Sonali Bendre Chose ‘Hopeful’ Roles After Cancer Battle: ‘I Didn’t Want to Be Triggered’

The actor, who returned to acting with the web series The Broken News in 2022 and also appeared.

As a judge on DID Li’l Masters, revealed that she initially sought only uplifting and hopeful projects, avoiding roles that could emotionally drain or trigger her. “After going through such a dark phase, I wanted to do work that felt hopeful and light. I wanted projects that would leave me feeling positive and energised,” Sonali said.

She admitted that darker stories were not something she was actively looking for at the time. “I was coming out of a difficult period and didn’t want to take up work that could trigger me or pull me back into that space,” she explained.

The actor recalled the joy she experienced while working on the 2001 comedy Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, saying she longed for similar feel-good stories after her recovery.

“It was such a fun film to shoot. Saif Ali Khan and I had a wonderful time, and the atmosphere on set was amazing. There aren’t too many light-hearted, entertaining stories like that being written anymore,” she said.

Given that mindset, Sonali acknowledged that her latest project, Raakh, was far from the kind of role she had envisioned for herself after her cancer battle. However, the strength of the script and the character ultimately convinced her to sign on.

“Raakh wasn’t something I was looking for. I wasn’t open to doing something like that initially, but the material was impossible to ignore. The script, the character and the team were all so compelling that I simply couldn’t say no,” she said.

The actor hopes the series encourages filmmakers to see her in a new light and consider her for more layered and unconventional roles.

“I hope I continue getting projects that challenge me in the same way. Sometimes I felt people didn’t see me as someone who could play these kinds of characters, but clearly someone did. It took time, but I’m happy the opportunity came my way,” she said.

While Sonali admitted she would have liked a larger role in Raakh, she has no regrets about being part of the project.

“I would have loved more screen time, but taking that chance turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience,” she said.

Reflecting on the current entertainment landscape, Sonali expressed gratitude for the variety of stories now being told and the opportunities available to actors at different stages of their careers.

“At this age, if I had been working in the 1990s, I probably wouldn’t have been offered the kind of roles I get today. The industry has changed and there is room for so many different stories now. Of course, things can always get better, but I’m grateful for where I am and for the opportunities that exist today,” she added.