Sonali Bendre (born 1 January 1975) is an Indian film actress, model and author. Primarily worked in Hindi films, she has also appeared in Telugu, Tamil, Marathi and Kannada films and has won a Filmfare Award.

Bendre was born in Bombay (present-day Mumbai) in a Maharashtrian family. She studied at Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai. She has a brother who lives in Mumbai. Her father was a civil servant. She studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bangalore.

Modelling and movie debut (1994-1995)

Bendre started out as a model before getting selected for the Star Dust Talent Search. She eventually got the opportunity to study under the guidance of the best Bollywood actors and performers. Initially, she was 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.

Established actress (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. At the beginning of 1999, Bendre starred in two Tamil Movies: Kadhalar Dhinam and Kannodu Kanbathellam. Bendre starred in Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United, 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 2001, she made her Telugu debut with Mahesh Babu. For this film, she was nominated for a Filmfare Award for Best Actress in Telugu. Then, she was seen in Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega. She featured in a song, Mujhe Saajan Ke Ghar Jaana Hai, in Lajja. Bendre later acted in Tera Mera Saath Rahen.

In 2002, Bendre starred in 3 Telugu Movies: Indra, Khadgam and Manmadhudu. In 2003, Bendre made her Marathi debut with Anahat, for which she got nominated for Star Screen Awards Best Actress in Marathi. Consecutively, Bendre starred in Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaatha (Hindi), Palnati Brahmanayudu (Telugu) and Chori Chori (Hindi). She made a special appearance in Kal Ho Naa Ho.

2004 was the last active year of her career. Bendre 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 Gadar, Sapoot, Bombay, Lajja and Major Saab. She took a break after this. In 2007, Bendre starred in a play called Aap Ki Soniya.

Television career

In 2001, Bendre ventured into television and hosted the 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 was the narrator on the TV Show Mission Sapne, aired on Colors in 2014. Bendre played the lead role, Shoba Sachdev, in Star Life OK's television serial Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh.

Bollywood comeback

In June 2012, Bendre was rumoured to quit judging India's Got Talent 4. She was said to be likely replaced by Ritesh Deshmukh. However, she opted out of the show in order to give her dates for her comeback movie Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!. In July, Bendre announced that she would be making her comeback by portraying a character connected to the one played by Akshay Kumar in the movie. 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." After she was offered Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobaara!, she agreed because of her friendship with Ekta and Shobha Kapoor, and the fact she had previously worked with both Luthria (Chori Chori) and Akshay Kumar (in Tarazu, Sapoot, Angaaray and Keemat).

Other pursuits

During her time, she was considered a style icon and many used to get inspired by her outfits in movies. In 2012, she was the brand ambassador of Oriflame India. Bendre has authored a book, The Modern Gurukul: My Experiments with Parenting, sharing her three principles of parenting that find a balance between traditional and modern values. She has been running a digital book club since 2017, called Sonali Book Club. Through her book club, Bendre organizes events to increase interest in reading and bring Indian authors to interact with the urban millennial generation.

Bendre married film director Goldie Behl on 12 November 2002. The two had a son on 11 August 2005.

The state government of Rajasthan filed an appeal against acquittal of Bendre and other Bollywood actors in connection with hunting of two blackbucks in 1998 at Kankani village near Jodhpur.

On 4 July 2018 she revealed on Twitter that she has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and was undergoing treatment in a New York City hospital. Post treatment, she returned from US in December 2018. Ram Kadam, a politician , posted a false tweet about Bendre's death in September 2018. Kadam was criticized for spreading this false rumor.