Sonali Bendre was the OG national crush. Much before the crown went to the likes of Rashmika Mandanna and Triptii Dimiri, she mesmerised fans all over with her come-fall-in-love-with-me face. There was no social media during her heyday but going by the glowing references to her even now on the internet, we have no doubt she’d have dominated the socials scene. But there’s steel beneath her velvet glove persona, evident from the fact that she successfully battled stage four cancer and became cancer-free in 2021. She blazed her way into our hearts after surviving cancer though her gritty performance in the OTT show The Broken News (2022). The second season of the series too is being appreciated and Sonali is thankful for all the love coming her way. Presenting excerpts from an engaging interview with the original diva, where she talks about her past and looks forward to the future.

HOW EXCITING WAS IT TO PLAY A JOURNALIST ON SCREEN IN BROKEN NEWS, BEING AN ACTOR WHOSE EVERYDAY JOB INCLUDES DEALING WITH THE MEDIA?

As an actor, I have always been surrounded by journalists, many of whom have become dear friends. In the days before social media, journalists were our primary means of communication. There was always a slight defensiveness towards them. When I played the role in Broken News, I stepped into the journalist’s shoes and gained an understanding of their expectations and the pressures they face. It’s not just about the journalist approaching you; it’s about what is expected in the current moment. Today, it’s all about clickbait, whereas back then, it was about the headline and the pressure journalists faced to secure that quote. So, I sympathise with them.

YOU MENTIONED SOCIAL MEDIA. HOW MUCH DOES ITS POWER AFFECT YOU?