Renowned actress Sonali Kulkarni, who has once again come up trumps with her role in digital film Love, Sitara, believes there is a lot to learn from the younger generation
Remember the beautiful lady vivaciously performing the ‘butterfly step’ in the song Wo Ladki Hai Kahan from the 2001 blockbuster Dil Chahta Hai? Well, if not, Sonali Kulkarni did delight one and all with her act. Cut to 2024 - the lady still has the same verve that has helped her ace many a role in not only Bollywood, but also Marathi cinema.
Seen in the latest digital film Love, Sitara, she hopes the good times are here to stay. “Quite a few of my projects are on the digital platforms now and I am hoping there are many more to come. OTT is indeed a boon with so many openings for the ones who are talented and wanting to go the distance with their act.”
Love, Sitara was an experience she recounts as memorable. “I play a character named Hema, a woman in her forties with shades of grey. She is an air-hostess who is into a complex relationship. The show is about a dysfunctional family where many skeletons tumble out of the closet. All in all, it is about her catharsis and I loved essaying the role.”
Working with her co-sta~was heartening too, as the talent around her impressed this star, “This was a bunch of really gifted actress. Sobhita Dhulipala is a proven talent and impresses with each role she essays, while Rajeev Siddhartha is a class act too. I really enjoyed the company of everyone on the sets.” Among the latest crop of actors, she admires Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Mrunal Thakur.
Having shone on screen for the past two decades, there must be a sea of changes Sonali must have witnessed? “There has been a veritable kranti in the film industry with the technological developments. One needs to keep pace with them to understand the nuances of modern-day filmmaking. Also, OTT has revolutionised the way we look at entertainment now. While nothing can replace the joy of the 70-mm experience in theatres, with the digital medium it is like anywhere, anytime! There is a whole lot of accessibility and convenience nowadays.”
Recipient of several accolades, including a National Film Award, four Filmfare Marathi Awards and four Maharashtra State Film Awards, she views Hindi and Marathi cinema in similar light. “Only the budgets differ,” says Sonali.
In the fast-changing world where social media can create a lot of negative energy, Sonali begs to differ. “Rather, social media is a delightful way to reach out to the fans. It’s about looking at the glass as half-full, than half-empty. While I look at its positives all the times, the flipside does not bother me much. My entire energy goes in how I perform in front of the camera the next day. Other things doing the rounds are of least concern.”
Rather than advising youngsters, Sonali believes it is time to learn from them. “The generation next is confident and fearless, which is something I want to imbibe. I was not the same during their age,” she quips. Her repertoire of languages is huge too — Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Italian and more — what’s the secret behind her lingual felicity? “Interest and God gift,” she beams.
Among her best works, she counts Dil Chahta Hai, Mission Kashmir and Taxi Number 9211, but on her mind is a role that she has wanted to essay for long. “It’s a heart’s wish and I do not want to jinx it. Still, I want to play a sportsperson in the times to come. Not many know that I am a trained triathlete and it’s a passion I pursue whenever I find time. Essaying such a role on the screen would come easy.”
Sonali is also a published author who is one book old and the next one is in the pipeline — a collection of articles she had penned as a columnist for newspapers. Hoping that her upcoming crime series Manvat Murders, releasing on Sony LIV on October 4, makes a mark too, Sonali is sure here to stay. And, here to impress!
