Sonali Bendre talks about why cancer remains a taboo: 'Even I said, 'How can this happen to me?''

Sonali Bendre is known mainly for her roles in Hindi and Telugu films. Rising to fame in the 1990s and early 2000s, she initially started as a model before making her acting debut with the movie 'Aag' in 1994. In an interview, she opened up about her experience with cancer and how discussing the illness was once surrounded by stigma.

Opening Up About Her Diagnosis and Treatment

While talking to Bollywood Bubble, Sonali was asked about addressing cancer myths during her healing process, she explained that it was not something she initially planned to do. While working on a project with weekly episode releases, she needed to take time off for her treatment. Concerned that her absence might lead to rumours or misunderstandings, she chose to be open about her situation. She wanted to clarify that her time away was not due to any personal conflicts but because she was undergoing necessary medical care, and it was acceptable for someone else to step in during her absence.

The actress explained that she wasn’t sure if she would return to work, highlighting the uncertainty she faced during that time. Sonali felt it was important to share her situation openly to prevent gossip and misinformation, especially since news was spreading rapidly on the internet and social media. With her son growing up-almost 13 at the time-and messages circulating on WhatsApp, her parents were hearing inaccurate rumors, which she wanted to stop. Her goal was to provide clear and truthful information about what was happening, avoiding any falsehoods. The response to her openness was overwhelming, as people from all walks of life, both within India and abroad, reached out. Many had experienced cancer themselves, knew someone affected by it, or were currently battling the disease.

Cancer: A Common Yet Taboo Topic

Bendre reflected on how cancer, despite being common, was rarely discussed and often felt like a taboo topic, especially during her school years. She admitted that although she considered herself knowledgeable and experienced, she was unaware of how widespread the disease actually is. She said, “Even I said, ‘How can this happen to me?’ or ‘This happens rarely.’ And that’s the biggest lie.” She realized that cancer is not a rare occurrence; it has existed since the Middle Ages and across various civilizations. This lack of open conversation made her diagnosis all the more surprising and prompted her to question why such a prevalent illness remains largely unspoken about.

The Importance of Awareness and Early Detection

During the same interview, Sonali shared that as she began to understand cancer better, she realized it was rarely discussed openly. She learned that if the disease is caught early, it can be cured, meaning death is not inevitable. However, early detection depends on awareness, and without people talking about it, awareness remains low. Recognizing this gap, she felt compelled to speak out. She also acknowledged that being a public figure gives her a platform because people tend to listen to well-known personalities, which motivated her to raise awareness about cancer.

Responsibility in Speaking Out

Continuing, the actress expressed frustration about being asked to speak on many topics she knew little about, describing much of it as nonsense. She admitted that when she was younger, she often wanted to share her opinions, believing she was knowledgeable, but later realized she didn’t know much-especially about cancer, a disease that is widespread and rampant. She questioned whether having a recognizable name and face automatically grants the right to speak on everything, emphasizing that “Just because I have a recognisable name and face, does that give me the right to talk about anything and everything? No. I need to be responsible.”

Sharing Her Personal Journey

The actress explained that she felt the only subject she could authentically discuss was her own experience, since she was living through it. She acknowledged uncertainty about the future but committed to staying positive. Her aim was to raise awareness and remove the stigma surrounding cancer, hoping it would become a normal topic of conversation where regular testing is common and not considered shameful. She emphasized that “You discover it early, you treat it, and you don’t lose lives,” highlighting the critical importance of early detection and treatment.

A Personal and Honest Approach

Concluding, Sonali explained that she is a private person who doesn’t usually like talking about her experiences, but she promised herself never to lie about her cancer journey. She only speaks about what she personally went through and what helped her, without suggesting it will work for everyone. She believes that “there’s a thought process to everything,” and by sharing her own, others can discover their own unique path. She emphasized that “Everybody’s cancer is different, and you have to find your own way and talk to your own body,” highlighting the importance of a personalized approach to healing.