Sonali Bendre

Sonali Bendre Behl (born 1 January 1975), is an Indian actress predominantly known for her work in Hindi and Telugu films. One of the leading actresses of the 1990s,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bendre started her career as a model and marked her acting debut with Aag (1994), which won her the Filmfare Award for New Face of the Year.

Following several box office failures, she had her career breakthrough with the romantic action film Diljale (1996). Bendre achieved further success by featuring as the female lead in the action comedy Duplicate (1998), the action Major Saab (1998), the drama Zakhm (1998), the action thriller Sarfarosh (1999), the romantic Tamil film Kadhalar Dhinam (1999) and the highly successful family drama Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999)

In the following decade, Bendre's performance in the romantic drama Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000), earned her the Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress. She further expanded to South Indian films with the psychological thriller Preethse (2000) and Telugu films with the romantic drama Murari (2001), for which she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu nomination, the action drama Indra (2002), the romantic comedy Manmadhudu (2002) and the comedy drama Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. (2004), all of which were box office successes. Her portrayal of a queen in the Marathi film Anahat (2003), was followed by a hiatus from acting.

Bendre has since appeared as a judge on various reality shows including India's Got Talent and India's Best Dramebaaz. Later, Bendre starred in the television series Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye (2014) and The Broken News (2022-2024). The latter earned her a Filmfare OTT Awards nomination. Along with her acting career, Bendre is a celebrity endorser for brands and products. She is married to filmmaker Goldie Behl with whom she has a son.

Early life

Bendre was born on 1 January 1975<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in present-day Mumbai, Maharashtra. She has two sisters. Her father was a civil servant.<ref name="behl2010">Template:Cite news</ref> She completed her schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bangalore and later completed her graduation from Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai.<ref name="College">Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

Modelling and early work (1994-1995)

Bendre started her career as a model and later entered the Stardust Talent Search. She made her screen debut with the 1994 film Aag, at the age of 19, playing a college student Parul opposite Govinda.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> For her performance, she won the Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year and Screen Award for Best Female Debut.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="1995Awards">Template:Cite news</ref> In the same year, she also appeared in Naaraaz, for which she earned the Filmfare Sensational Debut Award.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="sensational debut filmfare">Template:Cite web</ref>

Bendre had three releases in 1995 with The Don opposite Mithun Chakraborty,<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Gaddaar and Takkar opposite Sunil Shetty. All these films turned to be box office averages.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following this, Bendre received recognition with the song "Humma Humma" from the film, Bombay, which emerged a box office success.<ref name="BombayTOI">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Established actress (1996–2000)

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Bendre at an event

The year 1996 marked a turning point in Bendre's career with four film releases. She first starred opposite Sunil Shetty in two films - Rakshak and Sapoot.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Rakshak, she played a doctor, while in Sapoot, a dutiful wife.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following this, Bendre played Bijuriya, a village girl taking care of her sister's son in English Babu Desi Mem opposite Shah Rukh Khan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She played Radhika, a politician's daughter in Diljale, her last release of the year opposite Ajay Devgn.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film proved to be her breakthrough and Avinash Ramchandani noted, "Sonali Bendre is dashingly beautiful".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> English Babu Desi Mem became an overseas success, while Diljale became one of the year's highest grossing release.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That year, she also appeared in the song "Aara Hile Chapara Hile", from Apne Dam Par.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1997, Bendre starred in Bhai opposite Sunil Shetty,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in Tarazu opposite Akshay Kumar<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in Qahar opposite Sunny Deol. All these films had poor box office collections.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

1998 was another successful year for Bendre, earning her commercial and critical success. She first appeared in Keemat – They Are Back opposite Saif Ali Khan,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in Humse Badhkar Kaun and Angaaray opposite Nagarjuna.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> For Angaaray, Suparn Verma noted, "Sonali oozes sex appeal and is good in parts."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She then played Lily, a gangster's girlfriend opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Duplicate, which was an average domestic success but a huge success overseas.<ref name="1995Awards"/> She received Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female nomination for the film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her next two release where opposite Ajay Devgn: Major Saab, where she played Nisha, a gangster's sister in love with an army officer. India Today found her to be "insipid".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In Zakhm, she played Sonia, who with her husband is fed up with religious conflict. Anish Khanna noted that she made "an impact".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both Major Saab and Zakhm emerged among the highest grossing releases of the year.<ref name=r1>Template:Cite web</ref>

