Sonali Bendre Embraces Positive Roles After Cancer Recovery

Sonali Bendre, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2018, has made a conscious shift in her career choices since recovering from the illness. The actor returned to the screen in 2022 with the web series The Broken News and also appeared as a judge on the dance reality show DID Li'l Masters. Following her recovery, Sonali decided to avoid emotionally heavy and dark roles, focusing instead on projects that would uplift her.

In a conversation with News18, Sonali explained her approach, saying, “I really wanted to play hopeful and lighter roles that would’ve kept me happy through it all, and I could’ve come back pepped up. I wanted work like that, especially since I had been through a really dark period. I was coming out of it and didn’t want to do work that would trigger me and make me spiral.”

Despite her preference for light-hearted projects, Sonali recently took on a dark and intense role in the show Raakh. She admitted that this was not the type of work she had been seeking, but the compelling script, her character, and the team involved made it impossible for her to decline. “Raakh wasn’t something I was looking for. I wasn’t open to it, but it came my way. It just goes to show how compelling the content was,” she shared.

Sonali expressed her hope that more creators and directors would cast her in roles outside the usual mold. Although she wished for more screen time in Raakh, she views the project as a stepping stone for future opportunities. “It’s not the length I like. I would’ve loved to see more of me in the series. But I’m glad I took the chance because it has been an exceptionally amazing experience,” she said.

Reflecting on the evolving landscape of storytelling in the film and television industry, Sonali expressed gratitude for the roles she is now being offered. “The age I’m at, if I were this age in the nineties when I had started out, I wouldn’t have gotten the roles I’m getting today. That’s why I say I’m in a good space. But can it get better? Of course, it can, and I hope it does,” she remarked.

Currently, Sonali stars in Raakh, a mystery-thriller series alongside Ali Fazal and Aamir Bashir. Directed by Prosit Roy and co-written by Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket, the show began streaming on Prime Video in India on June 12.