The actress is currently undergoing treatment in New York.
Indian model - turned - actress Sonali Bendre has revealed she is battling “a high - grade cancer”.
The 43 - year - old star, who appeared as a judge on Indian Idol and India’s Got Talent, issued a statement on Wednesday via her social media accounts.
“Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball, ” the actress wrote.
“I have recently been diagnosed with a high - grade cancer that has metastised, which we frankly did not see coming. A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis. ”
The actress said her family and close friends have rallied around her and they remain “optimistic”.
“There is no better way to tackle this, than to take swift and immediate action. And so, as advised by my doctors, I am currently undergoing a course of treatment in New York, ” she said.
“I’m taking this battle head on, knowing I have the strength of my family and friends behind me. ”
Well wishes have poured in on social media from fellow Bollywood stars, including Karan Johar, Arjun Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz and Sonam Kapoor.
Bendre’s former co - star Akshay Kumar, who worked with the actress on the film Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!, paid her a visit in New York after hearing of her diagnosis. He told the Hindustan Times: “I know that Sonali is a fighter. May God help bring her back in the best of health. ”