Sonali Bendre On Surviving Cancer: 'It’s Not A Badge I Want To Wear And Move Around’

Sonali Bendre has been a picture of strength and determination in her fight against cancer to millions over the past one year. The actor was diagnosed with high grade cancer. Instead of hiding it, she chose to share it with the world and, in return, got support from all quarters. Now that the actor is back in India, she says being a cancer survivor is not a badge she wants to wear and move around with.

Speaking at a FICCI event in Jaipur, the actor opened up about her fight with the disease. One of the points she hasn’t spoke much about is being a cancer survivor. At the event, parallels were drawn between her fight and that of actor Manisha Koirala. Sonali said that while Manisha, played Nargis Dutt (who died of pancreatic cancer) in Sanju when she was cancer free, for her it was different. She said she was not willing to take up any roles that have anything to do with cancer. “Manisha made a comeback when she was cancer free. I am not yet. My journey is a little different. I don’t think I would ever want to play the role of a cancer survivor and relive all those painful moments. There is so much to me than just being a cancer survivor. It is not a badge I want to wear and move around. The only reason I talk about it is that nobody discusses it. I am not a doctor or scientist. But if me coming out and discussing it is getting people to talk about it, then I think it’s my duty to talk about it instead of wallowing in self-pity,” she was quoted in Times of India as saying.

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Speaking about seeing her body change during the process of her treatment, she revealed how losing her hair and facing her body was scary. “I have always had poker straight hair. I am hoping that these little twists that I am seeing how in my hair really last. And in this second round of life, I want slightly wavy hair so that my blow-dries are a little better. I am not looking for perfection anymore.”

Sonali also spoke about how her husband Goldie Behl and she revealed the news of her illness to their son Ranveer. “Telling him about my cancer was both instinctive and selfish. Goldie and I felt that he is such an important part of the family and if something so huge is happening, he needed to be included in it. That was out instinct. The second thing was a very selfish motive. I didn’t know where I was heading. Whatever time was left, I wanted him with me. It was as simple as that.”