If you thought we have left behind the era of crazy rumors, you are mistaken.
The rumor that former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar threatened to kidnap Indian actress Sonali Bendre if she didn’t marry him has resurfaced online. During a podcast promoting her latest show, Bendre was reminded of Akhtar’s alleged crush on her. She responded, “I don’t know how true this is. Fake news existed even then!”
In 2019, Akhtar was reported to have said, “If she [Bendre] doesn’t marry me, I’ll kidnap her!” He later used his YouTube channel to deny the statement, calling it completely false. Bendre, surprised by the rumor, joked, “Thank God for that. Maybe that has made my career!”
Akhtar also addressed claims in 2019 that he carried a picture of Bendre in his wallet and wanted to marry her. He firmly denied all allegations, saying, “I never met Sonali Bendre. I’ve seen her in films, and she is indeed beautiful, but I’ve not been a fan.”
He praised Bendre’s bravery in fighting cancer, saying, “I became her fan when she showed how bravely she struggled against her illness. But, my brother, I had nothing to do with her. These are all lies.”
