## Sonali Bendre Claps Back at Online Rumors of a Past Romance with Raj Thackeray
Recent buzz has rekindled old flames of gossip as **Sonali Bendre** finds herself at the center of speculation regarding a supposed romantic connection with **Raj Thackeray**, the chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). With an old video of the two resurfacing on social media, fans and followers have taken to the internet to dissect every detail. In an exclusive interview with **ANI**, Sonali didn’t hold back in addressing these unfounded tales and the implications they hold.
### The Rise of Online Gossip
The discussion about Thackeray’s alleged infatuation with Bendre has created a whirlwind of gossip online, leaving her to fend off these distractions from her professional life. When pressed about the rumors, Sonali was candid, stating, **“Did he? I doubt it, but ya.”**
#### Clearing the Air
Further, she dismissed the claims related to the viral video, explaining the context behind it: “Honestly, when I spoke and I called in the video, I was talking to my sister, who was right there. Not even behind him, but I was telling my sister to come. That’s the thing about this. It’s just not in very good taste when people talk about it.”
### The Impact of Family Ties
Sonali poignantly highlighted the consequences of such rampant rumors. **“First of all, there are families and people involved,”** she emphasized. Beyond her personal ties to the Thackeray family, she elaborated, “Other than the fact my brother-in-law is a cricketer who played with Raj’s cousin, my sister’s mother-in-law has connections with Raj due to our shared academic background.”
#### A Tangled Web of Connections
The actress recounted a warm anecdote, **“For me, the connection was that Sharmila, Raj’s wife, her mother, and my Maasi were best friends.”** She continued, “They all came to see Raj when he was born, laughing and celebrating together. **That’s the kind of connection.**” Despite these familial links, she maintained that her interactions with them have been limited, especially given her sporadic visits to Maharashtra.
### Sonali’s Professional Journey
Amidst the chaos of gossip, Sonali Bendre continues to thrive in her professional journey. She was last seen in the highly praised second season of her ZEE5 series, **The Broken News**, and she is set to appear in an upcoming project featuring **Ali Fazal**. This series is reportedly based on the infamous tale of **Ranga and Billa**, promising an intriguing narrative.
### Conclusion
Sonali Bendre’s candid remarks remind us of the impact unwarranted speculation can have, especially on private lives intertwined with public interest. As rumors swirl, it’s crucial for fans and followers to differentiate between mere gossip and reality. For those captivated by Sonali’s journey, stay tuned for more updates on her upcoming projects and challenges.
**See Also:** [**’The Bombay Journey’: Sonali Bendre Talks About Losing Hair During Cancer Treatment ‘It’s Not About The Looks’**](https://in.mashable.com/entertainment/32201/the-bombay-journey-sonali-bendre-talks-about-losing-hair-during-cancer-treatment-its-not-about-the-l)