In her first release of 1999, Bendre played Seema, a police officer's lover opposite Aamir Khan in Sarfarosh.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A critic from Filmfare noted, "Sonali does justice to her first real role, the only one worth talking about, that is".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film became a commercial success and earned her IIFA Award for Best Actress nomination.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She then expanded to Tamil films with Kadhalar Dhinam opposite Kunal, which was a box office success.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "Sonali looks pretty and enjoys her portion in the dance and romantic sequences."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She later appeared in another Tamil film Kannodu Kanbathellam opposite Arjun Sarja.<ref name="Silverscreen Multiple Movies">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bendre then portrayed as shy doctor, Dr. Preeti in Hum Saath-Saath Hain opposite Salman Khan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="PremPreeti">Template:Cite web</ref> The film emerged as the highest-grossing film of the year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While Anupama Chopra from India Today states, "The women mostly doll up, dance and cook", Alok Kumar opined, "Sonali don't really do much, but looks good doing whatever she does".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Her year's last release came with Dahek opposite Akshaye Khanna, where she played dual roles of Sabina and Neelima, both being Hindu girls who falls in love with a Muslim boys.<ref name="Dahek">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bendre had five releases in 2000. She first made brief cameos in Chal Mere Bhai<ref name="Hindu">Template:Cite news</ref> and Dhai Akshar Prem Ke.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She then played a NRI girl Khushi in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai opposite Anil Kapoor, which was a commercial success. Her performance earned her the Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress.<ref name="1995Awards"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Reviewer from Planet Bollywood opined, "Bendre turns in a charming performance as Khushi. She looks beautiful and, for once, shows a glimmer of talent."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain opposite Govinda, she played a village girl Saanvi.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="NavodayaBday">Template:Cite web</ref> Sharmila Taliculam was appreciative of her for matching Govinda's dancing. It became a moderate success.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In her final film of the year, Bendre made her Kannada film debut with Preethse, a remake of Darr, opposite Shiva Rajkumar and Upendra, where she played a college student Kiran.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> M D Riti of Rediff.com stated, "Bendre looked pretty but her role lacked significance."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It emerged as one of the highest grossing Kannada film of the year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Further success, television and hiatus (2001–2012)

In her first film of 2001, Bendre marked her Telugu film debut with Murari opposite Mahesh Babu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She played Vasundhara, an agricultural student and a critic of Sify found her to be "charming". It was a major box office success and she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu nomination.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She next appeared in Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega opposite Saif Ali Khan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Taran Adarsh stated, "Sonali Bendre doesn't get enough scope to display histrionics."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She then appeared in the song "Saajan Ke Ghar Jaana Hai" in Lajja.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In her last release of the year, Bendre reunited with Ajay Devgn in Tera Mera Saath Rahen, playing Madhuri, an independent women.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Priyanka Bhattacharya noted, "Sonali looks pretty but is not given much scope to act."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega and Tera Mera Saath Rahen were box office bombs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bendre went onto appear in three critically and commercially successful Telugu films in 2002. She first appeared in Indra opposite Chiranjeevi, playing Pallavi, a Governor's daughter.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Reviewer from Idlebrain.com noted, "Sonali suited the role to tee and did her bit to perfection."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She next appeared as Swathi in Khadgam opposite Srikanth.<ref>Template:Cite web(in Telugu)</ref> Later, she played a spirited assistant manager Harika opposite Nagarjuna in Manmadhudu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A critic from Sify stated, "Sonali is excellent and has played her role with conviction."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Another critic stated, "The role requires Sonali to perform, not just appear as a glam doll. She takes the opportunity with zeal and does her role with ease."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All these films emerged among the highest grossing Telugu films of the year, with Indra being one of the highest grossing South Indian film at that point of time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Bendre in 2011 on the sets of India's Got Talent

