Sonali Bendre says son Ranveer a source of strength in her fight against cancer

Actor Sonali Bendre, who is fighting cancer, says she and husband Goldie Behl did not want to keep son Ranveer in the dark about her diagnosis as children are more "resilient than we give them credit for".

The 43-year-old actor said Ranveer has been "a source of strength and positivity". Sonali, who is currently in New York for the treatment, had recently revealed that she had been diagnosed with "high grade" cancer that has metastised.

Sharing a picture with Ranveer on Instagram, she wrote, "From the moment he was born 12 years, 11 months and 8 days ago, my amazing @rockbehl took ownership of my heart. From then on, his happiness and well-being have been the centre of anything @goldiebehl and I ever did. And so, when the Big C reared its ugly head, our biggest dilemma was what and how we were going to tell him.

"As much as we wanted to protect him, we knew it was important to tell him the full facts. We've always been open and honest with him and this time it wasn't going to be different. He took the news so maturely? And instantly became a source of strength and positivity for me. In some situations now, he even reverses roles and takes on being the parent, reminding me of things I need to do!"

The actor said she felt it was important to involve Ranveer so that he does not feel left out.

"They are a lot more resilient than we give them credit for. It's important to spend time with them and include them, rather than make them wait on the side-lines, not being told yet instinctively knowing everything. In our effort to protect them from the pain and realities of life, we might end up doing the opposite.

"I'm spending time with Ranveer right now, while he's on summer vacation. His madness and shenanigans help me #SwitchOnTheSunshine. And today, we derive strength from each other #OneDayAtATime," she wrote.