For B’day Girl Sonali Bendre, It’s a Journey of Courage & Love

The year 2018 has been rather momentous for the actor.

Sonali Bendre turns 43. 

(Photo Courtesy: Instagram)

Sonali Bendre turns a year older on 1 January. The year 2018 has been rather momentous for the 43-year-old. The actor was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and has spent the larger part of the year in the US undergoing treatment.

She spent the last festive month of the year with her family in Mumbai for an “interval”, and bid 2018 adieu with a picture of herself and this message: “Throwback to my last blow-dry before I cut my hair. Now that my hair is gradually growing back.... Maybe I can look forward to another blow-dry in 2019! This journey has been immense, and has taught me so so much.... From being in awe of the body's willingness and capacity to fight and heal and recover to overwhelming gratitude to the people who have stood by me and been pillars of strength to being reminded of life's transience and that things come and go (much like my hair). Here's looking towards a healthier and happier 2019. Onwards and upwards... #SwitchOnTheSunshine#OneDayAtATime”.

The actor cut off her hair as part of the treatment around July last year, and was brave enough to record the stages on social media.

In fact, she even set a precedent by sharing plenty of pictures with her head completely shaved - something not many women - celeb or otherwise - would dare to do. She wrote:

Over the past couple of months, I have had good days and bad ones. There have been days when I’ve been so exhausted and in so much pain that even lifting a finger hurt. I feel like sometimes it’s a cycle… one that starts off with physical pain and leads to mental and emotional pain. The bad days have been many… Post chemo, post-surgery and the like… where even just laughing hurts.

Sonali Bendre

“Sometimes it felt like it took everything I’ve had to push past it… a minute to minute battle with myself. I got through it knowing that even though I was fighting a long drawn out, draining battle… it was one that was worth the fight.
It’s important to remember that we’re allowed to have those bad days. Forcing yourself to be happy and cheerful all the time serves no purpose. Who are we being fake and putting on an act for?”

The actor has also been sharing her love and gratitude for the support she has received from her family and friends. Her son, Ranveer, who she made a part of her cancer journey, especially has become a huge source of support. Sonali wrote in a post:

“From the moment he was born 12 years, 11 months and 8 days ago, my amazing @rockbehl took ownership of my heart. From then on, his happiness and well-being have been the centre of anything @goldiebehl and I ever did. And so, when the Big C reared its ugly head, our biggest dilemma was what and how we were going to tell him.”  

And it is Ranveer whose “madness and shenanigans” helped her “switch on the sunshine” at this difficult time.

Sonali’s friends too kept visiting her and boosting her confidence.

Sonali, who’s an avid reader, has also started Sonali’s Book Club with Ranveer in the meanwhile.

After my son hosted his first SBC Live, he’s become more enthusiastic about reading, so much so that he has now recommended a book for us!

Here’s wishing you a very happy birthday, Sonali, and get well soon!