Sonali Bendre is currently enjoying the positive response to his crime thriller series ‘Raakh’, which has received appreciation from audiences, critics and industry peers. Amidst the show’s success, the actor recently spoke about his fitness regime, eating habits and his journey through cancer treatment.Bendre revealed that he follows a strict intermittent fasting routine and is mindful of his diet. When the host observed that he was barely eating during their interaction, the actor explained that he had just finished a long period of fasting.Recalling the moment, he said that when they had a meal together, he must have been fasting for more than 16 hours. At the age of 51, Sonali Bendre follows a disciplined diet routine centered around intermittent fasting. The actor usually eats one and a half meals a day, sometimes increasing it to two full meals. Instead of eating at regular intervals throughout the day, he prefers to limit his meals and maintain a fasting window of 18 to 20 hours.In a conversation with Mashable India, Sonali said, “I do 18-20 hours of fasting,” Bendre revealed, adding that she follows intermittent fasting. He also shared that he only eats “one and a half meals a day”. Sometimes, he has two meals a day, but usually, he fasts for 18-20 hours and only eats one and a half meals a day.In one of his posts on X, Bendre wrote how autophagy, the body’s cellular recycling system, helped him heal and he has followed it to this day. “In 2018, when I was diagnosed with cancer, this study helped me a lot. My naturopath introduced me to it, I researched it, and this is what I follow, autophagy for healing. And I continue to follow it till date. “The actor also reflected on the emotional impact of being diagnosed with stage IV metastatic cancer in 2018, when the disease had spread to his brain. While she admits the diagnosis was scary, she said she quickly realized that fear wasn’t helping her navigate the situation.“Thodi der ka emotion hai [You feel scared for a short while],” he added. According to Bendre, thinking about fear only takes up precious time. She explained that after the initial shock, she chose to face the reality of her illness and remained committed to her treatment journey.Appearing on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast for the first time, Bendre recalled that cancer was not something she expected doctors to diagnose when her initial tests were done. “It’s not a conversation that everyone has,” he said, adding that it happened to “someone everywhere”. He wanted to avoid rumors and speculations; therefore, he shared the news on Instagram. “I want this to be my narrative,” he added.The actor also admitted that his first reaction to the diagnosis was denial. In retrospect, he expressed regret that the disease was not noticed sooner. “If I had caught it early, I wouldn’t have had to live with these side effects for the rest of my life,” she shared, referring to the lasting effects of her treatment.Bendre credits her husband, filmmaker Goldie Behl, for stepping in right away and making sure she received the best possible care. After her diagnosis, he took her to New York for treatment, a gesture she greatly appreciated.“I can only thank him for this and no one else,” he said. Since beating cancer, Bendre has often spoken about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and a clean diet. He also uses his platform to raise awareness about cancer and encourage people to prioritize early detection and timely treatment.
