Nafisa Ali treks 11,000 feet post-cancer surgery and chemotherapy
Synopsis
Six years after a stage 3 cancer diagnosis, Nafisa Ali trekked to 11,000 feet near Rohtang Pass — helped by her son-in-law and grandson — and called it 'brand new.' It is a rare, candid window into post-cancer recovery from one of Bollywood's most enduring figures.
Key Takeaways
Nafisa Ali , 69 , trekked at 11,000 feet near Rohtang Pass after surgery and multiple chemotherapy sessions.
She was diagnosed with stage 3 peritoneal and ovarian cancer in 2018 .
Her son-in-law Adil and grandson Aamair helped her navigate the rocky terrain during the outing.
In April , she had publicly shared a photograph of her surgical scar, drawing widespread admiration.
Ali made her film debut in 1979 with Junoon and was last seen in Uunchai ( 2022 ).
Veteran actress Nafisa Ali, a stage 3 peritoneal and ovarian cancer survivor, has completed a high-altitude trek near Rohtang Pass at 11,000 feet, describing the experience as one that made her feel 'brand new' after surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy. The 69-year-old actress shared videos and photographs from the trek on social media, offering a rare and candid glimpse into her recovery journey.
The Trek and What It Meant
Ali documented the outing — a 'super picnic' with friends and family — through a series of posts. 'Trekking at 11,000 feet for a super picnic with friends and family. See me being helped by my son-in-law and grandson helping me down the track. It made me feel brand new after surgery and my many chemos,' she wrote.
Her son-in-law Adil and grandson Aamair were by her side, helping her navigate the rocky terrain. 'At 11,000 feet — near Rohtang — with Adil (my son-in-law) and Aamair pushing me up the rocks I finally made it up to the car. It was too much fun,' she added. She also shared a quiet moment of 'earthing' with her granddaughter Aariana at home in Shenag Valley, Manali.
Her Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Ali was diagnosed with stage 3 peritoneal and ovarian cancer in 2018. Since then, she has undergone surgery and multiple chemotherapy sessions — a gruelling course of treatment that makes her high-altitude trek all the more significant. In April, she had shared a photograph of her surgical scar on her abdomen, drawing widespread admiration for her openness about the recovery process.
A Career Spanning Four Decades
Ali made her screen debut in 1979 with director Shyam Benegal's Junoon, starring alongside Shashi Kapoor. Over the decades, she appeared in a range of films including Major Saab with Amitabh Bachchan, Bewafaa, Life In A… Metro, Guzaarish, Yamla Pagla Deewana, and the Malayalam film Big B with Mammootty.
She was most recently seen in the 2022 ensemble drama Uunchai, directed by Sooraj Barjatya, which also featured Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Parineeti Chopra, Neena Gupta, Sarika, and Danny Denzongpa. Beyond cinema, Ali contested the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from South Kolkata, though she was unsuccessful.
Why Her Story Resonates
Ali's decision to share her recovery publicly — from surgical scars to mountain treks — has positioned her as an unlikely but powerful voice on cancer survivorship in India. This comes amid growing public awareness around ovarian and peritoneal cancers, which are often diagnosed at advanced stages due to limited early symptoms. Her journey underscores that post-treatment recovery, while deeply personal, can also reclaim physical milestones that once seemed out of reach.
Point of View
And survivors who speak publicly about treatment and recovery remain rare. Ali's willingness to show the surgical scar in April and the mountain climb in June does something that most awareness campaigns do not: it makes survivorship visible and physical. The question is whether the health system pays attention, or whether this remains an individual story of grit rather than a prompt for better screening outreach.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What cancer did Nafisa Ali survive?
Nafisa Ali was diagnosed with stage 3 peritoneal and ovarian cancer in 2018. She subsequently underwent surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy as part of her treatment.
Where did Nafisa Ali trek after her cancer treatment?
She trekked near Rohtang Pass at an altitude of 11,000 feet, accompanied by friends and family including her son-in-law Adil and grandson Aamair. She described the experience as making her feel 'brand new.'
How old is Nafisa Ali and when did she start her acting career?
Nafisa Ali is 69 years old. She made her acting debut in 1979 with Shyam Benegal's film Junoon, starring alongside Shashi Kapoor.
What was Nafisa Ali's last film?
Her most recent film was Uunchai (2022), directed by Sooraj Barjatya, an ensemble drama also featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Parineeti Chopra, and others.
Did Nafisa Ali ever enter politics?
Yes, Nafisa Ali contested the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from the South Kolkata constituency but was unsuccessful in that bid.
