Raj Thackeray`s friend Sonali Bendre defends Jaya

Mumbai, Sept 11: Actress Sonali Bendre today said Jaya Bachchan`s controversial remarks made at the music launch function of her husband`s film `Drona` were not meant the way they were construed to be. "Those who know Jayaji will understand that her comments were not made with a malicious intent. They were off-the-cuff remarks. She is like a mother to me. I am saying this not because I am married to Goldie Behl whom she considers as her elder son. I have known her since the time I worked in the ABCL`s film `Major Saab`. It has been a lovely relationship," Sonali told reporters in Mumbai.

She was interacting with the media at the launch of `Indian Idol` season four of which she is one of the judges. "Jayaji and Amitabh Bachchan are senior professionals. They come with a vast body of work and are icons to millions of people. "Sentiments had been hurt because of the comments and they have been gracious enough to apologise. We too should be gracious enough to accept the apologies and put the incident behind us," said Sonali, who apart from being close to the Bachchans, is a friend of MNS chief Raj Thackeray who was angered by Jaya`s remarks. Raj Thackeray earlier in the day announced that he had called off his campaign against the Bachchans after the Big B`s apologies. To a question on whether she had tried to mediate between the two parties and settle the matter, Sonali said "I am too small a person to get into this. I am off politics and don`t understand it." Sonali said Jayaji had in fact reprimanded her husband at the function for speaking in English. "She was close to Goldie`s late father and dedicated the film to him. We were so emotional at the event. I never thought the remarks would create such a controversy," she added. Bureau Report