Sonali Bendre and Raj Thackeray's Secret Love Story: A Look Back

01/03/2025

3 min read

The Bollywood industry has always been abuzz with rumors and secrets, and one such story that has garnered significant attention over the years is the alleged love affair between actress Sonali Bendre and politician Raj Thackeray. The two were rumored to be deeply in love, with plans to marry, but their relationship ultimately ended due to Raj's existing marriage and the intervention of his uncle, Bal Thackeray. Born in Mumbai, Sonali began her journey in the entertainment industry as a model before making her Bollywood debut in 1994 with the film Aag, alongside actor Govinda.

As Sonali's career progressed, she appeared in several notable films, including Diljale (1996), where she starred alongside Ajay Devgan. Her performances were highly praised, and her beauty captivated audiences. However, it was her personal life that garnered significant attention. Sonali and Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), were rumored to be in a romantic relationship, with the two reportedly wanting to tie the knot. But their plans were foiled due to Raj's existing marriage and the intervention of his uncle, Bal Thackeray, who strongly advised Raj against marrying Sonali, citing the potential damage to his image and political career.

Years later, Sonali and Raj were recently spotted together at a Marathi Bhasha Divas event in Mumbai, sparking fresh discussions about their rumored past relationship. The event, which was attended by several celebrities, including Vicky Kaushal, Asha Bhosle, and Riteish Deshmukh, caught everyone's attention, with the highlight of the evening being the viral moment featuring Sonali and Raj seated next to each other. Some of the notable works of Sonali include her roles in the following movies:

Diljale (1996)
Aag (1994)
The Broken News (ZEE5 web series)

This development has reignited curiosity among netizens, with many taking to social media to share their reactions and thoughts on the matter. Apart from the buzz around her past, Sonali has been in the news for her incredible comeback post her battle with cancer, with the actress emerging stronger and returning to acting.

Sonali has also been linked to other celebrities, including Suniel Shetty, Shoaib Akhtar, and Govinda, although none of these relationships were as highly publicized as her rumored romance with Raj Thackeray. Sonali eventually married filmmaker Goldie Behl in 2002 and the couple has a son together. In addition to her film career, Sonali has also made headlines for her courageous battle with cancer, with the actress sharing the shocking news with her fans that she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2018. This revelation sent shockwaves throughout the film industry and among her devoted fan base, but Sonali's strength and resilience in the face of adversity inspired countless people as she embarked on a long and challenging journey of treatment and recovery.

Recently, Sonali attended a book exhibition in Mumbai organized by Raj Thackeray-led MNS on the occasion of Marathi Bhasha Gaurav Din (Marathi Language Day), where she was seen reciting a poem by Marathi writer Govind Vinayak Karandikar. She took to her Instagram and dropped some glimpses from the star-studded event, thanking Raj Thackeray for inviting her to the book exhibition. With her recent public appearances and comeback in the entertainment industry, Sonali Bendre continues to be a topic of interest and discussion among fans and followers, with her rumored love story with Raj Thackeray remaining one of the most intriguing and talked-about aspects of her personal life.