Full Name: Tahira Kashyap Khurrana
Stage Name: Tahira Kashyap
Date of Birth (DOB): January 21, 1983
Age: 42 (as of 2025)
Net Worth: Estimated around ₹10–15 Crore INR (~$1.5–2 million USD) (includes earnings from books, films, and public appearances)
Place of Birth: Chandigarh, India
Nationality: Indian
Religion: Hindu
Profession: Author, Filmmaker, Professor, Motivational Speaker
Early Life and Education
Tahira Kashyap grew up in Chandigarh, a city renowned for its fusion of art, education, and culture. She was exposed to both intellectual stimulation and artistic flexibility at a young age due to her upbringing in a progressive Punjabi household. She attended Patiala’s Yadavindra Public School before graduating from Punjab University with a master’s degree in mass communication. She first pursued teaching as a result of her solid academic background, holding the positions of Professor and Head of Mass Communication at Mithibai College in Mumbai.
Personal Life and Relationship
During her college years, Tahira met Ayushmann Khurrana, and the two became lifelong friends. The couple courted for years before getting married in 2008. Tahira has been Ayushmann’s emotional rock during his difficult early years in Bollywood and his eventual ascent to success. Virajveer, their son, and Varushka, their daughter, are their two children. The family is well-known on social media for their openness, humility, and intimate posts.
Career Highlights
As an Author
The most authentic representation of contemporary Indian women can be found in Tahira’s work. She is renowned for fusing profound reflection with humour. Her books include:
- I Promise… A Story of Love and Deceit (2011)
- Souled Out (2012)
- Cracking the Code: My Journey in Bollywood (with Ayushmann Khurrana) (2015)
- The 12 Commandments of Being a Woman (2020)
- The 7 Sins of Being a Mother (2021)
Her work is commended for questioning social conventions, examining relationships, and normalising the often-unspoken realities of women.
As a Filmmaker
Tahira’s love of creating stories translated to the big screen as she directed a number of critically praised short films:
Toffee (2017): A nostalgic, poignant tale of childhood and social class.
Pinni (2020): Featured in Zindagi in Short, focusing on the invisible labor of homemakers.
Both films were praised for their feminist themes, simplicity, and depth of emotion.
Battle with Cancer
Tahira received a Stage 0 breast cancer diagnosis in 2018. She courageously had a mastectomy and openly shared her struggle, including heartfelt posts and raw images of her recovery. She gained a great deal of respect for her openness, which also de-stigmatized conversations about cancer, particularly among Indian women. Others are still motivated to put their health and mental health first by her activism.
Public Image and Impact
Tahira is regarded as a contemporary feminist figure who strikes a balance between fiery independence and vulnerability. She is a well-known TEDx speaker who freely discusses women’s rights, motherhood, body image, mental health, and self-love. Her unique blend of humor, honesty, and introspection makes her an empowering figure in Indian pop culture.
Legacy and Future Endeavors
From writing tables to public stages, and from classrooms to movie sets, Tahira Kashyap is constantly redefining what it means to be a woman in the modern world. Her narrative is one of self-improvement, acceptance of flaws, and empowerment. Her legacy expands as she writes, directs, and advocates—not only as the wife of Ayushmann Khurrana, but as a force and voice unto herself.
