Off late, Bollywood's acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Basu has been in the news for the success of his last directorial film 'Barfi' that has been chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars.

But Anurag has something beyond his films that inspires the lives of many. He, who was once hit by cancer, successfully managed to eliminate the dreading ailment from his body.

He exclaims that though he took it as another challenge in his life, the illness changed the way he looked at life. "I never took my ailment too seriously. It was cancer that had to deal with me and not the other way round. Also, my illness didn't change me as a person but my priorities have changed now. Today I know what is important and what is not. Cancer for me was a 'life sentence' that urged me to push through the fatal odds and realize the worth of my life," said Anurag Basu.

He, who has been an example for many cancer-hit patients claims that he feels good when he helps inspire people to hope and work towards a cancer-free life. "When people say that they look up to me as their inspiration...I do feel touched," added Anurag, who however, adds that on a personal front he'd like to get rid of the cancer badge. "I don't always want to move around with that cancer badge. It's all done and over, let's move on!" added Anurag.