Bollywood singer and music composer Aadesh Shrivastava seems to be fighting a losing battle against cancer, according to the doctors treating him at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. His wife and former actress Vijayta Pandit confirmed that the doctors have given up on him, in a DNA report published recently.
While Shrivastava was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, he suffered a third relapse just a month ago.
We had gone to America and had just returned when he suddenly started bleeding from his nose. It wouldn’t stop. We rushed him to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital. That’s been his home for the last month. I am running from hospital to residence all day long trying to remain sane even as the doctors have given up on him.
– Vijayta Pandit
The family is understandably going through unimaginable stress and grief. The Shrivastavas are also under financial stress since each injection reportedly costs Rs 12 Lacs. Aadesh admitted in a 2011 interview that for him, having been forgotten and ignored by his closest friends has been a greater trauma than the disease itself.
Falling ill so suddenly was traumatic. But the cold-shoulder treatment I got from the people with whom I’ve closely worked with for years, has caused me even more damage than the disease itself. Nobody came to visit me after I fell sick.
– Aadesh Shrivastava
According to reports, the singer was forced to sell off his favourite car, a Hummer, in order to pay for his treatment, back in 2011.
I can’t describe what I am going through. I don’t know how I am coping. Our two sons Anivesh and Avitesh are keeping me from crumbling under pressure. My family (brothers composers Jatin and Lalit Pandit) are also a great support.
– Vijayta Pandit
After his diagnosis, Aadesh wondered why his closest friends deserted him in his hour of need. He admitted that he’s a very emotional person, who can’t do without his family and is the ‘2 am friend to call’ for many.