Sonali Bendre, the award-winning actress renowned for her roles in films like Diljale, Sarfarosh, and Hum Saath Saath Hain, recently released her second book, A Book of Books. In an exclusive interview with PTI, the actress shared her thoughts on her evolving career as an author, her deep respect for literature, and her passion for reading.
Though she made her debut as an author in 2015 with The Modern Gurukul: My Experiment with Parenting, Bendre is quick to clarify that she doesn’t yet consider herself an author. “I’ll call myself an author only if I write 20 books, not before that,” she said. “I have mad respect for authors—the way they write, how they transport you to different worlds, and how they make you think. Only an author can do that.”
Despite her success as an actress, Bendre sees writing as another outlet for her creativity. “Being a public figure allows me the privilege to write and engage in meaningful conversations, but I’ve always viewed myself primarily as an actor. Writing is a creative endeavor, and as a creative person, I express myself in many different ways,” she added.
Bendre’s dedication to literature also led her to launch Sonali’s Book Club, an online community celebrating books and encouraging discussion. A Book of Books is a continuation of this mission. The book, which features colorful illustrations by Rohina Thapar, offers reading suggestions for children, young adults, and adults alike, aiming to inspire a love for reading across generations. Bendre’s goal is simple yet profound: to emphasize the importance of reading, particularly from a young age.
“I’ve been a book lover since childhood, and I would choose books over movies any day,” she confessed. “Books are such an important part of my life. I also feel that book-to-screen adaptations rarely capture the essence of the original work.” However, she made an exception for Dune, the epic space opera film franchise adapted from Frank Herbert’s novels, which she believes comes close to doing justice to the source material.
Bendre is also actively exploring opportunities in the film industry to adapt books into movies, either through production or by portraying a character in an adapted work. “I’m still looking for the right book for adaptation,” she said. “But I’m hopeful that I will find it.” Her fellow Hum Saath Saath Hain co-star, Saif Ali Khan, also shares her passion for reading, and Bendre enjoys exchanging book recommendations with him.
While her professional life has seen several pauses—first after becoming a mother to her son, Ranveer, in 2005, and later following her cancer diagnosis in 2018—Bendre has always remained connected to her creative side. During her recovery, books played a crucial role in her healing process. She credits reading, especially a book on tennis icon Serena Williams, as a key source of inspiration. “Reading about Serena Williams’ struggles and triumphant return after challenging pregnancies really motivated me,” Bendre shared. “It was about not just recovering but becoming better than I was.”
After her recovery, Bendre returned to acting in 2022 with the ZEE5 web series The Broken News, with its second season airing last year. However, despite her ongoing work in television, Bendre remains keen on expanding her literary portfolio. “There are so many stories and characters that stay with me, but I don’t yet feel ready to take them all the way to a full book. One day, perhaps, when I have more time, I might bring them all together and write something. You never say never,” she said.
The Book of Books, priced at Rs 599, is available for purchase in both online and offline stores.
