Arjun Sen's life was one of achievements, accolades and aspirations – until it wasn't. At 32, the marketing professional was at the peak of his career, leading high-stakes meetings and sealing deals.
But everything changed in a moment. During a typical workday, Arjun started vomiting blood in the middle of a meeting. What happened after that was normal.
Medical records revealed an aggressive cancer, and doctors delivered a grim verdict: Zen, founder and CEO of ZenMango, had only 100 days to live.
Breaking the news to loved ones proved to be almost as dangerous as the diagnosis. With his family thousands of miles away in India, Arjun had to rely on phone calls to share the devastating truth. Tears, shock, and helpless pity greeted him at every call, each one draining his resolve.
But his young daughter's nagging questions inspired him to fight back. “Dad are you dying? Are you coming to my wedding?” she asked, her voice trembling with fear, and those words became his turning point.
Arjun vows to ignore obstacles not only for himself, but for the future opportunities his daughter aspires to.
From that day on, Arjun approached his battles like a shrewd strategist. He followed his treatment plan rigorously, readjusted his lifestyle, and held out hope even as his strength dwindled.
Friends and doctors started referring to him as a “future cancer survivor” and their faith in him became a lifeline.
As his health stabilized, Arjun poured his energy into what mattered most: time with loved ones, meaningful conversations and writing. Words became his sanctuary, a way to process the pain and share his resilience.
Years later, Arjun's extraordinary journey caught the attention of filmmaker Shoojit Sarkar, who wanted to bring it to the big screen.
At first, Arjun was hesitant, but his daughter urged him to say yes, believing that his story could inspire countless others. That decision led to the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer I Want to Talk. It is a celebration of Arjun's distressed victory.
More than 25 years after his diagnosis, Arjun has become a beacon of hope for cancer patients around the world. His message is simple yet profound: focus on the quality of life, appreciate every moment, and find strength in the darkest of times.