Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Sonali Bendre Clarifies Autophagy Remarks Amid Backlash
Sonali Bendre, a Bollywood actress who survived cancer, shared on social media that autophagy helped her during her treatment.
A doctor named Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips got upset because he thinks autophagy isn't a proven way to treat cancer.
He said Bendre should stick to talking about the real treatments that helped her, like chemotherapy and surgery.
Bendre said she was just sharing her own story and not giving medical advice.
The doctor later said he wasn't calling Bendre a quack, but the person who told her about autophagy might be one.
He also said people should think critically and not believe things just because someone says they worked for them.
Autophagy is a process where the body recycles damaged cells, which can help with healing and fighting diseases.
Some people support Bendre's experience, while others think she's promoting unproven treatments.
Sonali Bendre shared that autophagy helped her during her cancer treatment, sparking backlash from Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips.
Dr. Philips criticized Bendre for promoting unproven treatments and reminded her that conventional medicine cured her cancer.
Bendre clarified that she was only sharing her personal experience and not claiming to be a doctor.
The doctor later clarified that he was not calling Bendre a quack, but rather the naturopath who advised her.
Both parties emphasized the importance of evidence-based medicine and critical thinking.
- Who
- Sonali Bendre (Bollywood actress and cancer survivor) and Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips (hepatologist)
- What
- Controversy over Sonali Bendre's promotion of autophagy as a cancer treatment
- When
- November 2025
- Where
- Social media (X/Twitter)
- Why
- Dr. Philips criticized Bendre for promoting naturopathy and autophagy, while Bendre clarified she was sharing her personal experience
- Actress
- Sonali Bendre
- Critic
- Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips (The Liver Doc)
- Controversial Topic
- Autophagy as cancer treatment
- Bendre's Cancer Type
- Stage 4 metastatic cancer
- Bendre's Treatment
- Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and autophagy
- Bendre's Stance
- Shared personal experience, not medical advice
- Critic's Concern
- Promotion of unproven treatments
- Autophagy Definition
- Natural cellular recycling program
- Autophagy Benefits
- Lower inflammation, slower ageing, protection against diseases
- Autophagy Methods
- Fasting, high-fat low-carb diet, calorie restriction, exercise
Sources
‘Not a quack, I’m a cancer survivor’: Sonali Bendre on backlash over suggesting autophagy as cancer treatment
Sonali Bendre Defends Naturopathy Claim After Facing Backlash: "Not A Quack But A Cancer Survivor"
What Is Autophagy, The Naturopathy Cure Sonali Bendre Credits Her Cancer Recovery To
