From Playful Co-Star to Protective Friend: Sonali on Salman Khan

June 8, 2025: Sonali Bendre has opened up about her changing perspective on Salman Khan, revealing a touching side of the superstar that emerged during one of the most difficult periods of her life—her cancer treatment in New York.

Although the two worked together in the popular film Hum Saath Saath Hain, Sonali admitted they weren’t the closest of friends back then. In fact, she recalled being annoyed by Salman’s constant pranks on set, including making faces at her from behind the camera. “He was mischievous and childish, and it used to really irritate me,” she said.

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However, years later, when Sonali was undergoing treatment for cancer in the U.S., her opinion of Salman shifted completely. She shared that the actor made two separate trips to New York just to check in on her. “Salman is like a child, and everything he does is extreme — even his concern,” she said.

He not only visited her but also personally contacted her husband, Goldie Behl, to make sure she was receiving the best medical care possible. “He asked, ‘Are you sure you’ve got the right doctors? You should also speak to these doctors,’ and shared contacts. He was so invested,” Sonali recalled. “It was as if he had taken on the role of an elder in the fraternity, making sure everything was in place.”

She added, “Once he was convinced we had chosen the best option available, he was calm. But through it all, he showed how caring and sensitive he truly is. I may have had my differences with him before, but I’ve grown to appreciate that side of him deeply.”

Salman Khan and Sonali Bendre’s onscreen chemistry in Hum Saath Saath Hain had won over fans, and while they haven’t collaborated frequently since, their bond off-screen seems to have grown with time.

Meanwhile, Salman is gearing up for his next big action film with Sanjay Dutt and is also making a cameo appearance in the Saudi film 7 Dogs. Sonali Bendre has yet to reveal her next acting project.