New Delhi (India), June 8: Actor Sonali Bendre recently opened up about her evolving bond with Salman Khan and the unexpected emotional support he extended during her battle with cancer.
Bendre recalled how her perception of Salman changed over the years—from playful annoyance on film sets to deep admiration for his empathy.
“Let me put it mildly, we were not the best of friends back then,” she said, referring to their time together shooting Hum Saath Saath Hain. “I’ve had my close-ups ruined by him making faces behind the camera. At the time, I was offended.”
However, years later, during one of the most difficult phases of her life—her cancer diagnosis—Salman Khan reached out in ways she never expected.
“He personally visited me in New York twice,” she shared, adding that Salman also called her husband, filmmaker Goldie Behl, with doctor recommendations and advice. “He took it upon himself to ensure we had the best medical care. It was like he’d assumed the role of an elder from the fraternity.”
Describing Salman as “childlike” and “extreme in his care and concern,” Bendre admitted his gesture left a lasting impact. “I’ve had my issues with him, but I’ve grown to appreciate that side of him.”
The two starred together in the 1999 Sooraj Barjatya family drama Hum Saath Saath Hain, a film that still holds nostalgic value for many. Bendre played Preeti, the soft-spoken wife of Khan’s character, Prem.
Now a cancer survivor and an advocate for awareness, Bendre was diagnosed with metastatic cancer in 2018 and underwent treatment in the U.S. She emerged stronger and has since used her journey to inspire others.
On the work front, she made her OTT debut with The Broken News on ZEE5, playing a strong-willed journalist, Amina Qureshi.