confessed, highlighting the depth of their connection.
The couple's candid conversation stands as a powerful testament to facing life's gravest challenges with love, faith, and an unwavering focus on family.