Bendre marked her Marathi film debut with her first release of 2003, Anahat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Her portrayal of Queen Sheelavathi earned her the Star Screen Award for Best Actress – Marathi. Pankaj Upadhyaya opined, "Sonali Bendre has never looked so good, so sensual."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She next appeared in Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaatha opposite Diwakar Pundir.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the Telugu film Palanati Brahmanaidu opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna, she played Sivanageshwari, an obsessive lover.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rediff.comTemplate:'s Vijayalaxmi found Bendre to be "good as the villain".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following this, Bendre played a modern girl Pooja in Chori Chori opposite Ajay Devgn, a box office average.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sukanya Verma noted, "Bendre is required to look both beautiful and jealous and does it admirably."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later, she played Dr. Priya, a cardiologist in Kal Ho Naa Ho alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Kapoor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It emerged as the year's highest grossing film.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In her only release of 2004, Bendre played Dr. Sunitha in Shankar Dada M.B.B.S., a remake of Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., opposite Chiranjeevi.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It became a major commercial successful.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A reviewer of Idlebrain.com noted, "Sonali Bendre is totally cool. She is the perfect choice for this role and has acted with ease.".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following a appearance in the song "Cham Cham Karta Hai", in the Marathi film Aga Bai Arrecha!Template:'s, Bendre took a break from acting in films and shifted to television.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2007, Bendre starred in a theatre play called Aap Ki Soniya. In 2001, Bendre made her television debut as the host for the dance show Kya Masti Kya Dhoom....!. She went onto become a talent judge for Mr & Mrs Television (2008), the reality shows Indian Idol 4 (2008–2009), India's Got Talent (2009–2012), Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz (2012).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She also hosted the 50th Filmfare Awards with Saif Ali Khan and Farida Jalal on 26 February 2005.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Intermittent work and streaming projects (2013–present)

Following a hiatus of nine years, Bendre returned to films with Once Upon ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara! in 2013. Reuniting with Akshay Kumar, she played Mumtaz, a strong Muslim women.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Anupama Chopra opined, "Sonali Bendre shines in the few scenes she has."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film however failed at the box office.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> From 2013 to 2016, Bendre judged India's Best Dramebaaz.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> In 2014, she turned narrator for Mission Sapne.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

From 2014 to 2015, Bendre portrayed a strong housewife Shobha Sachdev opposite Apurva Agnihotri and Harsh Chhaya in the Life OK's series Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It marked her television acting debut and earned her a nomination for Indian Telly Award for Best Onscreen Couple with Agnihotri.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Following another hiatus, her delayed 1997 film Love You Hamesha, opposite Akshaye Khanna, was released on YouTube in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the same year, she turned judge for DID Li'ls Masters Season 5, marking her television comeback after four years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In her final work of the year, Bendre made her streaming debut with The Broken News, portraying a news channel head Amina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Namrata Thakker noted, "Sonali stands out, delivering a nuanced performance. She aces the emotional scenes."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While Saibal Chatterjee added, "Bendre, brings remarkable maturity and balance to bear upon her interpretation of her role."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, Bendre judged India's Best Dancer 3.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In her only release of 2024, Bendre reprised her character Amina, in The Broken News 2, the second season of her web debut.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Writing for The Indian Express, Shubhra Gupta was appreciative of her performance and called her the "strongest reason" to watch the series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bendre began 2025 with a cameo in the film Be Happy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following this, she turned host for Pati Patni Aur Panga – Jodiyon Ka Reality Check.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bendre will next appear in an action-thriller series Raakh alongside Ali Fazal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

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Bendre with husband Goldie Behl in 2015

Bendre first met filmmaker Goldie Behl, son of director Ramesh Behl on the sets of her film Naaraaz.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=sona1>Template:Cite news</ref> Bendre married Behl on 12 November 2002 in Mumbai.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They have one child, a son born in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 4 July 2018, Bendre announced that, she has been diagnosed with a metastatic cancer and was undergoing treatment in a New York City hospital.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":1" /> Despite having stage 4 cancer, the actress became cancer free in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Off-screen work

