Sonali Bendre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sonali Bendre
Sonali Bendre in 2017
Born	(1975-01-01) 1 January 1975 (age 50) Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Alma mater	Ramnarain Ruia College
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1994–present
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	Goldie Behl ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	1
Family	Behl family (by marriage)

Sonali Bendre (born on January 1, 1975) is a famous Indian actress. She is best known for her roles in Hindi and Telugu movies. Before becoming an actress, Sonali worked as a model. She started her acting journey with the film Aag in 1994. For this first movie, she won the Filmfare Award for New Face of the Year.

Sonali Bendre starred in many successful films. These include Diljale (1996), Major Saab (1998), Sarfarosh (1999), and Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999). Her acting in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000) earned her the Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also acted in the Tamil film Kadhalar Dhinam (1999) and the Telugu film Murari (2001). She was even nominated for a Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu for Murari. Other successful Telugu films she appeared in are Indra, Khadgam, Manmadhudu (all from 2002), and Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. (2004). After starring in the Marathi film Anahat (2003), Sonali took a break from acting in movies.

Later, Sonali Bendre became a judge on popular TV reality shows. Some of these shows include India's Got Talent and India's Best Dramebaaz. She also acted in TV series like Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye (2014) and The Broken News (2022-2024). Besides acting, Sonali is also a well-known face for many brands and products. She is married to filmmaker Goldie Behl, and they have a son together.

Sonali Bendre's Early Life

Sonali Bendre was born on January 1, 1975, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She grew up in a family with two sisters. Her father worked as a government official. Sonali finished her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Bangalore. She then completed her college studies at Ramnarain Ruia College in Mumbai.

Sonali Bendre's Acting Career

Starting with Modelling and First Films (1994-1995)

Before becoming an actress, Sonali Bendre worked as a model. She entered a competition called Star Dust Talent Search. At just 19 years old, she made her first film appearance in Aag (1994). This role won her two awards: the Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year and the Screen Award for Best Female Debut. In the same year, she also appeared in Naaraaz, which earned her the Filmfare's Sensational Debut Award.

In 1995, Sonali had three more films released: The Don, Gaddaar, and Takkar. She became even more recognized for her dance in the popular song "Humma Humma" from the film Bombay.

Becoming a Popular Actress (1996–2000)

Sonali Bendre at an event

The year 1996 was very important for Sonali's career. She had five films released that year. She acted alongside Sunil Shetty in three movies: Rakshak, Apne Dam Par, and Sapoot. She also played a village girl in English Babu Desi Mem with Shah Rukh Khan. Her role in Diljale with Ajay Devgn was a big success at the box office. Critics praised her beauty in the film.

In 1997, Sonali starred in Bhai (with Sunil Shetty), Tarazu (with Akshay Kumar), and Qahar (with Sunny Deol).

The year 1998 was also successful for Sonali. She appeared in Keemat – They Are Back with Saif Ali Khan, Humse Badhkar Kaun, and Angaaray with Nagarjuna. She then acted with Shah Rukh Khan in Duplicate. Her next two films with Ajay Devgn, Major Saab and Zakhm, were very successful.

In 1999, Sonali Bendre starred with Aamir Khan in Sarfarosh. Critics said she did a great job in her role. She was nominated for an IIFA Best Actress Award. Sonali then played Dr. Preeti in Hum Saath-Saath Hain with Salman Khan. This movie became the highest-earning film of that year. She also appeared in Dahek with Akshaye Khanna. That same year, she made her first Tamil film, Kadhalar Dhinam, which was a hit. She also had another Tamil film called Kannodu Kanbathellam.

Sonali had five film releases in 2000. She made short appearances in Chal Mere Bhai and Dhai Akshar Prem Ke. She then played a supporting role in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai with Anil Kapoor. For this role, she won the Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also played the main role in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain with Govinda. In the same year, she made her first Kannada film, Preethse.

Working in Telugu Films and Taking a Break (2001–2012)

In 2001, Sonali Bendre appeared in three films. She made her first Telugu film, Murari, with Mahesh Babu. This film was a big success. She then appeared in Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega with Saif Ali Khan. She also made a special appearance in the song "Saajan Ke Ghar Jaana Hai" in Lajja. Her last film that year was Tera Mera Saath Rahen with Ajay Devgn.

In 2002, Sonali starred in three successful Telugu films. She appeared in Indra with Chiranjeevi. She then acted in Khadgam with Ravi Teja. Finally, she appeared with Nagarjuna in Manmadhudu.

Sonali Bendre in 2012 on the sets of Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz

Sonali had five film releases in 2003. She made her first Marathi film, Anahat, and won the Star Screen Award for Best Actress in Marathi. She also appeared in Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaatha and the Telugu film Palnati Brahmanayudu. Sonali also took on supporting roles in Chori Chori and Kal Ho Naa Ho with Shah Rukh Khan.

In 2004, Sonali Bendre starred in Shankar Dada M.B.B.S., a Telugu remake of Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., with Chiranjeevi. This film was very successful. She also made a special appearance in a song in Aga Bai Arrecha!. In 2007, Sonali acted in a play called Aap Ki Soniya. After this, Sonali took a break from acting in films and started working on television.

Sonali Bendre began her television career by hosting the dance show Kya Masti Kya Dhoom....!. She then became a judge on reality shows like Indian Idol 4, India's Got Talent, Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz, and India's Best Dramebaaz. She also hosted the 50th Filmfare Awards in 2005.

Recent Work (2012–Present)

In 2014, Sonali Bendre became the narrator for the show Mission Sapne on Colors TV. She returned to films in 2013 with Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!, where she acted with Akshay Kumar. Her role in the film was unique and special.

From 2014 to 2015, Sonali played a strong housewife named Shobha Sachdev in the TV series Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh. This was her first acting role on television.

In 2022, her film Love You Hamesha, which was made in 1997, was finally released on YouTube. She also returned as a judge for DID Li'ls Masters Season 5 in 2022. Later that year, Sonali made her debut in web series with The Broken News, where she played the head of a news channel. Critics praised her performance, saying she was excellent in emotional scenes.

In 2024, Sonali Bendre continued her role in the second season of The Broken News. Her performance was highly appreciated by critics.

Sonali Bendre's Personal Life and Other Work

Sonali Bendre with her husband Goldie Behl in 2015

Sonali Bendre first met filmmaker Goldie Behl on the set of her film Naaraaz. Goldie is the son of director Ramesh Behl. Sonali and Goldie got married on November 12, 2002, in Mumbai. They have one son, who was born in 2005.

On July 4, 2018, Sonali Bendre shared that she was diagnosed with a serious type of cancer. She received treatment in a hospital in New York City. Even though it was a difficult journey, she became cancer-free in 2021.

When Michael Jackson had a concert in Mumbai in 1996, Sonali Bendre had the honor of welcoming him. She wore a traditional Marathi sari and welcomed him by applying a 'tilak' on his forehead. Sonali 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 featured on the covers of many magazines, including Vogue. Sonali supports various good causes, like children's education and helping cancer survivors. She believes in supporting cancer survivors in any way she can.

Sonali Bendre's Films

Sonali Bendre's Television Work

Awards and Recognitions

Film and Television Awards

Other Special Recognitions

See also

In Spanish: Sonali Bendre para niños