20 years on, Sonali Bendre reacts to rumours of Raj Thackeray's crush on her

India Today

09-06-2025

Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre recently opened up on the rumours about politician Raj Thackerey allegedly having a crush on her 20 years ago. She expressed her displeasure and said that such reports are not in good taste. Bendre also reflected on such speculations, since families of individuals are also involved in these matters.The actor confessed in an interview with ANI, how she never bothered about such reports while emphasising that such rumours are often in bad taste "when people talk about it".advertisementOn being asked whether the politician had a crush on her, Bendre said, "Did he? I doubt it, but ya."
"Honestly, when I spoke, and I called in the video, I was talking to my sister, who was right there. Not even behind him, but I was telling my sister to come. That's the thing about this. It's just not in a very good taste when people talk about it," she added.While criticising the internet gossip over the connection between her and Thackerey's family, she further said, "First of all, there are families and people involved. Secondly, something that till date I've never even bothered telling this, but other than the fact my brother-in-law, who is a cricketer, hence he used to play cricket with Raj's cousin.""Moreover, my sister's mother-in-law was the head of department in literature at the college I am from. She knows Raj because of his father. They all know each other somehow," Sonali added.advertisementSonali revealed that Thackerey's wife Sharmila, her mother and the actor's maternal aunt were best friends. While recalling the nostalgic memories, the actor said, "For me, the connection was that Sharmila, Raj's wife, her mother, and my Maasi were best friends. Her mother has held me for 10 days because you know how, oh, her, my mother's younger sister, Maasi. So when she delivered Raj, they all came laughing. Oh, her elder sister's baby. Let's go and see the baby."She also highlighted there is no further connection between her family and the MNS chief beyond this point. She concluded, "They've come to the hospital and seen me. So literally, that's the kind of connection. I have always travelled around, so it's not like I know them beyond a point, because I came to Maharashtra only once in two years during summer holidays or something like that."In the same interview, Bendre also recalled how her 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' co-star Salman Khan was her pillar of strength during her cancer diagnosis. She said that Salman flew to New York to be with her during her treatment.Sonali Bendre was last seen in 'The Broken News Season 2.' The show is available for streaming on Zee5.Trending Reel