EXCLUSIVE: Sonali Bendre REVEALS The ONE Condition Sooraj Barjatya Insisted On Before Casting Her in Salman Khan’s Hum Saath Saath Hain; Says, “If You Wear Indian Clothes…”

Sonali Bendre Behl is an actress predominantly known for her work in Hindi and Telugu films. Considered as one of the leading actresses of the 1990s and early 2000s, Bendre started her career as a model and marked her acting debut with Aag (1994). In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Sonali Bendre reveals the condition under which Sooraj Barjatya cast her opposite Salman Khan in Hum Saath Saath Hai.

Sonali Bendre Opens Up On Hum Saath Saath Hai Casting

When asked about her casting in Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Saath Saath Hain opposite Salman Khan, Sonali Bendre said, “Yeah, but you know, I don’t think I had Dr. Preeti in my life. I remember meeting Sooraj ji, and when I wasn’t shooting, Sonali at that age had straight hair. I remember I always wore very thick payals under my flared jeans, crop tops. And because I knew this piercing would be visible, I always wore a ring—like a nose ring, not a stud, but a proper ring. So that’s who I was when I wasn’t shooting. That was me.”

She continued, “And I always wore Indian jewellery with my jeans. Either that, or I was very comfortable in sarees and Indian clothes, salwar kurtas and all that. I remember when I went to meet Sooraj ji, I was wearing a white salwar kurta with silver jhumkas. And because I wasn’t shooting, I had my nose ring on. I knew they wanted me in western clothes because she was a doctor, studying and all that, so it was meant to be a college-going kind of look. So he wanted me in Western clothes. And when I went, I had dressed like that to meet him and to hear the story, which was fantastic. I heard the entire script with the music; it was amazing, with Sooraj ji acting out every character. It was fantastic.”

Sonali Bendre recalled loving Indian clothes. She said, “And as I listened, I said, ‘You know, I feel like I should be in Indian clothes because I don’t feel like I fit into this western look.’ Because, you know, her ethos and upbringing are very Indian. Yes, and I come from a very middle-class Maharashtrian family. We eat Indian food regularly, and we wear salwar kurtas normally. So I said, ‘But why do you want her in western clothes? She’s not in a hospital in a white coat; she’s studying to be a doctor, and she’s at home. I see my cousins and everyone else, but they don’t dress that way at home. Why wouldn’t she wear Indian clothes?’ I just felt she was going to stand out.”

Salman Khan and Sonali Bendre in Hum Saath Saath Hain

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Sonali Bendre Reveals The Condition Sooraj Barjatya Cast Her

Sooraj Barjatya had a condition before finalising her as Dr Preeti. Sonali said, “He said, ‘No, I have a look in mind,’ and all of that. Anyway, you know, he’s Sooraj ji—whatever he says goes. I didn’t argue. Then he said, ‘You know what? I have a condition. If you wear Indian clothes, promise me you wear that nose ring.’ I said, ‘Of course. I take it out every time I go for a shoot. I will, of course.’ I just kept it on that day.”

Watch The Full Interview

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