Actor Sonali Bendre, who recently released her second book "A Book of Books", says she has "mad respect" for authors and would not call herself one until she writes at least 20 of them. Bendre, best known for films such as "Diljale", "Major Saab", "Sarfarosh", "Zakhm", and "Hum Saath Saath Hain", said being a public figure gives her the "privilege" to write and engage in meaningful conversations though she still primarily views herself as an actor. "I`ll call myself an author only if I write 20 books, not before that. I have some mad respect for authors -- what they do, the way they write, the way an author can transport you somewhere, the way they make you think; only an author can do that.

"So, I have really not thought of myself as an author in that sense. I have always looked at myself more as an actor, but it is a creative field. I am a creative person, and there are various ways through which you express your creativity," Bendre told PTI in an interview. The actor`s passion for books led her to launch `Sonali`s Book Club`, a digital community that celebrates literature and meaningful conversations. She made debut as an author in 2015 with "The Modern Gurukul: My Experiment with Parenting". Her latest endeavour, "A Book of Books", is intended for everyone -- both avid readers and those less inclined -- and delves into the importance of reading, especially the value of starting young.