Actor Sonali Bendre has undoubtedly been one of the most popular actresses in Bollywood. She has won countless hearts across decades with not just her exceptional acting abilities, but also for her breathtaking beauty and charismatic personality.
And since she has shifted to the small screen, her popularity has only soared. But it was not always so for the 50-year-old actor.
In a latest interview, Bendre revealed how her decision to do television was not welcomed with open arms. But looking back, she calls it the "best thing" she ever did - a move that gave her career a fresh lease of life along with a great pay check.
Bendre first appeared on television in "Kya Masti Kya Dhoom....!" after the success of her films "Hum Saath Saath Hai" and "Sarfarosh".
Recalling how her decision to switch to the small screen made people question her sensibilities.
"Everybody thought I had lost the plot because television was not the thing to do. It was like, ‘Why are they doing TV?’ But it was a great show, I loved the concept of that show, and I thought it was a fantastic paycheck," Bendre said.
She even credited her partner at the time, and now her husband, Goldie Behl, for supporting her decision. "This (TV) is the future, television is going to become big (Goldie said). I listened to him and said, 'Let me do it'". It was the best thing I did," the actor said.
Bendre went on to judge reality shows like "Indian Idol 4", "India's Got Talent", "Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz", "India's Best Dramebaaz", "India's Best Dancer 3".
In fact, according to Bendre, it was television that helped her remain relevant.
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"The kids (on her first reality show) who used to see me at that time are all grown up now, and they still remember me. So, as a celebrity, your life is as long as your fans remember you. I got a great lease of life. At that time, people used to say that you are doing TV, but it just gave me an amazing lease of life, which I didn't think that's what would happen, but it did happen," she added.
Besides, working in television offered her the opportunity for a healthy work-life balance, which became a crucial factor since she wanted to be present for her son during his formative years.
Sonali is currently hosting the show "Pati Patni Aur Panga" that features popular celebrity couples such as Debinna Bonnerjee-Gurmeet Choudhary, Hina Khan-Rocky Jaiswal, Rubina Dilaik-Abhinav Shukla, Avika Gor-Milind Chandwani, Swara Bhasker-Fahad Ahmad, Geeta Phogat-Pawan Kumar, and Sudesh Lehri-Mamta Lehri.
The show, which premiered on Saturday on Colors Channel, will see celebrity couples competing against each other as they take on fun challenges.
Talking about the show, Bendre said the show is unlike anything she has done before.
"You are holding the whole show together; you talk to the contestants, and more so to those who are not opening up. Besides, it's not scripted. It is a challenge, but I’m enjoying it," she concluded.
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