A model-turned-actress, Sonali Bendre faced a lot of rejection and probably had the most number of flops as a newcomer. She began her acting career with Mahesh Bhatt’s film titled ‘Naraaz’ with Atul Agnihotri and Mithun Chakraborty. Though the film did not do too well, her contemporary good looks caught the eye of the industry, and she bagged a number of movies including English Babu Desi Mem with Shahrukh Khan, Sapoot and Angaaray with Nagarjuna, before she really hit it big with movies like Bhai with Sunil Shetty, Diljale & Major Saab with Ajay Devgan, and Duplicate with Shahrukh Khan. Then came a couple of other memorable performances with Zakhm, Sarfarosh and Rajshree Productions Hum Saath Saath Hai.

Though the actress had to struggle for success initially, she later worked with almost all the renowned actors of the industry. She has acted opposite all the four Khans namely, Aamir, Shahrukh, Saif and Salman. Apart from this, she has starred opposite some of the biggest names in Bollywood such as Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt and Anil Kapoor. Her performances were acclaimed in films like ‘Bhai’ (1997), ‘Sarfarosh’ (1999), ‘Zakhm’, ‘Duplicate’, ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’: We Stand United (1999), ‘Dil Hi Dil Mein’ (2000), ‘Tera Mera Saath Rahey’ and ‘Anaahat’ (2003).

In 2001, she won the Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actress for ‘Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai’. Moreover, she was the only cast member of the film, who was nominated and finally won the award. Her comic performance in the film ‘Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega’ was also appreciated. She is also known to be a great dancer, showing her mettle in films like Bombay, Lajja and Major Saab. She is even stated to be one of the top most beautiful Bollywood actresses. In the year 2002, Sonali Bendre tied the knot with producer and director Goldie Behl and gave birth to son Ranvir on August 9, 200 at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

Films Done By Sonali Bendre

1994 Aag Parul Hindi Hindi debut
1995 The Don Anita Malik Hindi
1996 Rakshak Dr. Pooja Malhotra Hindi
1996 English Babu Desi Mem Bijuriya Hindi
1996 Diljale Radhika Hindi
1996 Apne Dam Par Herself Hindi Special appearance in the song “Aara Hile Chapara Hile”
1996 Sapoot Kajal Hindi
1997 Bhai Meenu Hindi
1998 Keemat – They Are Back Mansi Hindi
1999 Sarfarosh Seema Hindi
1999 Kannodu Kanbathellam Kalyani Tamil
1999 Hum Saath Saath Hain Preeti Hindi
1999Dahek Sabina Bahkshi/Neelima Bahkshi Hindi
2000 Chal Mere Bhai Piya Hindi Cameo appearance
2001 Murari Vasundhara Telugu Telugu debut
2002 Indra Pallavi Telugu
2002 Khadgam Swathi Telugu
2002 Manmadhudu Harika Telugu
2003 Anahat Queen Sheelavathi Marathi
2003 Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaatha Disha Hindi
2003 Palnati Brahmanayudu Siva Nageswari Telugu
2003 Chori Chori Pooja Hindi
2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho Priya Hindi Cameo appearance
2004 Shankar Dada MBBS Dr. Sunita/ Chitti Telugu
2004 Aga Bai Arrecha! Herself Marathi Special appearance in the song “Cham Cham Karta Hai”
2013 Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara! Mumtaz Khan Hindi Cameo appearance

Television Done By Sonali Bendre

2001–2002 Kya Masti Kya Dhoom Host
2008 Mr & Mrs Television Judge
2008-2009 Indian Idol Judge season 4
2009-2012 India’s Got Talent Judge season 1-3
2012 Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz Judge
2014 Mission Sapne Narrator
2014–2015 Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye Shobha Sachdev
2013–2016 India’s Best Dramebaaz Judge

Awards and nominations Received By Sonali Bendre

1995 — Screen Awards Discovery of the Year Won
1995 Aag Filmfare Awards Lux New Face of the Year Won
1995 Aag Screen Awards Most Promising Newcomer – Female Won
1995 Naaraaz Filmfare Awards Sensational Debut Won
1998 Zakhm Planet Bollywood People’s Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2000 Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai Planet Bollywood People’s Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2000 Sarfarosh International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Actress Nominated
2001 Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai Screen Awards Best Supporting Actress Won
2001 Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated