As the mid-2000s approached, many of her contemporaries struggled to find their footing outside of lead film roles. Bendre, however, showed a remarkable ability to adapt. She was one of the first major film stars to embrace the burgeoning world of reality television.

Bendre has successfully transitioned from the big screen to becomes a staple of Indian television and the growing OTT (Over-the-Top) space. The Broken News (ZEE5) : Marking her digital debut in 2022, she stars as Amina Qureshi

Perhaps the most profound element of Sonali Bendre’s journey has been her public battle with cancer. Diagnosed in 2018, she chose to open up about her struggle on social media, breaking a taboo. “It was then I realized there is this unsaid taboo around cancer… As someone in the public view, what I can do is make this a talking point,” she said. Her vulnerability—sharing her healing process, her love for her pets, and her physical changes—earned her a new level of respect and connection with her audience.