Double role

As Marathi cinema gets bolder, goes international and attracts critics' appreciation, it has also started to create a minefield of opportunity for the young faces to show their talents on the silver screen.

Marathi actor Sonali Kulkarni, who is often confused with the popular Bollywood actor of the same name says she doesn8217;t mind changing her name

As Marathi cinema gets bolder, goes international and attracts critics8217; appreciation, it has also started to create a minefield of opportunity for the young faces to show their talents on the silver screen. One such new face, which is gradually getting popular on Marathi cinema screen, is that of Sonali Kulkarni. The promising actor has bagged best actress award in Zee Gaurav Ceremony for her commendable performance in her debut movie Bakula Namdev Ghotale. She also received the coveted Marathi Film Best Debutant 2008 Award for the same movie.

Sonali is also a trained Bharatnatyam dancer. In fact she is more passionate about dancing than acting but she says, 8220;I want to be known as an actor who can dance well, and not the other way around.8221;

But there is another identity that she is equally well known for. Rather an identity crisis one could say. She is often confused with the other prominent bollywood actress, Sonali Kulkarni well known for her roles in hindi movies like Dil Chahta Hai and Mission Kashmir. Says Sonali, 8221; I often face this problem of mistaken identity with the other Sonali Kulkarni. Not only do we share our names but we also come from the same city Pune,8221; she says, adding, 8220;If need be and if my director or producer feel so, then I might change my name to avoid controversy and confusion.8221;

But as of now she8217;s busy concentrating on her career. After a few commercials, she made her debut as an actor in the Marathi TV serial Ha Khel Sancheta Cha on ETV channel. Getting a chance to act with well-known actors like Nasseerudin Shah, Smita Gokhale and Vikram Gokhale, marked a breakthrough in her career . Sonali was then offered the role of Apsara in two songs sequences in the Marathi movie Gadvache Lagna, which is based on a well-known Marathi drama by the same name.

But it was Bakula Namdev Ghotale that gave her the fame she was looking for.Talking about the movie, she says it was shot within a short span of 23 days. 8220;As an amateur actor, the 23 days were the most traumatic experience because the character of Bakula had lot of variations in it, but the same experience gave me a chance to evolve as an actor,8221; says Sonali.

Born and brought up in Pune, Sonali lives with her parents from Marathi and Punjabi descent. 8220;Pune has everything a person wants to feel relaxed, have fun and to be at home,8221; says the Fergusson College student.

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Talking about her future projects, Sonali said that she is shooting for two Zee Talkies movies and added, 8220;My Bakula fans will be shocked to see me act in a different role and get-up for these two movies.8221; She has also signed for films from Ramesh Deo Productions and V Shantaram Productions. 8220;Though I have not got any offer from Bollywood as of now, I would love to do a south Indian movie. It will be a wholly different experience,8221; she says.