Sonali Bendre is an Indian film actress, television presenter and model. She has been part of the Hindi film industry for more than two decades, having worked in several successful films like Aarzoo (1999), Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) and Taal (1999). Along with her impressive filmography, she is also known for her philanthropic work, personal life and relationships as well as her social media presence. In this blog post, we will explore Sonali Bendre’s biography, career highlights, awards and accomplishments, philanthropy work and other interesting aspects of her life.
Early Life and Education
Sonali was born on 1 January 1975 in Mumbai, Maharashtra into a Maharashtrian family. She studied at the Carmelite Convent High School, Bandra after which she attended Jai Hind College. During college, she entered several beauty pageants and eventually started modeling professionally. Her first appearance onscreen was in 1994 when she featured in a video album called
Hum Bhi Pagal Tum Bhi Pagal
. This led to many offers from ad agencies, leading to Sonali becoming one of India’s most sought-after models.
Film and Television Career Highlights
In 1996, Sonali made her debut in the Telugu movie
Pavitra
opposite Venkatesh Daggubati. The following year, she acted in
Diljale
alongside Ajay Devgn. It was during this time that she made her foray into the Hindi film industry by appearing in
Tohfa Mohabbat Ka
alongside Sunil Shetty and Madhuri Dixit. She then went on to star in some memorable hits such as Aarzoo (1999), Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) and Taal (1999). Sonali also starred in a number of TV shows including ‘Ghar Ek Mandir’, ‘Kehta Hai Dil’ and ‘Sindoor Tere Naam Ka’ among others.
Recent Projects and Endeavors
Since 2012, Sonali has kept busy with various projects ranging from hosting reality shows such as ‘India’s Got Talent’ to acting in Tamil and Kannada movies. Most recently, she hosted a cooking show called ‘MasterChef India Season 5’. Additionally, she has launched her own fashion line called
Blend Marley
, providing stylish contemporary apparel for women.
Accolades Received Throughout Her Career
Throughout her career, Sonali has received numerous accolades recognizing her acting skills and contributions to the entertainment industry. In 1997, she was awarded the Best Debutant Female Actor Award at the Zee Cine Awards for her performance in
Pavitra
. Two years later, she won the Screen Videocon Best Actress Award for her role in
Hum Saath-Saath Hain
. She was also presented with the Kalakar Award for her performance in
Aarzoo
in 1999.
Notable Awards Won by Sonali Bendre
Over the years, Sonali has been honored with a number of prestigious awards including the IIFA Special Appreciation Award for Outstanding Performance in 2001 and Stardust Star Of The Year – Woman Of The Decade Award in 2006. She also won the FICCI Frames Excellence Honours Award for Contribution To Cinema in 2008. In 2019, she was bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Gondwana University for her immense contribution to the field of Arts & Culture.
Philanthropic Work
Apart from her acting career, Sonali is actively involved in philanthropic activities. In 2010, she partnered with PETA India to promote animal rights and launched a campaign urging people to boycott horse races held annually across India. She is also associated with CRY – Child Rights & You – an NGO working towards ensuring basic rights of children across India.
Personal Life and Relationships
Sonali married filmmaker Goldie Behl on 12 November 2002 after being in a relationship for three years. The couple have a son named Ranveer who was born in 2005. They are often seen attending events together and making public appearances. Sonali is very close to her family and loves spending time with them whenever possible.
Social Media Presence
With over 9 million followers on Instagram alone, Sonali enjoys great popularity on social media platforms. She frequently posts pictures of herself with friends and family, behind-the-scenes pictures from shoots and more. Recently, she opened up about her battle with cancer on Instagram and wrote about it extensively. She used her platform to inspire fans to stay strong during difficult times.
Conclusion
Overall, Sonali Bendre is a truly inspiring figure who has achieved tremendous success both in her professional and personal life. From starting out as a model to featuring in some critically acclaimed films, she has come a long way and continues to entertain audiences even today. She sets an example through her charitable works while constantly encouraging people to live their best lives no matter what obstacles they face.