KGF’s Chacha Harish Rai Fighting Cancer; Needs ₹70 Lakh For Treatment, Believes Yash Will Help

Kannada actor Harish Rai, fondly remembered as Don Rai in the cult classic Om and as Chacha in KGF, is currently battling thyroid cancer. The illness has spread to his stomach, leaving him frail and unrecognizable. While his body has become weak and thin, his stomach is visibly swollen due to water accumulation. The transformation has left his fans deeply saddened, and many are now praying for his recovery.

Recently, social media influencer Gopi Gowdru visited the ailing actor and shared a video online, in which Harish Rai openly appealed for financial assistance. Expressing his desire to return to acting if his health improves, the actor revealed the immense cost of his treatment.

According to Rai, one injection alone costs ₹3.55 lakh. Doctors have prescribed three injections per cycle over a period of 63 days, amounting to ₹10.5 lakh for each cycle. In many cases, patients require between 17 and 20 injections, which means his overall treatment could cost around ₹70 lakh. He admitted that though the diagnosis was confirmed one-and-a-half months ago, he hesitated to go public until his wife urged him to seek help.

Has Harish Rai Informed Yash About His Health Condition?

When asked about reports of KGF star Yash extending help, Harish Rai clarified that he has not yet spoken to him. "Yash has helped me before. I cannot keep asking him every time. How much can one person do? I haven't informed him about my health, but I know if he comes to know, he will definitely stand by me. He is just one call away, though he is busy with his upcoming film Toxic. I've told my family and sons to reach out to him if anything happens to me, because I know he won't turn away," he said.

Rai further added that treatment will begin once funds for at least the first three injections are ready. He remains hopeful that colleagues from the film industry, along with his well-wishers, will come forward to support him during this critical time.

Over his career, Harish Rai has acted in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films, including Om, Samara, Bangalore Underworld, Jodihakki, Raj Bahadur, Sanju Weds Geetha, Swayamvara, Nalla, and both chapters of KGF.