Sonali Kulkarni on her career, “I’m not the star everyone would remember, but there are directors and writers who are writing roles for me”

By Subhash K. Jha -

November 14, 2024 - 2:29 PM IST

The multi-talented Sonali Kulkarni, who turned 50 last week, is proud of what she has achieved. “Any actor would like to be in my shoes. I had three back-to-back hat-trick releases last month. Manwat Murders, Sitara and Jo Tera Hai Wo Mera Hai. At this stage in my life, there are roles written for me. There are producers who are wanting to pay me well, directors wanting to cast me. What else can I ask for? I don't want to change anything. But I don't think sheer acting defines my life because I'm a daughter, I'm a wife, I'm a mother, I'm a friend. I'm a neighbour. I'm an aware citizen. Beyond that, I'm a writer. My second book just got in the market. I love cooking. I love being a homemaker. I'm a nature lover person. I have some social concerns. So, having said that, my identity is because of my professional identity. So, yes, I contradict myself when I say yes and no. But it does, it has its own perks and limitations. But no complaints,” she said.

Sonali Kulkarni on her career, “I’m not the star everyone would remember, but there are directors and writers who are writing roles for me”

Sonali has acted in films in Marathi, Hindi, and South Indian languages. “I always felt Marathi being my mother tongue, I would be most comfortable in Marathi, which I am. But I have worked in so many languages and I have realised that there is something that I am trying to express, which is beyond languages. That expression doesn't have any language barrier. And if the director, actor and co-stars and the cinematographer, they have that tuning with you, they have that understanding of catching the emotion, then it doesn't matter which language you are working in,” she said.

Sonali added, “There was a point when I was working on my Italian film, my director had changed just two lines on the day of the shoot. And I just, I was so frustrated. I was by-hearting the line and I just felt, why the hell am I doing this exercise of working in a different languages, which I don't understand at all. I don't understand their grammar. I don't understand any word. I mean, of course, I could converse in, you know, for primary things. But beyond that, it was very difficult if there was any poetic line. But once my venting was over, in my mind or, you know, when I could catch my normal breath and I went for the scene, and the scene came out very well. And when I saw the film at Venice International Film Festival, I just felt everything was worth it. In Marathi, we have a saying, the entire effort everything was for this. I still can't forget some applause that I have received or some compliments that I have received. And then one feels it’s all worth it.”

Like all true artistes, Sonali is not happy with what she has achieved so far. “I feel that I always feel that I deserve better. But when I say this, it always comes to the glamour. Because maybe I'm not the star where everyone would remember me. But there are directors and writers who are writing roles for me. As I said that producers are happy that I'm working in their project. I believe in myself. And I feel whatever I have, I do deserve it. And that is why I have received it. I am enjoying the run more than the race,” she said.

The actress added, “I feel that my life as an individual and journey as an actor, they run parallel, they complement each other, because I strongly feel that the kind of person you are, reflects in your work. And your work also adds value to your life. So, it goes hand in hand. And overall, I feel so far, my journey has been absolutely enriching. I have met some wonderful people, I have experienced some unique, magical moments, some really warm and amazing bonds. What else can one ask for? I feel quite happy and I look forward to tomorrow and years to come. I have always felt shy about my celebrating my birthdays.”

Sonali added, “Dr. Mohan Agashe once had mentioned, I had called him to wish him happy birthday. And he said, ‘Why are you feeling so ecstatic about my birthday? This is a day where the child and mother, how much ever old the child may be, and the mother may be, but they have to cherish the day.’ He said, ‘Why is the rest of the world is celebrating my birthday?’ Dr Agashe’s words have remained with me ever since.”

“Girish Karnad Uncle proved to be my mentor in the film industry and I'm so happy and proud that he was my first ever director in Cheluvi,” she said. “He guided me through the film. And had he been any other person, I would have felt that mujhe break mil gaya hai aur maine Bollywood mein entry kiya hai. But that film went to Cannes. That film won the Best Environmental Film National Award. And I could meet Mr. President. I was felicitated at the IIFI. It marked a different impression on my mind and my career took a very nice shape and acting and choosing roles and listening to stories carefully always remained the most important thing or the agenda while choosing new work.

Daayra is this writer’s favourite. “Daayra became one of the best films in the Time Magazine list that year. I started winning international awards. Then there are so many, Mission Kashmir, of course, Dil Chahta Hai. Then my Italian film Fuoco Su Di Me, which went to Venice International Film Festival. I got to be with Omar Sharif sir because of that film. I won the Best Actress Award at Venezuela Film Festival. I feel pretty enriched and as I told you earlier, my journey so far has been fabulous. So, had I changed any of these things, probably I would miss one of the turns and junctures. There is a book called The Road Less Travelled. That is how my journey has been,” she signed off.

Also Read: Sonali Kulkarni celebrates 50th birthday and 100-film milestone in Indian and international cinema; says, “After Dil Chahta Hai, people really took note of my presence”