MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre has opened up about the challenges she faced during her cancer diagnosis and treatment, explaining how learning to accept her body with love and compassion helped her navigate one of the most difficult periods of her life.
The 51-year-old actress shared her experience during the first episode of Madhuri Dixit’s new programme, where she reflected on her journey with cancer and the lessons she learned along the way.
During the conversation, Madhuri praised Bendre’s courage, noting that her experience with the disease had revealed a strong side of her personality.
Responding to the remarks, Bendre said cancer recovery is often described as winning a battle against the disease. However, she explained that her own approach focused less on fighting and more on understanding why the experience had happened to her and what she could learn from it.
The actress questioned the idea of treating the body as an opponent, pointing out that the body belongs to the individual and that cancer cells also originate within it.
She said the language of fighting or conquering something can sometimes encourage negative thinking. Instead, she tried to approach her body with affection and compassion, even when it was causing her considerable pain.
Bendre acknowledged that loving a body associated with so much suffering was not easy, but said this change in perspective helped her cope with the difficult period.
Sonali Bendre’s Cancer Diagnosis
Bendre was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic cancer in July 2018. Her recent remarks highlight the emotional and personal dimensions of her experience, particularly the importance she placed on self-acceptance alongside medical treatment.
Her reflections offer insight into how she approached the challenges of illness and the role that compassion towards herself played in her journey.