Sonali Bendre, who became a household name in the 1990s and early 2000s with iconic songs like Humma Humma and Aankhon Mein Base Ho Tum, has revealed that dance numbers were the most intimidating aspect of filmmaking for her. Despite her graceful on-screen presence, the actor admits she was never a trained dancer and often felt immense pressure during song sequences.
Fear Behind the Glamour
In a candid interview, Bendre shared that songs were a nightmare for her. "I can't tell you what a nightmare that was. I'm not a trained dancer," she said. While she enjoyed songs that were woven into the narrative, choreographed dance numbers left her deeply anxious. "It still gives me nightmares. I can't sleep the whole night due to anxiety because I don't know how to..."
A Turning Point with Saroj Khan
Bendre recalled a pivotal moment during the filming of English Babu Desi Mem, starring Shah Rukh Khan and directed by Praveen Nischol. Before signing the film, she was upfront about her lack of dance training. However, legendary choreographer Saroj Khan was reportedly unimpressed during their first meeting. "Saroj ji said, 'Heroine ko toh naachna bhi nahi aata,' and she stormed out of Satyam Hall, saying, 'Who is this? I can't teach this one,'" Bendre revealed.
The incident shook her confidence and sparked imposter syndrome. "When she said that, it was like, 'What the hell?' You start wrestling with the imposter syndrome," she added.
Ahmed Khan to the Rescue
Choreographer and filmmaker Ahmed Khan, who was assisting Saroj Khan at the time, stepped in to help Bendre. "Ahmed Khan would pick me up before I went to the set in the early morning. We would rehearse together. He would bribe me with chocolates and get the work done from me," she said. This support helped her learn the steps for the film and gradually overcome her fear.
From Fear to Motivation
Over time, Bendre transformed her fear into motivation. Instead of chasing perfection, she focused on improving with every performance. "It became about improving with every film, every rehearsal and every song that once terrified me," she said. Despite her success, Bendre insists that none of her iconic dance numbers ever felt effortless. "Trust me, it was not effortless at all. It was scary," she concluded.
