Adivi Sesh Honors Late Young Fan Keerthi Through Her Parents’ Memoir ‘Thumb-Sucking’
Actor Adivi Sesh has reflected on his heartfelt connection with a young fan named Keerthi, whose life and medical journey have been chronicled by her parents in a memoir titled Thumb-Sucking. Keerthi, who passed away at the age of eight following a four-year battle with cancer, formed a close bond with the actor after watching his film Major.
What Happened
Keerthi was diagnosed with cancer at four years old. Over the course of her treatment, she underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and two bone marrow transplants, with both of her parents serving as bone marrow donors. Despite facing four relapses—some occurring shortly after her transplants and chemotherapy sessions—she maintained a loving attitude and sought to comfort her parents throughout the ordeal.
Her connection with Adivi Sesh began after she watched him in Major, affectionately calling the actor “Sandeep Mama.” Upon hearing her story, Sesh visited Keerthi and her family. During their time together, they bonded over her love for Lego toys, constructing a toy car and playing together. What started as an initial meeting developed into a lasting personal connection, with Sesh remaining in contact with the family.
Following Keerthi’s passing at age eight, her parents decided to write Thumb-Sucking to document her childhood, medical treatment, and their caregiving experiences. On Keerthi’s birthday on August 17, Sesh purchased hundreds of copies of the memoir to help distribute her story to interested readers.
Key Highlights
- Memoir Details: Keerthi’s parents authored Thumb-Sucking to record her journey, childhood memories, and guidance for parents facing similar circumstances.
- Medical Journey: Diagnosed at age four, Keerthi underwent four chemotherapy cycles, immunotherapy, two bone marrow transplants from her parents, and faced four relapses before passing away at age eight.
- Connection with Adivi Sesh: Keerthi nicknamed Sesh “Sandeep Mama” after viewing his movie Major, leading to personal visits and shared activities like building Lego sets.
- Actor’s Initiative: On August 17, Keerthi’s birthday, Sesh ordered hundreds of copies of the book to help share her story of courage and resilience.
- How to Access: Readers interested in the memoir can reach out via direct message to the Thumb-Sucking Instagram page, mentioning Adivi Sesh’s post to request a copy.
Why This Matters
The publication of Thumb-Sucking provides an account of the challenges families face when navigating pediatric cancer, rigorous therapies, and repeated relapses. By sharing both personal childhood memories and caregiving insights, Keerthi’s parents aim to provide perspective, hope, and practical information to other parents dealing with critical illnesses. Adivi Sesh noted that knowing Keerthi reshaped his understanding of courage, emphasizing that genuine strength can often be seen in a child choosing to smile and play despite severe adversity.
What to Watch Next
Copies of the memoir Thumb-Sucking are being shared with readers who reach out through the official Thumb-Sucking Instagram page following Adivi Sesh’s public post and book purchase initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Keerthi?
Keerthi was a young girl diagnosed with cancer at age four. She became an admirer of actor Adivi Sesh after watching his movie Major, and her battle with illness inspired her parents to write a memoir about her life.
What is the book ‘Thumb-Sucking’ about?
Thumb-Sucking is a memoir written by Keerthi’s parents detailing her childhood, her medical treatments—including bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy—and their experiences as caregivers, intended to offer hope and information to others.
How did Adivi Sesh support the book?
On Keerthi’s birthday on August 17, Sesh ordered hundreds of copies of Thumb-Sucking to assist in sharing her inspiring story with interested readers.
How can readers obtain a copy of the memoir?
Readers can request the book by sending a direct message to the Thumb-Sucking Instagram account and mentioning that they learned about it through Adivi Sesh’s post.
Source: Based on public statements and updates shared by actor Adivi Sesh on Instagram.