Sonali Bendre is an Indian actress, model, television host, judge, and podcaster, predominantly known for her work in Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. She rose to prominence in the 1990s and early 2000s, starring in hit movies like Diljale, Sarfarosh, and Hum Saath Saath Hain. She began her career as a model and made her acting debut in the film Aag (1994), which earned her the Filmfare Award for New Face of the Year.
Personal Information
| Full name | Sonali Bendre |
| Date of birth | January 1, 1975 (age 50) |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai |
| Occupations | Actress, Model |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Parents | Jit Bendre (father) Roopse Bendre (mother) |
| Siblings | Rupa Ranadive (elder sister) Gandhali Paranjape (younger sister) |
| Spouse | Goldie Behl (m. 2002) |
| Children | Ranveer Behl (son) |
Early Life and Education
Sonali Bendre was born on January 1, 1975, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, and hails from a middle-class Hindu family. Her father, Jit Bendre, worked as a civil servant, and her mother, Roopse Bendre, is a homemaker. She has two sisters: her elder sister, Rupa Ranadive, who supported Sonali during her cancer treatment in the United States, and her younger sister, Gandhali Paranjape, who is married to former Indian cricketer Jatin Paranjape.
She attended Kendriya Vidyalaya in Malleswaram, Bangalore, followed by Holy Cross Convent High School in Thane, Mumbai, and Welham Girls' School in Dehradun. She later pursued her graduation at Ramnarain Ruia College in Mumbai.
Her journey into the entertainment industry began unexpectedly, when her friends encouraged her to explore modeling opportunities during her college years. This eventually led her to participate in the Star Dust Talent Search, which marked the beginning of her illustrious career.
Career
Sonali Bendre made her acting debut in the Bollywood film Aag (1994) at the age of 19, playing the role of a college student, Parul, opposite Govinda. The film earned her the Filmfare Award for New Face of the Year and the Screen Award for Best Female Debut. That same year, she also appeared in Naaraaz (1994), for which she earned the Filmfare Sensational Debut Award.
Personal Life
Sonali Bendre first met filmmaker Goldie Behl, the son of director Ramesh Behl, on the sets of her film Naaraaz. They tied the knot on November 12, 2002, in Mumbai. The couple has a son named Ranveer Behl, born in 2005. Before her marriage, there were rumors linking her to personalities like Raj Thackeray and Suniel Shetty, though these were never confirmed.
In 2018, Sonali was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and underwent treatment at a hospital in New York City. Despite being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, the actress became cancer-free in 2021.
She co-owns Pune Jaguars, a team in The Tennis Premier League. She has ramp walked for Made in India and Pidilite - CPAA charity events, and has been featured on the covers of various magazines, including Vogue.
On March 28, 2025, she launched The Happy Pawdcast, focusing on pet parenting and animal welfare—reflecting her love for animals and commitment to related causes.
Public Image
Sonali Bendre is widely regarded as a graceful and talented actress, celebrated for her contributions to Indian cinema, particularly in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films. Her performances in iconic movies like Sarfarosh and Hum Saath Saath Hain have left a lasting impression on audiences.
In addition to her acting career, Bendre is a celebrity endorser for various brands and products, including Nirma soap. She has also endorsed a fairness cream, the clothing brand Radha (alongside Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), and Oriflame India.
Bendre was ranked 36th in FHM India's list of the 100 Sexiest Women. In 2015, she authored a book titled The Modern Gurukul: My Experiments with Parenting, which discusses her achievements and challenges as a first-time mother.
Bendre appeared on Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list in 2016, ranking 99th, with an estimated annual income of ₹65 million (US$760,000).
Controversy
In 1998, Bendre was charged with poaching two blackbucks on the outskirts of Kankani village in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain, along with co-stars Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, and Neelam Kothari. A lower court charged her and the others under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). She filed a revision petition before a sessions court, which discharged her from Section 51 (causing harm to wildlife) of the Wildlife Act, and Sections 147 (punishment for rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly of persons) of the IPC.
The Rajasthan State Government then filed a revision petition before the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur, which reinstated Section 149 against her, previously dropped. In December 2012, the Jodhpur court summoned her along with the other accused for commencement of the trial with the revised charges on February 4, 2013. Although Bendre was acquitted in the blackbuck poaching case on April 5, 2018, the Rajasthan High Court issued a notice challenging her acquittal on March 11, 2019.
In 2001, Bendre was arrested by Mumbai Police for wearing a thigh-length lemon-yellow kurta with Om and Om Namah Shivay printed on it.
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