Sonali Bendre
Sonali Bendre (born 1 January 1975) is an Indian actress and model who has primarily worked in Hindi films, alongside Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Marathi language films. She has won several awards, including a Filmfare Award. She established herself as one of the leading Indian actress of the 90s and is known for her style statements. Bendre as a teenager did a few modelling assignments and appeared in several television commercials, before making her acting debut in 1994 with "Aag", and had her first commercial success and breakthrough with the action romance Diljale (1996). She rose to prominence  with starring roles in "Major Saab" (1998), "Zakhm" (1998), "Sarfarosh" (1999), "Hum Saath-Saath Hain" (1999), "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai" (2000) and a guest appearance in "Kal Ho Naa Ho" (2003). Further success came with the Tamil films "Kadhalar Dhinam" (1999) and "Kannodu Kanbathellam" (1999), the Kannada film "Preethse" (2000), Telugu romances "Murari" (2001), "Indra" (2002), "Khadgam" (2002) and "Manmadhudu" (2002), and the Marathi film "Anahat" (2003). Bendre married director Goldie Behl in 2002; the couple have a son. Post a break from full-time acting in 2004, she commenced work on television, which includes featuring as a talent  judge on various reality shows, including "Indian Idol 4" and "India's Got Talent." Bendre also played the leading role in Star Life OK's television series "Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh" in 2015. Early and personal life. Bendre was born on 1 January 1975 in present-day Mumbai in a Maharashtrian family. She has 2 sisters. Her father was a civil servant. She studied at Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai. She studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bangalore. She married filmmaker Goldie Behl in 2002 and has a son named Ranveer. Cancer On 4 July 2018 she revealed on Twitter that she has  been diagnosed with a metastatic cancer and was undergoing treatment in a New York City hospital. Career. Modelling and film debut (1994-1995). Bendre was a model before entering the "Star Dust Talent Search". She was then cast in a movie called "Ram," produced by Sohail Khan. However, this movie was never made. Her first major role was in "Aag" (1994) at the age of 19. For this, she won the Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year and Star Screen Awards for Most Promising Newcomer. In 1994, she also appeared in "Naaraaz", for which she was awarded  Filmfare's Sensational Debut award. In 1995, she appeared in "Bombay" in the song Humma Humma. Breakthrough , success and establishment (1996-2003). In 1996, she starred in "Rakshak", "English Babu Desi Mem", "Diljale", "Apne Dam Par" and "Sapoot". In the same year, she welcomed Michael Jackson on his arrival in India in a traditional Marathi sari and applied tilak on his forehead. In 1997 and 1998, Bendre starred in "Bhai", "Tarazu", "Qahar", "Keemat", "Humse Badhkar Kaun", "Major Saab", "Angaaray" and "Zakhm". She was seen opposite Shah Rukh Khan in "Duplicate". In 1999, Bendre starred in two Tamil films: "Kadhalar Dhinam  and Kannodu Kanbathellam". Bendre also starred in "", "Dahek" and "Sarfarosh" as well. In 2000, Bendre made a brief cameo in "Chal Mere Bhai" and "Dhai Akshar Prem Ke". She later appeared in "Hamaara Dil Aapke Paas Hai." Bendre won a Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actress and got nominated for Planet - Bollywood People's Choice Awards (Best Supporting Actress) and Best Supporting Actress. Then, Bendre starred in "Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain". In the same year, she made her debut in Kannada with the movie "Preethse", a remake of "Darr". In 2003, Bendre made her Marathi debut with "Anahat , for which she got nominated for Star Screen Awards Best Actress in Marathi. 2004 was the last active year of Bendre's career. She starred in Shankar Dada MBBS" and made a special appearance in "Aga Bai Arrecha!". In addition to her acting, she was also recognised as a dancer through films such as "Gaddar," "Sapoot," "Bombay," "Lajja" and "Major Saab". She took a break after this. In 2007, Bendre starred in a play called "Aap Ki Soniya". Bollywood comeback (2013-present). In 2012, Bendre opted out of "India's Got Talent" in order to facilitate her comeback movie "Once  Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!". Her part was described by the director Milan Luthria: "Sonali's character is called Mumtaz. The name spells enigma and is very crucial to the plot of the film. The character doesn't fit into the usual mould of a mother or a sister or bhabhi but has an identity of its own. That is what makes it special. And that's why Sonali agreed to be a part of the film." Television career (2001-present). In 2001, Bendre hosted the television dance show "Kya Masti Kya Dhoom...!" and featured as a talent judge  for Mr & Mrs Television, the reality shows "Indian Idol 4", "India's Got Talent", "Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz" and "India's Best Dramebaaz". She also hosted the 50th Filmfare Awards with Saif Ali Khan and Farida Jalal on 26 February 2005. She narrated the TV Show "Mission Sapne" on Colors in 2014. Sonali made her television acting debut with the Star Life OK's television series "Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh". She played Shobha Sachdev. She will next be seen in "DID Li'ls Masters Season 5" in 2022. In the media. Bendre has been considered a style icon. In 2012, she was  the brand ambassador of Oriflame India. She has authored a book, "The Modern Gurukul: My Experiments with Parenting". She has run the Sonali Book Club since 2017.