“I’m testing myself on TV” Sonali Bendre

Bollywood beauties, who had quit work to look after their tiny tots, are using television as a comeback tool. After Raveena Tandon, it’s Sonali Bendre who returns to the fold as a judge on Sony’s reality show Mr and Miss TV. However, the gorgeous Sonali, whose last work of note was Amol Palekar’s Marathi film Annahat, isn’t considering Mr and Miss TV as a full time return to Tinsel town. She would do that once her kid grows a little older. In this exclusive interview to Tellychakkar, the sizzling and ravishing Sonali talks about her brief stint on television. Excerpts: Why make a comeback through television? My child is just two years old and plus Goldie is away from home most of the time. Thus I decided to stay back and look after my child. It’s important that at least one parent stays with the child. Goldie has just returned after shooting his film. This was an opportunity to go out and when Mr and Miss TV was offered to me, I grabbed it with both hands. What made you opt for Mr and Miss TV? There are two reasons for taking up this show. Firstly, it required only nine days. Secondly, the venue (Yash Raj studios) is very close to my house. I know this sounds very strange but if the shoot was in Film City, I wouldn’t have gone. What do you have to say about the concept of the show? The concept of the show is definitely very interesting. I was very happy to know that it’s not just dance or a singing show but it also showcases other talents of an individual. (I didn’t know that Purbi Joshi was such a fabulous dancer. I love the way she mimic’s and make people laugh.) Besides, they are not just anybody but well recognised actors. What according to you is required to be called Mr and Miss TV? Personally, I take into consideration all aspects. The person should have the ability to perform any given task. In other words he or she should be an all rounder. Tell us something about your experience as a judge? I was of the view that sitting in a judge’s chair is an easy task but I’m left to eat my words now. The elimination part is the trickiest. I feel bad whenever I have to announce the elimination. Luckily, I have Madhur with me. He makes my task a little easier. Also, it’s nice to have two Maharashtrians as judges. Do you watch TV? Yes, I do but mostly its National Geographic Channel or Discovery. I’m not the only one in the family to watch those fiction or reality stuff on television. Sometimes, I sit with my mother-in-law and she watches all these shows. Each and every room in my house has a television which plays different shows. There’s a TV in my kitchen too which is on full time. So, I do catch a glimpse of these serials. If I happened to miss a few episodes, then my mother-in-law is always there to help me out. Will you be taking more shows on television? Currently, I’m testing myself on TV. If this (Mr and Miss TV) goes perfect then I’m open to taking up new ventures in future. Let’s see what the future has in store for me.