However, defenders counter-argued that the trend is . Most of the viral comments focus on her aura, elegance, and "divine femininity" rather than specific body parts. It is considered a case of "aesthetic worship" rather than harassment.
However, upon closer inspection and verification, it appears that most of these claims were baseless and unsubstantiated. The rumors seemed to have originated from unreliable sources, and there was no concrete evidence to support the claims.
While undergoing treatment for stage 4 cancer in the United States, Bendre fell victim to a severe death hoax . A prominent political figure mistakenly tweeted condolences before retracting the statement and apologizing after public backlash.
Addressing the viral rumors in a recent interview, Bendre expressed her displeasure, noting that such gossip is "not in very good taste" because of the families involved. She explained that her family has long-standing ties to the Thackerays—specifically through her brother-in-law, a cricketer who played with Raj Thackeray's cousin, and her aunt’s friendship with Thackeray's mother-in-law. Broader Public Sentiment
A farmer in Pune recently filed a civil lawsuit against Sonali and her husband, Goldie Behl, accusing them of illegal land acquisition and intimidation regarding a plot in Maval. Bendre has firmly denied these claims, stating her name is not on any related documents and labeling the suit an "extortion attempt".
On Twitter, users began declaring Sonali Bendre as the "original blue flag." Fans started threads comparing her blue saree look to modern actresses.