Jealousy in cinema is usually a whispered secret, not a headline. Sonali Kulkarni, who carved a niche in ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and ‘Mission Kashmir’, slipped into an NDTV interview and admitted her envy when Tabu snagged the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1997.
Tabu’s triumph came from the gritty drama Maachis, a role that earned her the coveted trophy, while Kulkarni herself bagged a Special Jury Award in 2002 for the Marathi short Chaitra. She still says she wanted the National Award as a stepping stone, yet the accolade remains an unclosed door.
The turning point? A chance meeting in Film City during the shooting of Chandni Bar. Kulkarni describes the staircase, the Lucknow kurta, and how Tabu—looking like a swan—paused to chat, breaking the ice between two industry giants. “Thank you so much,” the veteran actress replied, turning a fleeting encounter into a memorable moment.
It’s not the first star‑to‑star moment for Kulkarni. On a Diwali evening, she complimented Aishwarya Rai’s dress, and the renowned actress replied, “You liked it? I’m so happy because I designed it.” These candid exchanges remind us that even Hollywood‑style fixations are human.
Now, Kulkarni’s eyes turn to the silver screen in a new Telugu venture, The Paradise, with Nani. Set for a September 24 theatrical release, the film promises a chilling narrative that should keep the audience on edge.
With past roles spanning languages and genres, and a growing fan base that stretches from Mumbai to Hyderabad, Kulkarni’s journey from jealous admirer to collaborator signals a fresh chapter. Fans can expect a performance that balances nostalgia with a new, daring edge.