Ever since her cancer diagnosis in July, Sonali Bendre has been super candid about her health, progress and her emotions. The actor, who is currently undergoing treatment in New York, had initially chopped off her long locks to a short crop. Soon after, chemotherapy took a toll and Sonali unabashedly Instagrammed a photo where she was bald. Now, the 43-year-old has got herself a wig of long, brown hair.
Sharing a video collage on social media, she wrote: “The way we look has a profound psychological impact on us… A little vanity here and there does no one any harm. It’s important to do what makes you happy, even if it’s something as simple as wearing a wig, bright red lipstick, high heels…. When I was testing out the wigs, I had a brief moment of self-doubt… “Am I vain for wanting to look good?” As part of the entertainment industry, you’re always expected to look good… Maybe that has been ingrained in me? But then I gave it a thought and I realized I like looking good for me. If I’m in the mood to wear a scarf, I will. If I want to walk around bald and free, I will.”
The pressure that actors face to look good has intensified in the recent past — airport looks and gym looks are now legit terms. Moreover, given how quickly and illogically public figures get trolled these days, sharing such personal photographs on social media requires a whole new level of courage. In fact, she had joked on Instagram: “Nowadays I spend far less time getting ready because I don’t have to fuss over my hair!”
It’s not just her fans that she has been brutally honest with. Sonali and her husband Goldie Behl have been forthcoming about the cancer diagnosis with their 13-year-old son Ranveer as well. She wrote on Instagram: “As much as we wanted to protect him, we knew it was important to tell him the full facts. We’ve always been open and honest with him and this time it wasn’t going to be different.”
Sonali’s attitude is nothing short of inspiring. “Each day comes with its own challenges and victories and so for now, I’m taking this #OneDayAtATime. The only thing I’m trying to be consistent about is maintaining a positive outlook… literally #SwitchOnTheSunshine – it’s my way of dealing with this. Sharing my journey is also part of this process… I can only hope it reminds you that all is not lost and that someone, somewhere understands what you’re going through,” she wrote on Instagram. By now, we’re convinced she has nerves of steel.
