New Delhi, May 11 — Celebrated actor Sonali Bendre, known for her memorable roles in Bollywood classics such as Diljale, Sarfarosh, and Hum Saath Saath Hain, has released her second book titled A Book of Books. However, despite this literary milestone, Bendre insists she does not yet consider herself an author — a title she reserves for when she has written at least 20 books.
"I'll call myself an author only if I write 20 books, not before that," Bendre said in an interview, expressing deep admiration for the craft of writing. "I have some mad respect for authors — what they do, the way they write, the way an author can transport you somewhere, the way they make you think; only an author can do that."
Bendre, who primarily sees herself as an actor, credits her creative instincts for venturing into writing. “There are various ways through which you express your creativity,” she added.
From Book Club to Bookshelf
Her passion for literature led her to create Sonali's Book Club, a digital community celebrating the joy of reading. She made her debut as an author in 2015 with The Modern Gurukul: My Experiment with Parenting.Her latest book, A Book of Books, is a visually rich guide meant for all readers — from beginners to bibliophiles. Illustrated by Rohina Thapar, the book offers curated reading recommendations for children, young adults, and adults across diverse genres.
Books Over Movies
A lifelong reader, Bendre says she would choose books over movies without hesitation. She admits most film adaptations fail to match the magic of their source material — with one exception. "'Dune' comes close," she said, praising the film’s attempt to capture the essence of Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel.Actively seeking the right book to adapt for screen — either to produce or act in — Bendre noted she hasn't yet found one that fits. She recalled exchanging book recommendations with fellow actor and Hum Saath Saath Hain co-star Saif Ali Khan, whom she called a "voracious reader".
Healing Through Reading
In 2018, Bendre was diagnosed with cancer, prompting a seven-year break from acting. During her recovery, reading played a crucial role in her healing. She drew strength from books like the biography of tennis legend Serena Williams, whose personal and professional battles deeply inspired her."Stories that encourage you to heal yourself, to be better than what you were — those were the books I turned to," she shared. "I really took my illness as a journey that was helping me educate myself and evolve."
Back to Screen, Eyes on Fiction
Bendre made her acting comeback in 2022 with ZEE5’s The Broken News, which returned with a second season the following year. While her published works are non-fiction, she hopes to explore fiction in the future.“There are many stories and characters that come to mind, and they stay with me,” she said. “Maybe someday I’ll pick out these various characters and see if I can bring them together and write something. You never say never.”
“A Book of Books” is available for Rs 599 across online and offline bookstores.
