Sonali Bendre stunned by fan's '90s suicide incident
What's the story
In a recent episode of Mid-Day's The Bombay Film Podcast, Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre expressed shock upon learning about a fan's suicide in Bhopal during the 1990s. The host, Mayank Shekhar, informed her of the tragic incident where a fan jumped off a lake after failing to meet her. "Yeh sach hai? [Is it true?] How can someone...," responded an astounded Bendre.
Extreme obsession
Bendre reflected on intense '90s fan culture
Bendre also delved into the intense fan culture of the '90s, recalling instances of receiving fan mails that she suspected were written in actual blood. "There'd be fan mails. We wondered to test if it was in actual blood. I'd be shattered if it was," she said. The actor expressed her bewilderment at such extreme obsession for movie stars and questioned why people would place humans on such high pedestals from which they are bound to fall.
Humble beginnings
Bendre credited parents for keeping her grounded
Reflecting on her early career, Bendre shared that she started as a teenage model before becoming a Bollywood star. She attributed her grounded nature to her upbringing and parents who ensured she remained humble despite her fame. "When I went back home, my parents saw to it that they grounded me," the actor revealed, emphasizing the role of her family in maintaining balance amidst stardom.
Grounded stardom
Bendre's approach to fame and relationships
Bendre also disclosed that she never felt the need to constantly be in the limelight or attend parties as an actor. She preferred taking her time to get acquainted with people, deciding who she could be friendly with and who she needed to maintain distance from. According to Bendre, this understanding helped her stay grounded throughout her career.