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Bendre at Tennis Premier League in 2021

When Michael Jackson performed at a concert in Mumbai in 1996, Bendre had the opportunity to welcome Jackson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She was dressed in a traditional Marathi sari and welcomed Jackson by applying the traditional 'tilak' on his forehead.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bendre co-owns Pune Jaguars, a team at The Tennis Premier League.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She has ramp walked for Made In India and Pidilite - CPAA charity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She has also been cover model for various magazines including Vogue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bendre supports a number of causes,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> including children's education and has been actively supporting cancer survivors. She says, "In whatever capacity I can, I will always be there to help and support the cause of cancer survivors."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2024, Bendre turned host for a podcast on pet parenting and animal care named, The Happy Pawdcast.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bendre turned an author with her book named, "The Modern Gurukul: My Experiment with Parenting", which talks about her achievements and challenges as a first-time mother. It was released in 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2025, she authored another book named, "The Book of Books".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Controversy

Template:Main In 1998, Bendre was charged with poaching two blackbucks on the outskirts of Kankani village in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain along with co-stars Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu and Neelam Kothari.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A lower court charged her with the others under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the IPC. She had filed a revision petition before a sessions court which discharged her of Section 51 (causing harm to wildlife) of Wildlife Act and both of 147 (punishment for rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly of persons) of the Indian Penal Code.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Rajasthan State Government then filed a revision petition before the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur which again added Section 149 against her, which had been dropped earlier. In December 2012, the Jodhpur court summoned her along with all the accused for commencement of the trial with the revised charges on 4 February 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Although Bendre was acquitted in the blackbuck poaching case on 5 April 2018,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the Rajasthan High Court issued her with a notice, challenging her acquittal on 11 March 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Overly detailed inline

In 2001, Bendre was arrested by Mumbai Police for wearing thigh-length, lemon yellow kurta with Om and Om Namah Shivay printed on it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Reception and public image

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Bendre in 2012

Bendre has often been regarded as one of the most popular and stylish actresses in Indian cinema.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bendre is considered among India's most beautiful actresses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She ranks among the highest-grossing actresses in Indian cinema.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rahul Gangwani of Filmfare termed her "beautiful and fresher than the first rains" and said, "Even though Sonali hasn't appeared on the big screen for a decade now, the craze for her remains unbeaten."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> India Today termed the actress, "The poster girl of the late 90s".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> News18 called her the "Golden Girl of Bollywood" and added, "Bendre, renowned for her work in Hindi films and beyond, has carved a niche for herself as a style icon."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a 1999 Interview with Rediff.com, she revealed her acting approach. She said, Template:Blockquote

Bendre appeared on Forbes IndiaTemplate:'s Celebrity 100 list of 2016, ranking 99th, with an estimated annual income of Template:INRConvert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As of 2016, two of her films have grossed more than Template:INRConvert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bendre has said her films, Naaraaz, Zakhm and Sarfarosh, are among the best moments from Indian cinema.<ref name="Zakhm movie">Template:Cite news</ref> Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna has compared her with actress P. Bhanumathi, while praising her performance in Palnati Brahmanayudu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bendre was placed 36th in FHM IndiaTemplate:'s 100 sexiest women list.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, Bendre was among the most searched personality on Google in Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In addition to her acting career, Bendre is a celebrity endorser for brands and products such as Nirma,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Radha Clothing, Oriflame India,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Omega, Real Juice and Dr. Oetker.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Work and accolades

Bendre is a recipient of several accolades including two Filmfare Awards, four Screen Awards and one Indian Telly Award.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Her two Filmfare Awards includes: Lux New Face of the Year for Aag and Sensational Debut for Naaraaz.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Bibliography

• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book

See also

• List of Hindi film actresses
• List of Indian actresses

External links

• Template:IMDb name
• Template:Bollywood Hungama