Sonali Bendre Recalls Starting Work At 15, Talks About Exploring New Venture After Son Went To University – Exclusive

Actor, author, and podcast host Sonali Bendre continues to prove that passion truly knows no bounds. With the second season of her show The Happy Pawdcast, which focuses on pets and their wellbeing, Sonali is

once again exploring a new dimension of creativity while juggling multiple roles - as an actor, reader, and advocate for animals. In a candid conversation with Zoom, she opened up about what inspired her to start the podcast, how she balances her many pursuits, and why pets play a vital role in her life and healing journey.

Unfiltered Sonali Bendre!

Talking about what drew her to start a podcast, Sonali shared with Zoom, “There was just so much information on social media that it became difficult to know what’s right or wrong. Sometimes, people try things that can actually harm their pets. I would often tell my vet that someone should educate people about these things, and he told me, ‘You should do it, because people will listen to you.’ That’s how this idea began.”Sonali revealed that she worked on the podcast after her son went off to university, giving her time to focus on her passion project. “Once my son went to university, I said to myself, this is the time. I gathered a small team, experimented, and put it together. The response from the pet community was amazing. It’s a niche space, but it’s about reaching the right people, not everyone.”

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On balancing her creative projects, she shared, “I’ve always been a working girl. I started working when I was 15, so I don’t know a life without work. There are so many things I’ve wanted to try, and I don’t want to wait anymore. You make time for what you love.”She added, “Time management is important, but having a great team makes all the difference. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, you need a support system to juggle many things.”Reflecting on how pets have supported her emotionally, Sonali said, “Anyone who’s a pet parent knows that when you’re stressed, your pet comes and cuddles up to you and for those few minutes, the stress just melts away. My pet was a huge part of my recovery. The love, warmth, and presence they give you - it’s healing.”When asked if she’d ever combine her acting and advocacy for animals, she smiled, “I’d love to tell all kinds of stories - about humans, children, and animals. In fact, through this, we already share inspiring stories like the one about the trainer of Charlie, the dog from the film. Storytelling, in every form, remains my first love.”Did you like our chat with Sonali? Let us know by tweeting at @TimesNow!