Sonali Bendre
The beautiful actress talks about her battle with cancer, the lessons she learnt during her recovery, her choice of TV shows and her second innings in TV and movies.
You have had a successful career in both Bollywood and later in television. What inspired you to enter this field of acting?
To be honest, it was not the love of acting. It was the paycheck. No other field could have given me the kind of financial security that this field was giving me. It is strange since our field (movies and entertainment) is like gambling. But yeah, that’s the situation at that time. Thankfully, I fell in love with my job and can’t imagine doing anything else now.
Your movie ‘Sarfarosh’ is considered a classic. Can you share with us your most memorable moments during the filming of this movie?
Sarfrosh, for me, was entirely from John (the movie director, John Matthew). He was the one who saw me in this character. I had done ad films with John, and he had seen this lighter side of me, which is so me, actually. But in most of my movies I am being ‘English Babu, they see me in duplicate. Whatever, it was all glamorous roles about the looks, and those were the kinds of roles that came to me. And so I cannot be thankful enough to John for seeing me in that role, sticking to his guns and wanting me to play this character. Of course, shooting with Amir (actor Amir Khan), a perfectionist and a fantastic co-actor, was amazing. One learns so much from him; he was a supportive colleague. The fun part was shooting in Delhi because we shot at the university in Delhi, the campus, and the whole atmosphere. It was wonderful shooting there, and the crowds would gather. I started understanding what, maybe, if I can call it, stardom was around that time because of the number of people who used to turn out to watch us shoot. Because of Amir and the fondness and the first time, I got the appreciation or whatever you would call it. I started understanding how many people were crushing on me and what today’s world is! That realisation came from the Delhi shoot.
Your courageous battle with cancer has been an inspiration to many. What helped you stay positive during this challenging time?
Well, the battle with cancer is something which I kept thinking has come to me to teach me something. It’s not easy to keep the mindset positive. It’s even today; it’s a challenge, and there are bad days, and there are days which are good, and which is not just with cancer. All of us go through that, and what is it that we look forward to, what is our gratitude, what are our positive things? You just have to start picking on them and look for them. It’s easier said than done, but maybe also because my son was really young, and I wanted to be there for him, which gave me the courage. That is what really gave me the courage then. My mind told me that I have this child, and I got this human being in this world, and I need to be there for him. He’s too young right now. This thought kept me going.
What is your message to those fighting cancer at the moment ?
It’s crazy the number of calls I get from the number of people who are getting this; the disease is just growing and spreading so much.
Even while giving this interview and doing the shoot, I got two calls last night regarding people in the same situation, which really brought me down. It does scare me, but I don’t want to express it since it will also be scary for the other person.
I would tell such patients- ‘don’t try to fight it, and don’t try to deny what they’re feeling’. The talk and thought of cancer are heavy; I can understand. But the moment you deny it, you push it into some corner. I would say accept all the feelings that you are feeling and more than anything else. Just know it’s a message to you that ‘you need to start loving yourself. Love your body. Be kind that to yourself.’
As a judge on reality shows, what qualities do you look for in contestants that set them apart from the rest?
I really enjoyed reality shows, and when I did ‘Kya Masti, Kya Doom’, I was at the peak of my career, and then ‘Hum Sath Sath Hain’ and ‘Sarfarosh’ these movies came along, and everybody in the industry asked what’s wrong with this girl? Because one does TV shows when they don’t have work in films, and everyone asked me why, even though I had so much work in movies, I worked in television shows. But I loved the show concept; I thought it was family-oriented and fun. It’s so clean, and that’s what I like about talent shows. It is pure entertainment and clean. You are looking at extraordinary talent, and in a country like ours where literally on every corner, there is so much talent, and there is just so much creativity, but there is no outlet for it. There are no platforms for it. This is a way where you can come and showcase the talent of so many people who have made their lives and careers out of it, and why not? Look at their origin; there would be no chance for them. They come out that the talent shines, and they pull their families out of so much misery. That’s how it is in our country, you know. So, the challenges of what happens here are different when I look at the talent because this is so much of that talent that I look for something indefinable.
The charisma in a person can’t be taught. You either have it, or you don’t have it. And I’m fascinated by it because you can’t teach it. So, I do look for that charisma. I love to have a talent with a great attitude and great charisma. It is something that I always look for because, you know, you can be very talented, but it’s your attitude that takes you forward, gives you a career out of it, and makes you who you are. So, I look for all those factors, not just how talented a person is.
On Fighting Cancer
” When you undergo something like that and know you have limited time, the clarity that comes with that ia amazing. My Perspective has changed. I realised that importance of mental a Health, of Being positive and loving myself.”
What upcoming projects are you working on that your fans can look forward to.
I’m really looking forward to some great roles. I’m waiting for those scripts to come to me. The character Mina is so special to me in the drama ‘The Broken News’. I waited a long time to get a character who was my age. It had a sense of style and was very relevant today. People from all generations can relate to it. If my son sees it, he will understand this topic. It was relevant.
I’m looking forward to more strong characters and waiting for those scripts. In the meantime, there are certain other things that I am working on, which are what I call my personal projects, and hopefully, in a couple of months or by the end of the year, I should be able to tell you what those personal projects are. In different ways, it was a beautiful time for me. My son is studying, and I have time to be creative, and I will make the most of it.
What is your biggest strength? And the most significant weakness?
My biggest weakness is self-doubt or undermining myself; my biggest strength is knowing my weaknesses.
Reflecting on your iconic roles, which character has profoundly impacted you most?
My iconic role is yet to come, and I’m looking for those in these second innings. I hope to answer this question 10-15 years down the line! My fingers are crossed.
How do you balance your personal and professional life as a working woman, especially after overcoming such a significant health challenge?
Work and personal life balance is something for which you don’t really need to go through a health scare. It’s something that is every day, and all of us need to kind of find the balance very difficult because there is so much we need to do; what has helped me is that it’s been a struggle, but I have accepted the fact that contrary to what I am always told that is a woman is a multitasker. I have accepted the fact that I am not a multitasker. I cannot do many things at a time. If I can focus on one thing, I need to be organised for the rest. And people around me need to understand that! I cannot run around like a headless chicken trying to do multiple things! Contrary to what everybody says, my husband, Goldie, is a multitasker in our relationship. I like to take my time on things.
What advice would you give aspiring actors looking to make it big in the industry?
Artists today who ‘aspire to be actors’ come so well prepared that I don’t think I can advise them. I want to get advice from them because they are very well prepared and do a lot. I am amazed at their energy and what they put in. So I would like to learn from the younger actors. There is so much to learn from them. The world is changing so much, and how they adapt to it is so amazing. I’m fascinated by them.
Which actor/actress do you like the most and why?
I can’t say this for any actor or actress, but Mr Bachchan is iconic. I am a huge fan of Madhuri Dixit. I love her. She is amazing. Another actor that I am really fond of is this girl called Sai Pallavi. I love her. She is so talented and amazing.
I look forward to seeing her career graph because she is so interesting as an actor.
