Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, speaking at the ‘Amazon ElevateHER 2025’ event in Bengaluru for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, shared that acting in a Kannada movie didn’t go well for her. She expressed her reluctance to revisit that experience, mentioning her work in Telugu and one Kannada film: “After that, I thought, ‘I don’t want to do this ever again.’ Sorry about that, but it was not a good experience for me.”
Her statement may provoke controversy. She starred in the 2000 Kannada movie ‘Preethse’, along with leading Kannada actors Upendra and Dr. Shivarajkumar, a remake of the Bollywood hit ‘Darr’. Reflecting on her career, Sonali recalled, “A key moment was landing my first film unexpectedly, transitioning into acting. Despite my father’s wish for me to excel academically and pursue an official career, I ventured into acting. I have resided in various parts of India, like Bengaluru, Nepal, and Chennai.”
“I promised my father two to three years due to an age limit to pursue acting. Once I started, there was no turning back. The decision to commit to the unknown transformed my life,” she reflected. “Entering a new world unprepared and inexperienced, ignorance felt like bliss. Reflecting on those challenging times, I marvel at my past resilience. Amid struggles, I seek to reconnect with the fearless younger me,” Sonali shared.
The actress reflected on how both failed movies and successful ones served as valuable learning experiences, guiding her towards better decisions and distancing herself from negative influences. Working on the Marathi film ‘Anahat’ marked a pivotal moment, shifting her focus from commercial blockbusters to more enriching projects. The significant change in the industry’s work environment, from mostly male-dominated sets to a more inclusive and empowering atmosphere, has been a source of joy for her. Furthermore, the film ‘Anahat’ played a crucial role in her personal growth, shaping her career in a positive direction and leading her to appreciate the presence of numerous women, including her all-female team, in today’s work environment.
“When I became pregnant, I entered theatre without any formal training. Learning on the job, I discovered that actors with a theatre background were the most pleasant to collaborate with. Performing ‘Aap Ki Sonia’ with Farooq Sheikh was a valuable experience. His loss made me realize I couldn’t recreate it without him. Working with him was a privilege and taught me a lot. This journey also led me to understand that theatre wasn’t my calling,” she reflected.
Sources News From Various Digital Platforms, Websites, Journalists, And Agencies.
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