Sonali Bendre He talks about his journey in films, the pressures of stardom, battling self-doubt and how surviving cancer transformed his understanding of success. Reflecting on his career, the actor specifically revisited the legacy of Sarfarosh and revealed that the film was initially dismissed by many.Talking about the film’s impact, Sonali told Variety India, “My films weren’t commercially successful or called successful but Sarfarosh, when it came out, people wrote it off as a documentary. I don’t know if you remember that, but that’s how they wrote it.”He added that even when the film eventually became a success, it did not receive the recognition he had hoped for. “When it did well everyone was surprised that Sarfarosh did well and I remember critics saying I was the comic relief in the film. So I wasn’t the lead actor… I said, ‘Hey, I finally have a hit movie. Hopefully I’ll be nominated.” And then they said, ‘Oh, yes, but that wasn’t your film. You were just the comic relief.“So I was never nominated for that anyway.”
“The best is yet to come”
Despite this disappointment, Sonali said that she has always tried to focus on improving herself rather than chasing fame. Recalling her early years in the industry, she admitted that she got into films almost by accident after participating in a college fashion show when another participant injured herself.“That was the first time I started to look at it differently. What is this field? What is that kind of money? I never understood that there could be that kind of money,” she said, recalling how modeling work slowly led to film.The actor also shared that he never imagined becoming an actor while growing up in a conservative Maharashtrian household. “There were engineers, doctors, IAS officers. Films were a rare thing and film magazines were not something that entered my house,” he said.Sonali revealed that she also landed the Stardust Academy audition by mistake, thinking it was for an advertisement. “I said, ‘But I’m not interested in being an actor. No, I’m going back.'” But they convinced my family,” he recalled.Looking at today’s performances, he said he still feels he could have done better. “For me to this day if you ask me I feel like the best is yet to come.”
“I never enjoyed the process”
The actor also reflected on how his cancer diagnosis changed his approach to work and life. Sonali said the hiatus forced her to reconsider her relationship with the actor.“I realized all along that I was doubting myself because I wasn’t a trained actor. I’ve always doubted my abilities so much that I never really enjoyed the process,” she admitted.He added that after his recovery, he began to approach work in a different way. “I realize when I do it today and I feel like I should have… I’ve been given a second chance. I should take advantage of it.”Sonali also spoke about losing her job of nearly five years during the boom of streaming platforms due to her illness. However, she thanked OTT platforms and multiplex cinema for creating space for more layered female characters.“I didn’t want to keep doing roles that weren’t age appropriate. I wanted to act gracefully at my age,” he said, adding that projects like Broken News finally gave him that opportunity.
“Comedy is something I would love to do”
During the interaction, Sonali also revealed that comedy remains a genre she wants to explore more seriously.“I really feel that comedy is something I would love to do,” he said, recalling how he found time for his comic while working on films like Sarfarosh and Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega.“I want to see something nice and light and hopeful… It doesn’t have to be heavy and dark all the time,” he added.Talking about the changing film industry, Sonali also highlighted how today’s sets are more inclusive of women technicians and actors. He recalled that the actors did not have a van and often spent entire days filming without basic facilities.
Bollywood was male dominated
Addressing the conversation about male stars as actors of the same generation disappear from the mainstream, Sonali said the issue reflects the society.“The industry is just a microcosm of society,” he said. “It’s the responsibility of the audience that’s going and watching. If they stop watching, they won’t make films like this.”While change is needed, she added, the rise of OTT platforms and new storytelling formats is gradually creating more opportunities for female-led narratives and age-appropriate roles.
