Sonali Bendre is an Indian actress, model, and writer. She was born on 1 January 1975 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Her sun sign is Capricorn. She attended Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bangalore, Holy Cross Convent High School, Thane, and Welham Girls School, Dehradun. She earned her graduate degree from Ramnarain Ruia College.

Her father, Jit Bendre used to work in CPWD. Her mother, Roopsi Bendre is a homemaker. She has two sisters, Rupa Randive and Gandhali Bendre. 

She is married to Goldie Behl. They are parents to a son, Ranveer Behl.

Sonali Bendre’s favourites

Her hobbies include cooking, writing, travelling, and collecting antique items. 

She likes to eat steamed modak, caramelized almonds, prawn curry, keema pav, and French dishes. 

Her favourite actresses are Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, and Kareena Kapoor. 

Her favourite films are, Diljale, Ashiqui 2, Ye Jawani Hai Deewani, Paan Singh Tomar, Austin Powers, and As Good As It Gets. 

Her favourite books are ‘Draupadi’ by Pratibha Ray, ‘Paradise’ by Toni Morrison, and ‘The Bluest Eye’ by Toni Morrison. 

Her favourite writers are, Isabel Allende, Devdutt Pattanaik, Anand Neelakantan, Ravi Subramanyam, Toni Morrison, Patrick Rothfuss, Isaac Asimov, and Elif Shafak. 

Her favourite travelling destination is Europe. 

Interesting facts about Sonali Bendre

Growing up, Sonali Bendre never considered making a career in the entertainment industry. Her friends in college encouraged her to take up modelling assignments that came her way. 

Sonali Bendre made her acting debut with the film ‘Aag’ in the year 1994. 

Sonali Bendre’s marriage

Sonali met Goldie Behl on the sets of her 1994 film ‘Naraaz.’ After dating each other for five years, the couple got married in the year 2002. 

She has worked in numerous hit Bollywood films and songs. 

In the year 2001, she worked as a host of the television show ‘Kya Masti Kya Dhoom.’

In the year 2014, she was the highest paid TV actress as she charged Rs 4 lakh for each filming day for the show ‘Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh.’

Sonali Bendre’s debut book

In 2015, Sonali Bendre published her first book ‘The Modern Gurukul: My Experiments with Parenting.’

She launched a digital book club called ‘Sonali’s Book Club’ in the year 2017 to foster a healthy reading habit. 

Sonali Bendre’s cancer journey

In 2018, she was diagnosed with high-grade metastatic cancer. She received her treatment from New York and Mumbai hospitals. 

She bravely sported a bald look for months and became an inspiration for thousands of women who feel insecure about their appearance. 

Sonali announced her remission in the year 2019. 

Awards

In the year 1995, she received the Filmfare Award and Star Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer Award for the film ‘Aag.’

In 2001, she won the Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film ‘Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai.’

In 2012, she received the Indian Telly Award for Best Judge Panel in a TV Show. 

In 2018, she was honoured with the Women Achievers Award and Pride of Maharashtra Award. 

Sonali Bendre’s filmography

Some of Sonali Bendre’s popular films are, Major Saab (1998), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai (2000), Qahar (1997), Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Sarfarosh (1999), Dil Hi Dil Mein (1999), Zakhm (1998), Once Upon a Time In Mumbai (2013), Chori Chori (2003), and Lajja (2001).

Sonali Bendre has served as a judge in reality TV shows like, India’s Best Dramabaaz, Dance India Dance, India’s Best Dancer, and India’s Got Talent.