It was a Wednesday, July 4, 2018, when the whole world went in for a momentary shock as Sonali Bendre revealed on her social media handles that she is diagnosed with high-grade metastatic cancer. Sonali then went to the Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, US, for the treatment and her husband, Goldie Behl and son, Ranveer Behl ensured to make frequent visits to her. Sonali came back to Mumbai after a few months and labelled it as an ‘interval’ from her cancer journey. Sonali recently went ‘back home and back to #MyNewNormal’ for further treatment sessions. (Also Read: Sonali Bendre Shares A Cryptic Post About Her Cancer, Goes Back To Treatment, Calls It 'New Normal')
Sonali Bendre featured on her first advertisement post diagnosed with cancer, giving out a strong message to every mother that it is alright to not know everything. Narrating a story of her grandma, Sonali wrote, “I once saw my grandmother tie a knot on the tail of her saree’s pallu. As a curious child, I asked her why she did it. She said she couldn’t remember everything all the time, so this knot would keep reminding her what she needs to do. I want you to also do this today. Tie a knot and take a pledge to share your #MujheSabNahiPata #IDidntKnow stories. Your story could help another mother be better prepared. I nominate @ruchitarambles and @chandrama_poetry to tie the protection knot and share their stories #MujheSabNahiPata @allout”.
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In an interaction with Rajeev Masand, Sonali Bendre revealed that she didn’t want to leave Mumbai and go to New York for the treatment, but it was her husband, Goldie Behl who insisted her to go. Sonali had said, “It was my husband who dragged me there. I fought with him all the way like why are you doing this. We have doctors here, why are you taking me away. My life, my home in three days, we literally just packed and left. I don't know what is happening why are we going through this.” Sonali continued, “But he was just quiet through the whole thing and just focussed. In the day, he was organising and in the night, because New York was awake, he was again organising. So, I got him to actually crib about the whole thing on the flight. Through the flight, I cribbed. I was venting.”
On Day 2 of India Today Conclave 2, Sonali Bendre spoke about her journey with cancer, switching on the positivity in her life and on her family being her constant support system. Beginning with her journey of being fearless and how her family reacted on her decision to join movies, Sonali Bendre stated, “I am still asking myself 'Why I am doing it?' Every time I feel fearful of something now, I do it. Fear no longer has any place in my life. I had forgotten to be fearless. I realised I was fearless. I came to an industry, I had no idea about. I came from a very middle class Maharashtrian family. It was a big step to get into movies. My family was shocked. But I was so fearless to make this decision. But I didn't realise with time, I had become fearful, especially when I turned into a parent. For Goldie and me, it has been a journey of being fearless. Of course, the journey continues. The best part is I am alive and I am here, and I cannot thank the Universe enough.”
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Sonali Bendre further talked about how she came up with the hashtag #OneDayAtATime and her ‘no hair’ phase, “Honestly, it is easier. A lot of baggage is off. Somewhere I realised, I was hiding a lot behind my hair. It is nice to look at it from all angles. My body is different, but I am making peace with it. It takes a lot of threshold to do that. I will be ok with my imperfections. I will find beauty in them. I have endorsed every hair product in my career. Looks have been my bread, butter, jam. Looks are important in our society. But considering that was the career, it has been scary. Because considering the world as I know it turned upside down or was no more there and when I came to know that I have cancer, I got my team together and told them about it. I told them that I have a disease, as a brand I endorse healthy products and a certain way of looks. I told them my brand was over.” (Also Read: Mira Rajput Kapoor And Ishaan Khatter's Funny Banter On Instagram Is Giving Major Bhabhi-Devar Goals)
The Hum Saath Saath Hai actress went on to add, “I told them that I was going for this treatment and I don't know where this goes. They told me that we are in it with you and they have been with me wonderfully. I told them what I don't want is pity and sympathy. I don't believe in it. I will feel it. Goldie always said one day at a time. Hence, the hashtag.”
Revealing how the negative thoughts after getting diagnosed with cancer turned into positive thoughts, and why she shared the news with her fans on social media, Sonali Bendre said, “Everyone said, 'Your lifestyle was never like that. How did it happen to you?' I actually thought that it was me doing something wrong and that I have caused it. I actually went to a psychiatrist in New York because I was like, 'I don't understand what is happening to me. I'm not a negative person, I have a lot of positive thoughts. Am I being delusional and sweeping under the carpet? Do I actually have negative thoughts and I am burying it so deep in my sub-conscience that I don't realise it?' I needed to understand what was happening to me. The line that he said is the hoarding for me in my life.” (Also Read: Alia Bhatt Celebrates Her 26th Birthday With Beau Ranbir Kapoor And Parents Mahesh Bhatt-Soni Razdan)
Don’t you agree with #MujheSabNahiPata? Keep us posted!
