Actress Sonali Bendre, who quit India’s Best Dramebaaz after she was diagnosed with cancer in July 2018, is back in action with Dance India Dance (DID) Li’l Masters Season 5.
In a recent interview with BT the actress talked about it and shared, “I have been away from the screen for nearly four years, but it seems like the whole world has changed since then. In fact, it has changed for everyone with COVID-19. I had to exit India’s Best Dramebaaz abruptly. With my comeback, it feels that I will complete a journey that I started in 2018.”
Sonali also talked about her journey after surviving cancer, overcoming the need to look perfect, the impact of the pandemic, and more. Talking about the long break, Sonali said, “My body had gone through so much and I needed to recover, so I started focusing on regaining my strength. When I returned from New York after my treatment in December 2018, I came in a wheelchair, but I did not want to walk out of the airport like that. So, I held on to Goldie (her husband) and decided that I am going to walk out without a wheelchair. A reality show is physically demanding and one is expected to spend many hours shooting for it. So, I needed strength to be able to go out and do it. I feel my body has done well. I am now ready to go back and get to where I was. Yes, it’s been a four-year pause, but I am back (smiles).
When asked about the one change that the audience will get to see in her, Sonali shared, “They will see me with shorter hair (laughs!). So yes, there are definitely those physical changes after having gone through what I did. I think I will have more fun on the show than I ever did. You always get caught up with your physical appearance — Is my hair okay? Are my clothes okay? However, this time around, I will focus more on the process and enjoy every minute of the shooting a lot more. I have understood that you have to be in the moment and enjoy it, especially when you’ve been so near death.”
She added, “The body has changed so much after losing hair and having a huge scar on it. I understand that I can’t be perfect and there is no need for it. I have learned to accept the fact that there is beauty in imperfection too.
In a profession that demands you to look a certain way most of the time, it must be a challenge to sometimes just let things be…
There are times when I still fall back into the pattern of feeling insecure about how I am looking, but then it’s a process where I tell myself — that’s not the only thing. It’s not just about how I look or dress. It’s about what I am as a person and what I bring to the table. Also, as I said, I genuinely feel that you have to enjoy what’s unfolding in front of you. If you look at it with kindness and love, you will enjoy it a lot more. That’s what I intend to do — enjoy the process of being on this reality show. And it’s not difficult as we have so much talent. In a country like ours, talent shows are like a little gateway into another universe.”
Talking about her social media share on Cancer Survivors Day (June 6), where she wrote, “I see the will to not let the C-word define how my life will be after it…”, Sonali said, “When I went on this journey, there were two hashtags that I started — #OneDayAtATime and #SwitchOnTheSunshine. I have lived like that and will continue following it. With ‘one day at a time’, what I mean to say is that make the most out of the day that’s been given to you. When I say ‘switch on the sunshine’, I also mean that I want to do work and be around people who give me joy. It’s the same with COVID. Nobody in this world is untouched by it. We have all seen horror stories and sad situations, but we, as humanity, have pulled through. Human beings have that resilience. Adversity has shown me that there is more in me and I am going to use that, take the joy from it, enjoy every single day that comes to me, and be grateful.”
When asked about her plans for movies, TV, or OTT, Sonali said, “Yes, but I can’t tell you any more about it just now. I am not at liberty to talk about it yet.”
We wish Sonali good health, happiness, and all the best for her future endeavors.