Sonali Bendre Recalls Salman Khan’s Support During Cancer Battle: ‘He Came to New York Twice Just for Me’

Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre, in a recent interview with , opened up about her evolving bond with superstar Salman Khan and highlighted his caring nature during one of the most difficult phases of her life — her battle with cancer.

Bendre, who starred alongside Salman in the 1999 family drama Hum Saath Saath Hain, shared that although their on-screen chemistry was appreciated by fans, their off-screen relationship was not particularly close during the film’s shoot.

Reflecting on their early working days, Sonali said, “Salman is like a child, and everything about him is to the extreme — even his care and concern. While we were filming Hum Saath Saath Hain, he would make faces at me from behind the camera. At that time, I was quite offended, and we didn’t really get along well.”

However, her perception of Salman Khan changed drastically years later when she was undergoing cancer treatment in New York. Sonali revealed that Salman not only kept checking in on her but also visited her twice in the U.S. to ensure she was receiving the best possible care.

“He made two trips to New York just to see if I was okay during my illness,” Sonali said. “He called my husband, Goldie [Behl], and asked, ‘Are you sure you’ve got the right doctors? You should speak to these doctors too,’ and even shared contacts. He was just so invested and wanted to ensure everything was being done correctly.”

The actress praised Salman for stepping up like a responsible elder from the film industry. “It was as if he had taken on the role of an elder from the fraternity, making sure everything was in place. Once he was convinced that we had chosen the best option available at the time, he was calm. But in doing so, he showed how sensitive and caring he truly is,” she added.

Sonali acknowledged that while she had her differences with Salman in the past, she has grown to appreciate the compassionate side of him. “I’ve had my issues with him, but I’ve grown to appreciate that side of him.”

While Sonali Bendre is yet to announce her next film project, Salman Khan has confirmed an upcoming high-octane action film with Sanjay Dutt, promising a next-level action spectacle. He also has a cameo appearance in the Saudi film 7 Dogs.