Sonali Bendre's emotional post on her son

Entertainment Desk: Sonali Bendre is fighting cancer, with her family standing strong behind her, and a smile on her face.

The actor, who revealed a few days ago that she has been diagnosed with ‘high grade’ cancer that has metastised, shared a new post on Instagram in which we can see her with son Ranveer and a shorter hairdo. Smiling into the camera, Sonali and her son reveal how the family has “switched on the sunshine” at this difficult time. Sonali has also written in the post that her 12-year-old son has become her “source of strength”.

“From the moment he was born 12 years, 11 months and 8 days ago, my amazing @rockbehl took ownership of my heart. From then on, his happiness and well-being have been the centre of anything @goldiebehl and I ever did. And so, when the Big C reared its ugly head, our biggest dilemma was what and how we were going to tell him,” she says.

Sonali says that instead of trying to protect Ranveer, she and husband Goldie Behl decided to be honest with him. “As much as we wanted to protect him, we knew it was important to tell him the full facts. We’ve always been open and honest with him and this time it wasn’t going to be different. He took the news so maturely… and instantly became a source of strength and positivity for me. In some situations now, he even reverses roles and takes on being the parent, reminding me of things I need to do!”

Sonali, who had earlier shared a video of cutting her hair short, is seen wearing her hair even shorter. She had cut her hair perhaps in preparation of chemotherapy. She adds in her post, “I believe that it’s imperative to keep kids involved in a situation like this. They are a lot more resilient than we give them credit for. It’s important to spend time with them and include them, rather than make them wait on the side-lines, not being told yet instinctively knowing everything. In our effort to protect them from the pain and realities of life, we might end up doing the opposite.”

She added that she is spending time with her son in New York now. “I’m spending time with Ranveer right now, while he’s on summer vacation. His madness and shenanigans help me #SwitchOnTheSunshine. And today, we derive strength from each other #OneDayAtATime.”

In an earlier post, the actor had quoted author Isabel Allende and said, “We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.”

Sonali had said that she is staying positive as she fights cancer. “Each day comes with its own challenges and victories and so for now, I’m taking this #OneDayAtATime. The only thing I’m trying to be consistent about is maintaining a positive outlook... literally #SwitchOnTheSunshine - it’s my way of dealing with this. Sharing my journey is also part of this process... I can only hope it reminds you that all is not lost and that someone, somewhere understands what you’re going through.”

A week before that, Sonali had revealed that she had cancer and was in the US to undergo treatment. “Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with a high grade cancer that has metastised, which we frankly did not see coming. A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis. My family and close friends have rallied around me, providing the best support system that anyone can ask for. I am very blessed and thankful for each of them… I’m taking this battle head on, knowing I have the strength of my family and friends behind me,” she had written.


risingbd/Dhaka/July 19, 2018/AI