Sonali Bendre (Marathi:सोनाली बेंद्रे, born 1 January 1975) is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in Bollywood films mostly but has acted in a few Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films. She is married to Goldie Behl who is close friend of Abhishekh Bachchan. She is also one of the four judges of Indian Idol season 4.
Sonali studied in Bangalore and Mumbai in Kendriya Vidyalaya and Holy Cross High School Thane respectively.
Sonali Bendre started out as a model before being selected for the "Star Dust Talent Search". Her first role was in Aag (1994) opposite Govinda. Though she initially struggled to be a successful actress, she was eventually given critical acclaim for her performances in films like Bhai (1997), Sarfarosh (1999), Zakhm, Duplicate, Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United (1999), Dil Hi Dil Mein (2000), Tera Mera Saath Rahey and Anaahat (2003) among many others. she is also known for being one of the few actresses who acted opposite all top 4 khans (aamir, shahrukh, saif and salman.) she has also starred opposite some of the other biggest names in bollywood such as Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt and Anil Kapoor.
In 1995 she won the Filmfare Lux New Face Award. In 2001 she also won the Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai where she co-starred with Anil Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai. She was the only cast member who was nominated and won the award. She was appreciated for her comic performances in films like Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega
Next to her well-received performances, she was also recognized as a graceful dancer through films like Bombay, Lajja and Major Saab to name a few. She is frequently listed as one of the top most beautiful Bollywood actress.
On November 12, 2002 she married film producer/director Goldie Behl.
In 2003, she made a special appearance as Shah Rukh Khan's doctor in Kal Ho Naa Ho (produced by Karan Johar), which also starred Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta.
She also hosted the 50th Filmfare Awards with Saif Ali Khan and Farida Jalal on February 26, 2005. On August 9, 2005 she gave birth to a son, Ranvir, at Breach Candy Hospital.
Bendre is set to star in the theatre in a play called, Aap Ki Soniya. She also hosted a dance show on television named "kya masti kya dhoom....!"
