At a time when we have a new national monthly every month, Sonali Bendre It’s called the “OG National crush.” He is still remembered as one of the most striking faces of the 90s and has loyal fans over the years. But long before fame and admiration, she was just a schoolgirl dealing with teasing and unsolicited remarks about her looks.In a post-recession chat with Lehren Retro, Sonali Bendre reflected on those early years without a trace of resentment. When asked if she received compliments for her looks during her school and college days, Sonali candidly shared, “Compliments? I mean, some of them. See, if you ask me about my compliments, I get a lot of compliments now, but I used to get a lot of bricks too, like they pulled my leg a lot. I guess you’ll have to ask me about those days. Right now, everyone is on this big journey of “what a picture” and this and that. But at one time I was so thin that I was teased for it. They called me lamppost, giraffe, because I have a long neck, which is rewarding now. Abhi wohi neck sabko acchi lagti hai, but I was teased so much during my school and college days. But then the thing was, it never mattered. I also got very sporty. I mean, well, if I like that, I like that. That’s it.”Speaking about her popularity at school, she confidently added: “I was very popular, period. Not only was I popular with the boys, but I was also popular with my teachers, so there’s that.”She made her acting debut with Aag (1994) opposite Govinda. He starred in several successful films including Duplicate (1998), Major Saab (1998), Zakhm (1998), Sarfarosh (1999). Aamir Khanand Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999), among others. On the personal front, Sonali is married to a filmmaker Goldie Behl. The two first met on the sets of ‘Naaraaz’. They tied the knot on 12 November 2002 in Mumbai. The couple welcomed their son, Ranveer, in 2005.
