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Sonali Bendre on Her Journey and the Search for Hopeful Roles

Thursday, June 18, 2026
5 min read
Sonali Bendre on Her Journey and the Search for Hopeful Roles

2018 was when Sonali Bendre got the diagnosis. Stage four metastatic cancer. It was a lot. But she kept going. After surviving that big C battle, she started her second act in 2022 as an actor. Web series stuff, like The Broken News . And then, same year, she tried something completely different judging on a dance reality show, DID Li’l Masters.

She really decided then, though, what kind of work she wanted. She just couldn't handle anything too dark emotionally. It took a toll. She said she needed roles that felt hopeful, lighter things. Something to keep her happy, you know? To come back feeling pepped up again. That was the goal.

“I really wanted to play hopeful and lighter roles,” she told us. “I wanted work like that that would’ve kept me happy through it all and I could’ve come back pepped up.” There was a real need for that kind of thing after going through such a dark period.

She mentioned a film, Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega . That felt good. It was fun. She even joked about the shooting with Saif (Ali Khan). The energy on set was great. She said there aren’t really many stories out there that are just genuinely fun and light-hearted.

But then there was another project, Raakh . A disturbing watch. And she wasn't looking for it. It wasn't on her list. Yet it came along. It just shows how compelling stuff can be. The script felt amazing. Her character, the whole team it was all really strong. She admitted there was no way she could have refused it.

“Raakh wasn’t something I was looking for,” she said. “I wasn’t open to it but it came my way. It just goes to show how compelling the content was.”

She hopes that kind of stuff keeps coming. Stuff she can’t say no to. She also wished more creators and directors would see her in a different light than people usually do. She felt like people weren't seeing her for these kinds of roles. But eventually, someone started seeing it. It took time. She’s glad that finally happened.

She wasn't totally happy with the screen time she got in Raakh . That’s true. But she feels it set something up. A precedent. For other people working with her.

“It’s not the length I like,” she admitted. “I would’ve loved to see more of me in the series.” Still, she took the chance because it was an exceptionally amazing experience. She tried to focus on the good part there.

She talked about age sometimes. If she were this age when she started out in the nineties, she wouldn't have gotten these roles today. That made her feel like she was in a decent space now. But can it get better? Of course it can. There are so many ways to tell stories now. Where was the room for telling those kinds of stories back then? She just feels grateful for what’s out there now, honestly.

Written by Gree News Team — Senior Editorial Board

Gree News Team covers international news and global affairs at Gree News. Our collective of senior editors is dedicated to providing independent, accurate, and responsible journalism for a global audience.

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