Teenaa Kaur Pasricha's Documentary Explores Breast Cancer Journey

A Personal Journey Through Cancer

In her latest documentary, filmmaker Teenaa Kaur Pasricha delves into a deeply personal topic: her own battle with breast cancer and the journey to recovery.

The film, titled What If I Tell You, not only recounts her cancer experience but also addresses the societal silence surrounding this disease. Pasricha challenges the reluctance to discuss a condition that can significantly alter women's lives.

“During my treatment, I noticed that people avoided talking about it – even my parents suggested I forget it, as if it were just a bad dream,” Pasricha shared. “It's not something that can be easily forgotten, and perhaps it's beneficial to reflect on the lessons learned from this ordeal.”

Finished in February, the documentary has been featured in various film festivals, with a screening scheduled for May 15 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai. “This film is not just about me; it represents the stories of many other women as well,” Pasricha explained. “It's a way to normalize the experience rather than stigmatize it.”

What If I Tell You includes footage of Pasricha's consultations with her oncologist and heartfelt conversations with her parents, who reside in Ajmer. A friend named Nomi, who she connects with via video calls, provides emotional support throughout her journey.

“Some days feel endless,” Pasricha reflects in the documentary. “Those are the days when I visit the doctor.”

Pasricha's previous works include 1984, When the Sun Didn’t Rise (2017), which focused on the women impacted by the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi following the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Just a week before receiving a National Film Award for 1984 in 2018, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I had no prior knowledge of cancer, except for the film Anand,” she recalled. In Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand (1971), Rajesh Khanna portrays a terminally ill cancer patient who maintains a positive outlook.

“I found myself wondering if this would be my end, if I would die, or if I could have a life after this,” Pasricha said, expressing the multitude of questions that plagued her.

Throughout the documentary, she explores various coping strategies, including joining a theatre group. She had been seeking a partner even before her diagnosis. A significant portion of What If I Tell You focuses on her encounters with potential partners and their willingness to accept a woman with a cancer history.

“I thought, let me continue my search and see how men perceive me,” Pasricha stated. “Would they be able to connect with my experiences and accept me as I am?”

All the men she met consented to be featured in the documentary, she noted.

“We maintain friendly relationships with everyone involved,” Pasricha added. “The film is presented in a balanced manner, without bias, even if I may not agree with some perspectives.”

For Pasricha, the process of documenting her journey has been enlightening.

“I truly learned what self-love means,” she expressed. “I didn't grasp this modern concept before, but now I do. In my earlier films, I prioritized my work over myself. Now, I understand the significance of valuing myself above my projects. I've also learned to take life at a slower pace.”