Why Sonali Bendre chose 'lighter roles' after cancer battle
What's the story
Actor Sonali Bendre, who was diagnosed with stage four metastatic cancer in 2018, is now back to acting. After her recovery, she made a comeback in 2022 with the web series The Broken News and also judged the dance reality show DID Li'l Masters. In a recent interview with News18, she revealed that she consciously chose lighter roles after her battle with cancer as intense roles could have emotionally drained her.
Role selection
'Didn't want to do work that would trigger me'
Speaking to the outlet, Bendre said, "I really wanted to play hopeful and lighter roles that would've kept me happy through it all." "I wanted work like that, especially since I had been through a really dark period." "I was coming out of it and didn't want to do work that would trigger me and make me spiral."
Role evolution
'The script was so amazing, and so was my character...'
Interestingly, her latest show, Raakh, which is a dark and intense watch, was never on her list. But the project came to her, and she couldn't say no. "Raakh wasn't something I was looking for. I wasn't open to it, but it came my way. It just goes to show how compelling the content was." "The script was so amazing, and so was my character and the entire team involved. There was no way I could've said no to it."
Career perspective
Bendre wanted more screen time in 'Raakh'
Bendre expressed her desire for more screen time in Raakh but remains grateful for the opportunity. "It's not the length I like. I would've loved to see more of me in the series. But I'm glad I took the chance because it has been an exceptionally amazing experience." She also acknowledged that many filmmakers today are still figuring out how to cast her, but instead of dwelling on that, she looks at the positive side.
Career reflection
'There are so many ways of storytelling...'
Bendre said, "The age I'm at, if I was this age in the nineties when I had started out, I wouldn't have gotten the roles I'm getting today." "That's why I say I'm in a good space. But can it get better? Of course, it can, and I hope it does." "But there are so many ways of storytelling and so many stories being told now." "At that time...where was the scope of telling these stories? I'm...grateful for what's there."