The Indian film industry had a moment of shock when Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre revealed that she has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer, on July 4th, 2018. However, after a fierce battle with the deadly disease, the gallant lady successfully knocked cancer off its perch.
Taking a look back at the time when she came across the cancer news, Sonali says that she had cried an entire night trying to fathom it. But the next morning, she decided to face it head up and let happiness take over.
“After I spent the entire night coming to terms with it, I got up and decided now no more crying and weeping. From now on, there will be happiness. I saw the sun coming up, clicked a picture and shared it with my family and my girls, and said, ‘Girls, Switch on the Sunshine’.”
She realized that her husband Goldie Behl is the person who mattered to her the most. Goldie was also responsible for her hashtags on Instagram – #OneDayataTime and #SwitchontheSunshine.
“Goldie and I are married for 16 years. And when I came to know about cancer, I realised Goldie is the most important person I care about.”
“Goldie said let us get on with this day. Let us survive this day. This is how #OneDayataTime came.”
Apart from Goldie, if there was someone who was there as a pillar of support by Sonali throughout her treatment, it was her best friend Sussanne Khan. Speaking about Sonali’s tough times, Sussanne said,
“Our kids are so mature and understanding, they were there with Ranveer (Sonali’s son) all the time.”
Sonali, who has been a part of blockbusters like Sarfarosh, Hum Saath Saath Hain and Kal Ho Naa Ho, took us through her time of treatment in New York City.
“We decided, let’s make the most of this. We spent some time in New York. We were there with kids. They were amazing. The girls (Sussanne and Gayatri) went, dropped the kids to school and came back. Then it was just us and we really enjoyed the city. There was a little bit of chemo, surgery thrown in between but we had fun.”
Take a bow Sonali Bendre. You are an inspiration for millions.