Picking her way to the top

Sonali Kulkarni, aplya Punyachi mulgi, was in town to shoot for an episode of Star Bestsellers. The Indian Express swooped down on her and got her talking.

A very friendly and enthusiastic person along with being a good actress, Sonali spoke of her past, her present and her future. Her childhood, education and her friends8230;

On your family and friends. I am the youngest in my family and have two older brothers. Though I was the only girl around, I was not pampered . I have had a happy childhood. I have studied in Pune at Abhinav Vidyalaya and then did my BA at Fergusson College. I have some close friends right from my school days. I guess everybody has a few good friends.

On how she got into acting and what she wants to do. Theatre veteran Satyadev Dubeyji helped me find my passion and I was hooked on to acting. Later, Girish Karnadji offered me a role in Cheluvi, a Kannada film. I don8217;t think I will be doing many TV serials. Acting in films is what I really want to do. I have accepted a Vidhu Vinod Chopra film. And there is another film called Yellama Macbeth which will be in English and Telugu in which I play the lead.

The family support.
I am very close to my family and they have always been very supportive of everything whether it was acting or whatever else. I share an excellent relationship with my parents and love them very much. They are a lovely couple.

Life in the film industry and her roles 8230;
I love everything about this profession. When we are shooting, the whole unit becomes like a big family. As for the roles, I do not always identify with who I am acting as but then it is not humanly possible to.

On success .
It feels nice to be recognised. One survives on money, but the personal satisfaction that one gets while working is what counts most.

What she believes in8230;
Human beings, sincerity, life, family and good friends.

Learning8230;
Will never stop. It enriches you.

Spare time is spent in 8230;
Reading Marathi literature mostly, writes poetry, listens to music and gardening whenever possible.

Motto in life8230;
Work hard and sincerely, that will bring you what you want. One should trust one self and work.

Ten years down the line ?
I don8217;t really know but I should be acting and there are a lot many things to do.