As we celebrate Sonali Kulkarni‘s birthday, we’ve got to admit that she’s one gifted actress. Apart from being one of the few actresses, who has had a successful career in theatre, Hindi as well as Marathi films, Sonali has even published a book recently. And did you know that Sonali’s also acted in an Italian film called Fuoco Si Di Me for which she won a Special Award at the 2006 Milan International Film Festival. She’s also been felicitated with a National Award for her role in a short Marathi film called Chaitra.
I’ve seen a lot of Sonali Kulkarni movies including her newest flick, Singham and I truly admire her spontaneity and her acting skills. She really is one of those exceptionally talented women, who’s made a mark in the industry based on her acting capabilities and not just by being talked about for what she wore or being in controversies. So, for her birthday I decided I should celebrate some of her best cinematic moments in Bollywood. Here’s a collection of Sonali’s most memorable roles..which is mostly my favorites.. so you guys should really tell me which other ones you love…coz it would be great to add that to my list of movies to watch asap!
1) Daayra
Though Sonali’s career in movies began with Girish Karnad’s Cheluvi which is a fantasy flick about a girl who can become a tree, her official debut in feature films was Amol Palekar‘s Daayra with Nirmal Pandey.
This was an extremely challenging film as Sonali essayed the character of a boy. The movie dealt with hard hitting issues like cross dressing, rape and other societal problems in rural India. Daayra was widely appreciated and Sonali won Best Actress Award at The France International Film Festival.
2) Mission Kashmir
This was Sonali’s first really big commercial flick which was released all over the country and abroad. Initially, people were skeptical about her playing the role of Hrithik Roshan‘s mum but she really did silence all her critics with her effortless portrayal of Sanjay Dutt’s wife and Hrithik’s foster mom.
And, she was even nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and won numerous other awards for this one. One memorable flick!
3) Dil Chahta Hai
Farhan Akhtar‘s directorial debut was about three friends and their lives after college. This movie which became like a landmark for films about the youth had Sonali in the role of the match that Saif Ali Khan’s parents found for him. As Geeta, the potential arranged marriage bride who Saif falls in love with, she was totally lovable. And who can forget, the famous Jise Doondhta Hoon Main Har Kahin..Woh Ladki Hai Kahan song shot in a retro style with the bird flying step..hee hee…Cute! This was actually the first time Sonali gave comedy a shot and she really excelled at it!
4) Taxi No. 9211
In this Ramesh Sippy flick directed by Milan Luthria, Sonali was fab as the typical lower middle class wife of a taxi driver played by Nana Patekar.
Her Marathi roots helped her play the charatcer to perfection as she carried off the sarees and no makeup look with the greatest of ease. And this was one character where she improvised a lot to make sure it was believable. Now, that’s the mark of a great artist!
5) Singham
Apart from her impressive performances in Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Bride and Prejudice, Via Darjeeling and Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, Sonali had a small but influential role as Megha Kadam in this Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty action thriller. She carried off the character of a widow with great confidence and conviction.
On October 18th this year, Sonali who’s married to Nachiket Pantvaidya gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl. So, it really is a time for double celebration for Sonali and her family.
We at Team MissMalini wish Sonali some super strength to excel at her mommy duties and a delightful birthday which marks the beginning of a great year for her and her little bundle of joy. We really hope that Sonali cherishes the wonderful gift of Motherhood this birthday and also gets back to movies real soon coz we’d love to see more of that adorable smile!