Saba Pataudi has spoken about the period when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 27. She shared the story on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast “All About Her,” in an episode where she discussed brain tumors and brain health with a doctor. She said she underwent surgery in 2006.

The Day She Fainted

Saba said she had no significant symptoms beforehand. While out one day, she felt uneasy and assumed it was a stomach issue, since she has always had a sensitive stomach. She told a friend she was unwell and wanted to go home, but her vision suddenly blurred and she fell unconscious on the road.

When she came to, she again asked her friend to take her home. She said it took about 20 to 25 minutes to regain full consciousness, and that she kept seeing and feeling everything blurry for a long time afterwards.

The Diagnosis

Soon after, she had an MRI, which showed a lesion in the third ventricle of her brain. It was first diagnosed as a colloid cyst, a rare, non-cancerous lump filled with a jelly-like substance. She had surgery about six months after the scan, and the growth was later diagnosed as a pilocytic astrocytoma, a common low-grade brain tumor.

“Your Life Comes to a Standstill”

Saba said being diagnosed so suddenly was extremely hard. One day everything was normal, and the next she learned she was undergoing brain surgery. “It’s not as easy as an appendix operation,” she said. She added that the news broke her, and she often cried for no reason, as she had never expected it. The experience, she said, ultimately made her stronger.

A Milestone Birthday

Saba celebrated her 50th birthday with family in May this year and shared posts on social media thanking them for their love, support and gifts.

Why It Matters

Stories like Saba’s show how a serious condition can appear without clear warning and how quickly life can change after a scan. Her willingness to describe the fear and emotional toll may help others take unexplained fainting or vision changes seriously, and speak to a doctor. For specific symptoms, a qualified medical professional is the right source of advice.