Sonali Bendre is my hero, Anupam Kher says after meeting actor battling cancer

Anupam Kher getting introduced to the real Sonali Bendre in the last few days reflects all of us, in a way. We have all known and admired Sonali Bendre as an actor over the years but it is only in the last few weeks that we saw her show grit, determination and grace as she battled cancer. Anupam Kher, who got to know Sonali in the last 15 days in New York, shared this realisation.

“I have done few films with @iamsonalibendre. We’ve met socially many times in Mumbai. She always has been bright & a very warm person. But it is only in the last 15days that I got the opportunity to spend some quality time with her in NY. And I can easily say, ‘She is my HERO,’” he wrote on Twitter. He also posted a photo of Sonali that she had shared after cutting her hair short in July. While Sonali is undergoing treatment for cancer in New York, Anupam is shooting for his new series in the US.

I have done few films with @iamsonalibendre. We’ve met socially many times in Mumbai. She always has been bright & a very warm person. But it is only in the last 15days that I got the opportunity to spend some quality time with her in NY. And I can easily say,"She is my HERO."😍 pic.twitter.com/z6iBe2s7fy

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) August 12, 2018

The 43-year-old actor was diagnosed with high grade cancer a few weeks ago. The actor keeps her fans updated about her life with inspirational posts on social media. On Saturday, she had shared an emotional message for son Ranveer who turned 13. “ “Ranveeeeer! My sun, my moon, my stars, my sky... Okay, maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic, but your 13th birthday deserves this.” Sonali mentioned that she misses being with her son on his special day and wrote: “Wow, you’re a teenager now. Will need some time to wrap my head around that fact. I can’t tell you enough how proud I am of you... Your wit, your humour, your strength, your kindness, and even your mischief. Happy happy birthday, my not-so-little one. It’s the first one that we’re not together... I miss you terribly. Lots and lots of love always and forever.... biiiiig hug!” she wrote.

Sonali Bendre with friends Gayatri Oberoi and Sussanne Khan in new York.

Anupam is shooting for the American drama series, New Amsterdam. Inspired by Bellevue, the oldest public hospital in the US, the series follows the brilliant and charming doctor Max Goodwin played by Ryan Eggold, the institution’s newest medical director who sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care.

In addition to Anupam and Eggold, the cast of the series includes Janet Montgomery, Jocko Sims and Tyler Labine. On the Bollywood front, Anupam will soon be seen in The Accidental Prime Minister as former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

The film is based on a book by Sanjaya Baru, a media advisor to Singh. Akshaye Khanna features as Baru, and Divya Seth Shah plays Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur in the movie.

First Published: Aug 12, 2018 12:15 IST