'The Drona function was very emotional but it did not go well'

Even as Raj Thackeray called off the stir against Jaya Bachchan, not everyone has had their say in the matter yet. While promoting the fourth season of Indian Idol, where she is a judge, Sonali Bendre gave her views to the media about the controversy.

Sonali was present at the Drona event where Jaya Bachchan made her infamous remarks -- her husband Goldie Behl is the film's director -- and shares a close bond with the Bachchans. Sonali also shares a close bond with Raj Thackeray.

She tells Patcy N how Jaya could never have meant any malice towards anyone.

You are close to the Bachchans as well as to Raj Thackeray. Why then weren't you a mediator in the clash between them?

Jaya Bachchan spoke in front of me [at the Drona music release]. I was present there. And I could see that she did not mean anything like that. But yes, people have been hurt.

Mr and Mrs Bachchan have apologised and in the end, that is what matters. They said that if somebody was hurt, then we need to apologise. They are such senior people, with a [fantastic] body of work behind them. They are icons for me. And they are humans. They have been gracious and have apologised. We should be gracious and should accept it.

But why didn't you meet Raj Thackeray?

I do not understand politics. Plus, I am much smaller -- not only in age but in everything else too. There is no need for me to speak.

As a Maharashtrian youself, were you hurt by what Jaya Bachchan said?

It was an off-the-cuff remark, and was not meant [to hurt anyone]. She is a wonderful person. She is like a mother to me, and has given me a lot of affection. I am not saying this because I am married to Goldie Behl, who is like a son to her. I am talking about a time when I was working with ABCL [Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited], which produced Major Saab. They were always like family [to me]. Knowing her, it will be difficult to believe that she could ever have malicious intentions.

After the Drona function, did you feel that her statement would get such a reaction?

No. We were all emotional, as Jayaji -- who has been very close to Goldie's father -- dedicated the event to him. In fact, she was reprimanding my husband, who was talking in English. She was saying that we are making a Hindi film, and you are speaking in English. It actually took off from there, and this remark got blown out of proportion.

Did you meet Abhishek after this event?

No I haven't, as he is busy shooting.

The function was very emotional but it did not go well. I would like to believe that there were good moments in the function instead of this controversy.

Video: Hitesh Harisinghani

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