Sonali Bendre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sonali Bendre
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Bendre in 2017
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| Born | 1 January 1975 Mumbai, Maharastra, India
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| Alma mater | Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1994–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
Goldie Behl
(m. 2002) |
| Children | 1 |
| Family | Behl family (by marriage) |
| Awards | Full list |
Sonali Bendre Behl (born on 1 January 1975), known as Sonali Bendre, is a famous Indian actress. She is best known for her work in Hindi films. Sonali was one of the top actresses in the 1990s and early 2000s.
She began her career as a model. Her first movie was Aag in 1994. For this role, she won the Filmfare Award for New Face of the Year. After some early movies, she became very popular with the romantic action film Diljale (1996).
Sonali Bendre starred in many successful films. These include Duplicate (1998), Major Saab (1998), Zakhm (1998), and Sarfarosh (1999). She also appeared in the Tamil film Kadhalar Dhinam (1999) and the hit family drama Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999).
In the early 2000s, her role in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000) earned her an award. She also acted in Telugu films like Murari (2001), Indra (2002), and Manmadhudu (2002). Her performance as a queen in the Marathi film Anahat (2003) was also praised. After this, she took a break from acting in movies.
Later, Sonali Bendre became a judge on popular TV shows. These include India's Got Talent and India's Best Dramebaaz. She also starred in TV series like Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye (2014) and The Broken News (2022-2024). Besides acting, she promotes many brands. She is married to filmmaker Goldie Behl, and they have a son.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sonali Bendre was born on 1 January 1975 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She has two sisters. Her father worked for the government. She went to school in Bangalore at Kendriya Vidyalaya. Later, she studied at Ramnarain Ruia College in Mumbai.
Acting Career Highlights
Starting Out: Modelling and First Films (1994-1995)
Before becoming an actress, Sonali Bendre was a model. She entered a talent search competition. Her first movie was Aag in 1994, when she was 19. She played a college student in the film. For this role, she won the Filmfare Award for Best New Face. She also won the Screen Award for Best Female Debut. In the same year, she appeared in Naaraaz.
In 1995, she had three movies released: The Don, Gaddaar, and Takkar. These films did fairly well at the box office. She also became well-known for the song "Humma Humma" from the movie Bombay.
Becoming a Star: Success in the Late 1990s (1996–2000)
The year 1996 was a big year for Sonali Bendre. She starred in four films. She worked with Sunil Shetty in Rakshak and Sapoot. In Rakshak, she played a doctor. In Sapoot, she played a loyal wife. She also played a village girl in English Babu Desi Mem with Shah Rukh Khan.
Her movie Diljale was a major success. She played a politician's daughter in this film. Diljale became one of the highest-grossing films of that year. English Babu Desi Mem was also a hit overseas. She also appeared in the song "Aara Hile Chapara Hile" from Apne Dam Par. In 1997, she starred in Bhai, Tarazu, and Qahar. These films did not do well at the box office.
1998 was another successful year for Sonali Bendre. She appeared in Keemat – They Are Back, Humse Badhkar Kaun, and Angaaray. She then played Lily, a gangster's girlfriend, in Duplicate with Shah Rukh Khan. This film was a big success outside India. She was nominated for an award for her role in Duplicate. Her next two films, Major Saab and Zakhm, were also among the highest-grossing films of the year.
In 1999, Sonali Bendre played Seema, a police officer's girlfriend, in Sarfarosh. Critics praised her performance. She was nominated for an IIFA Award for Best Actress for this film. Sarfarosh was a commercial success. She then started acting in Tamil films with Kadhalar Dhinam, which was a box office hit. She also appeared in another Tamil film, Kannodu Kanbathellam.
Later, she played a shy doctor, Dr. Preeti, in Hum Saath-Saath Hain. This film became the highest-grossing film of 1999. Her last film of the year was Dahek, where she played two roles.
In 2000, Sonali Bendre had five film releases. She made short appearances in Chal Mere Bhai and Dhai Akshar Prem Ke. She then played Khushi, an NRI girl, in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai. This film was a commercial success. Her performance earned her the Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also played a village girl in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain. This film was a moderate success. Sonali Bendre also made her debut in Kannada films with Preethse.
