Inside Sonali Bendre’s priceless jewellery collection; husband Goldie Behl's first gift, and more

For Bollywood icon Sonali Bendre gold jewellery is far more than a redcarpet statement it is a vault of deeply personal memories In this exclusive chat with midday the actress who has come on board as the brand ambassador for P N Gadgil amp Sons opens up about her Maharashtrian roots blending cultures with husband Goldie Behl and the emotional heirloom pieces that define her life beyond the screenExcerpts from the interviewQ How would you trace back your association with gold growing up in an Indian householdSonali Growing up gold was always a quiet but constant presence in our home I remember watching my mother and grandmother carefully take out their jewellery for weddings festivals and family celebrations Each piece seemed to hold a memory a blessing from elders a milestone or something lovingly passed down through generations As a child I was fascinated by the stories attached to these pieces more than the jewellery itself Over time I realised that in Indian families gold is never just ornamental It carries emotion tradition protection and legacyWhat has always appealed to me most about gold is how it quietly becomes a witness to lifersquos most meaningful moments Whether itrsquos a wedding the birth of a child or festivities like Akshaya Tritiya gold carries an emotional value that goes far beyond trends or fashion Even today when I wear certain pieces Irsquom instantly transported back to moments from my childhood the excitement of getting dressed for festivals sitting with the women in the family while they shared stories and the warmth of those celebrations Gold for me has always been deeply tied to family and memoryQ What was the first piece of gold jewellery you purchased on your ownSonali A pair of earrings for my mother Growing up I always felt that mothers sacrifice so much and almost always think of themselves last My mother was exactly like that she had never really bought herself a piece of jewellery because there was always something else that needed attention or something more important to buy for the family So when I finally started earning I wanted to do something special just for her I still remember the happiness on her face when she received it It wasnrsquot just about the jewellery itself but about being able to give back even in a small way to someone who had quietly given so much of herself to all of us over the yearsView this post on InstagramA post shared by Sonali Bendre iamsonalibendreQ Do you remember your mangalsutra design What is your take on the cultural transition around it over the yearsSonali My mangalsutra holds deep emotional meaning for me because it beautifully represents the coming together of two families and cultures The one my mother gave me for my wedding was a very traditional Maharashtrian Mangalsutra with the classic wati design while the one gifted by my motherinlaw had a distinct Punjabi influence in its style For me those two mangalsutras are far more than pieces of jewellery they hold deep emotional meaning and represent an important chapter of my lifeTraditionally mangalsutras are crafted in gold with black beads symbolising protection love and togetherness and I think that sentiment continues to make them so special What I really appreciate today is how women are making the tradition their own Earlier there were very fixed ideas around how it should look or be worn but now women are embracing it more personally whether through modern designs simpler styles or even choosing when they want to wear it The sentiment remains intact but the expression has evolved with time and I think thatrsquos beautifulView this post on InstagramA post shared by Sonali Bendre iamsonalibendreQ What is the most priceless possession in your jewellery collectionSonali The most priceless piece I own would definitely be my Ajjirsquos patlya the traditional flat gold bangles in Marathi culture I have such vivid memories of her wearing them all the time they were almost a part of her identity After she passed away her jewellery was lovingly divided among her daughters and granddaughters and I was fortunate to receive those bangles What makes them truly special to me is not their design or value but the memories they hold Even though the detailing has softened over time with wear to me they are still incredibly beautiful because they carry her presence warmth and love Every time I wear them I feel incredibly close to herQ What is the best jewellery gift you have receivedSonali One of the most special jewellery gifts Irsquove ever received was a gold chain with a locket from Goldie when we were still dating What made it so meaningful was knowing that he had bought it with his own hardearned money It wasnrsquot about how grand or expensive the gift was but about the thought and emotion behind it Therersquos something incredibly touching about receiving something from a person who has worked hard and chosen it especially for you Even today that piece holds immense sentimental value for me because it reminds me of a very pure and heartfelt moment in our journey together