My first break

Though involved with theatre since her childhood, actress Sonali Kulkarni8217;s first major break came at the age of 16. At Pandit Satyadev Dubey8217;s workshop in Pune. quot;I am a classical dancer and had been involved with the stage for more than nine years. But this workshop changed my whole outlook toward theatre,quot; she says. And her entire career. While Sonali was busy discovering herself, director Girish Karnad suddenly discovered her. He was looking for a lead for his now-famous film Cheluvi when Dubey came up to him and said, quot;Okay Girish, I think I have the girl who might meet your expectations.quot; A few photo sessions and video tests later, Sonali was the chosen one.

After that, there was no looking back. Sonali next did a Tamil film May Madham and a Marathi film Mukta. With Sumitra Bhave8217;s Doghi and Amol Palekar8217;s Daayra also came the award. She received two State awards, a National award, a V Shantaram award and the best actress award at the France Festival forDaayra.

Now she is eagerly awaiting the release of Jabbar Patel8217;s Dr Ambedkar, where she plays Ambedkar8217;s wife, and Jahan Tum Le Chalo, a commercial Hindi film. quot;I don8217;t want to limit myself to art or parallel cinema or just commercial films. I would like to balance both,quot; says Sonali. And balance she does, as Sonali is actively involved with theatre as well. She is presently doing a Marathi play, Chahul, written by Prashant Dalvi and directed by husband Chandrakant Kulkarni.