Exploring New Roles: Telugu Films and TV (2001–2012)
Sonali Bendre made her debut in Telugu films with Murari in 2001. She played Vasundhara, an agriculture student. The film was a big success. She was nominated for a Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu. She then appeared in Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega. She also had a special appearance in the song "Saajan Ke Ghar Jaana Hai" in Lajja. Her last film of the year was Tera Mera Saath Rahen.
In 2002, Sonali Bendre starred in three successful Telugu films. She appeared in Indra, playing a Governor's daughter. She then played Swathi in Khadgam. Later, she played an assistant manager in Manmadhudu. All these films were among the highest-grossing Telugu films of that year.
In 2003, Sonali Bendre made her debut in Marathi films with Anahat. She played Queen Sheelavathi. Her role earned her the Star Screen Award for Best Actress – Marathi. She then appeared in Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaatha. In the Telugu film Palnati Brahmanayudu, she played an obsessive lover. After this, she played a modern girl in Chori Chori. Later, she played a cardiologist, Dr. Priya, in Kal Ho Naa Ho. This film became the highest-grossing film of that year.
In 2004, Sonali Bendre played Dr. Sunitha in Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.. This film was a big commercial success. After a special appearance in a song in the Marathi film Aga Bai Arrecha!, Sonali Bendre took a break from movies. She then started working in television.
In 2007, Sonali Bendre acted in a play called Aap Ki Soniya. In 2001, she started her TV career as a host for the dance show Kya Masti Kya Dhoom....!. She became a judge on many reality shows. These include Mr & Mrs Television (2008), Indian Idol 4 (2008–2009), India's Got Talent (2009–2012), and Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz (2012). She also hosted the 50th Filmfare Awards in 2005.
Return to Acting: Recent Projects (2013–Present)
After a nine-year break, Sonali Bendre returned to films in 2013 with Once Upon ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara!. She played a strong Muslim woman in the film. However, the film did not do well at the box office. From 2013 to 2016, Bendre was a judge on India's Best Dramebaaz. In 2014, she became a narrator for Mission Sapne.
From 2014 to 2015, Sonali Bendre starred in the TV series Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh. She played a strong housewife in the show. This was her first acting role on television. She was nominated for an award for her performance.
After another break, her film Love You Hamesha, which was delayed since 1997, was released on YouTube in 2022. In the same year, she became a judge for DID Li'ls Masters Season 5. This marked her return to television after four years. In 2022, she also made her debut in web series with The Broken News. She played Amina, a news channel head. Critics praised her performance.
In 2023, Sonali Bendre judged India's Best Dancer 3. In 2024, she returned as Amina in The Broken News 2, the second season of her web series. Her performance was highly appreciated.
In 2025, Bendre had a small role in the film Be Happy. She also became a host for Pati, Patni Aur Panga. She is expected to appear in an action-thriller series soon.
Personal Life
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Sonali Bendre met filmmaker Goldie Behl on the sets of her film Naaraaz. Goldie Behl is the son of director Ramesh Behl. Sonali Bendre married Goldie Behl on 12 November 2002 in Mumbai. They have one son, who was born in 2005.
On 4 July 2018, Sonali Bendre shared that she was diagnosed with a type of cancer. She received treatment in a New York City hospital. Even though it was a serious stage of cancer, she became cancer-free in 2021.
Other Activities
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When Michael Jackson performed in Mumbai in 1996, Sonali Bendre welcomed him. She wore a traditional Marathi sari and greeted him with a 'tilak' on his forehead. Sonali Bendre is also a co-owner of Pune Jaguars, a team in The Tennis Premier League. She has walked the ramp for fashion events and charity shows. She has also been a cover model for many magazines.
Sonali Bendre supports various good causes. She helps with children's education and actively supports cancer survivors. She has said that she will always help and support cancer survivors. In 2024, Sonali Bendre started hosting a podcast about pet parenting and animal care called The Happy Pawdcast.
Sonali Bendre also became an author. Her book, "The Modern Gurukul: My Experiment with Parenting", was released in 2015. It talks about her experiences as a first-time mother. In 2025, she wrote another book called "The Book of Books".
Awards and Recognition
Sonali Bendre has received many awards for her acting. These include two Filmfare Awards, four Screen Awards, and one Indian Telly Award. Her Filmfare Awards include Best New Face for Aag and Sensational Debut for Naaraaz.
See also
In Spanish: Sonali Bendre para niños
- List of Hindi film actresses
- List of Indian actresses
