ComingSoon writer Debmitra Chatterjee recently interviewed Sonali Bendre about her role in Zee5 Global’s The Broken News season 2. Sonali shared her enthusiasm for working on the series and reflected on its major success. The highly anticipated second season premiered on May 3, 2024, following the first season’s success. The series, which also features Jaideep Ahlawat and Shriya Pilgaonkar, is now available to stream on Zee5 Global.
The official synopsis of the series reads, “After surviving the agonising time in prison, Radha’s new approach towards journalism leaves everyone including Ameena questioning her motives. Ready to make new enemies and avenge old ones, Radha’s approach create conflicts with Dipankar leading to a battle between Awaaz Bharati and Josh 24×7, ensued by a new investor, that will rewrite the rules of ethical journalism.”
Debmitra Chatterjee: Your character, Ameena Qureshi, is an idealist trying to balance the two extremes—Dipankar and Radha. Do you believe you share any similarities with Ameena in real life from that perspective?
Sonali Bendre: No, I feel Ameena is a little bit better than I am as a person. Just to be able to stick to that extent to the truth takes a lot of will. The will has to be of some other kind, and I don’t know if I have that kind of willpower. I do make mistakes sometimes. In that way, you see, Ameena does, too; she is so human, and that’s the beauty of her character. But yeah, I think Ameena is a little better than me if I have to relate to her.
Debmitra Chatterjee: The character of Ameena is very different from what you have played earlier. There aren’t many similarities with your previous characters. Did you need to prepare in any particular way for the role of Ameena Qureshi?
Sonali Bendre: First, I was coming into fiction after a long time, and the times have changed. Technology has changed, makeup has changed, and the style of acting has changed; it was like restarting. I was extremely nervous because it had been so long ago [since her last role]. Then I had Jaideep and Shriya, who are fantastic actors, and I know the preparation they come with and all of that. So, I was worried and petrified of coming on stage. It was scary to start, and, of course, I needed the preparation.
You are right about it. I hadn’t played this kind of a character, and it had been a long break. I was coming back and playing the age I am now, which was never earlier. So, being able to play at this age is such a boon because I don’t know if these kinds of stories were being written when I was working. Also, I was much younger back then. Now, I can play my age because the moment a certain amount of life is lived, there are more layers to that character.
There is more beauty, and playing that character is more fun, which I got in Ameena. But like you said, it was the first time. Since I was playing a role after a long period and this kind of character for the first time, I did need a lot of prepping.
Debmitra Chatterjee: You spoke about Shriya and Jaideep, your co-stars. How was your experience working with them?
Sonali Bendre: It was fantastic. I learned a lot from them because they are so amazing, professional, and so there. It was lovely to work with them, and I got to learn a lot from them. I think I would say that they are friends now, and that’s the beauty. If you can become friends with your colleagues, it’s amazing, and that is what I think has happened. I am so fond of both of them. They are wonderful human beings while being great actors.
Debmitra Chatterjee: Is there any chance that we can see you three again? Will there be a potential sequel?
Sonali Bendre: You need to ask this question to Zee5 Global. Only they can answer this question.
Debmitra Chatterjee: Should we make a petition to bring back another season of The Broken News?
Sonali Bendre: Please do that. I will also sign it.
Debmitra Chatterjee: Can you highlight a scene from The Broken News 2 that you believe is the most impactful and that audiences shouldn’t miss?
Sonali Bendre: The audience should not miss anything in the series because everything is so layered. Every line has a meaning to it and there is a reason why that line is there. There is not an extra word or sentence; there is only as much as necessary. I think there is beauty even when no lines are being said. Besides, in silence, there is so much being communicated. So definitely, do not miss any of that. But for me, the show’s highlight is that Ameena and Dipankar come face to face for the first time.
Debmitra Chatterjee: Can you share a memorable experience while shooting the series? Maybe there were some notable moments with your co-stars that have stayed with you?
Sonali Bendre: Like I said, I enjoyed working with them—not just them, but the entire team. Even Indraneil, who plays Pankaj, is such a fine actor. Do you know the actors who played Kamal (Faisal Rashid) and Juhi (Sanjeeta Bhattacharya)? All of them are such seasoned actors. It was great fun working with them.
When we shot the first season, it was during Covid, just between that time. So, automatically, everything was locked down and tight, making us all comfortable with each other. That, for me, was a great part of The Broken News, just the bonding that happened.
In the first season, I barely had any scenes with Jaideep. We only came face to face once we were promoting season 1, and we bonded well at our celebration party. Knowing that Jaideep is a good dancer was amazing because we danced to my songs, and celebrating was so much fun.
Debmitra Chatterjee: Is there any particular role from recent times that you would like to take on? Is there any character that you have liked lately?
Sonali Bendre: I am looking at something that has not been done yet. So, I do not know what it is, and I can’t say, ‘Oh, this is the character I would want to play.’ When I read about Ameena Qureshi, I said, ‘ This is the character I want to play. ‘
Even though there was an ensemble cast when the script came to me, it was not a show I was headlining in that sense. But the character was so amazing that I just had to play. And I am sure that is how I will look at the characters coming to me. When the character speaks to me and says I need to live this character, that’s the character I would like to play.
Debmitra Chatterjee: How different is working in a film than in a series?
Sonali Bendre: It’s not very different because the medium is similar. It’s just that a film is two or two and a half hours at most, while a series is longer. So, as an actor, you get to explore the character a lot more and add more layers to the character, which is fantastic.
Debmitra Chatterjee: You have worn several hats throughout your journey, from your debut to The Broken News. Which role has helped you grow and evolve as an actor?
Sonali Bendre: Oh my god, I do not want to name those roles because the roles that were not very nice teach you the most because the characters or the experiences that were not the best experiences are the best teachers in life. So, it will be mean on my part to name them because it is somebody’s film or somebody’s written it. So, I do not want to be rude about it, but the roles that did not work or were not the greatest were the best teachers because they taught me what I should not do.
