Lavani performance by Smt. Surekha Punekar

Lavani (Marathi: लावणी) is a genre of music popular in Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.^[1] Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance, which particularly performed to the beats of Dholak, a percussion instrument. Lavani is noted for its powerful rhythm and erotic sentiment. Lavani has contributed substantially to the development of Marathi folk theatre.^[2] In Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, it is performed by the female performers wearing nine-yard long saris. The songs are sung in a quick tempo.

Etymology[link]

According to a tradition, the word Lavani is derived from the word lavanya which means beauty. According to another tradition, it is derived from Marathi lavane.^[1]

History and genres[link]

Traditionally, this genre of folk dance deals with different and varied subject matters such as society, religion, politics and romance. The songs in 'Lavani' are mostly erotic in sentiment and the dialogues tend to be pungent in socio-political satire.^[3] Originally, it was used as a form of entertainment and morale booster to the tired soldiers. Lavani Songs, which are sung along with dance, are usually naughty and erotic in nature. It is believed their origin is in the Prakrit Gathas collected by Hala.^[4] The Nirguni Lavani (philosophical) and the Shringari Lavani (sensual) are the two types. The devotional music of the Nirguni cult is popular all over Malwa.

"The main subject matter of the Lavani is the love between man and woman in various forms. Married wife's menstruation, sexual union between husband and Wife, their love, soldier's amorous exploits, the wife's bidding farewell to the husband who is going to join the war, pangs of separation, adulterous love - the intensity of adulterous passion, childbirth: these are all the different themes of the Lavani. The Lavani poet out-steps the limits of social decency and control when it comes to the depiction of sexual passion." K. Ayyappapanicker, Sahitya Akademi^[5]

Although beginnings of Lavani can be traced back to 1560s, it came into prominence during the later days of the Peshwa rule. Several celebrated Marathi Shahir poet-singers, which include Ram Joshi (1762–1812), Anant Fandi (1744-1819), Honaji Bala (1754-1844), Prabhakar (1769-1843) and Lok Shahir Annabhau Sathe (1 August 1920 - 18 July 1969) contributed significantly for the development of this genre of music. Honaji Bala introduced tabla in place of the traditional dholki. He also developed the baithakichi Lavani, a sub-genre, which is presented by the singer in the seated position.

Satyabhamabai Pandharpurkar and Yamunabai Waikar are the popular present day exponents of Lavani.

Shringar Lavani is mostly sung and danced on the stage by a female and written by male. Lavani can also be termed as a romantic song sung by lady who is waiting for her lover to accept her, who longs for his love. Many Lavani dancers are from some castes of Maharashtra like Mahar Kolhati, Kumbhar, and Matang.

Marathi films played an important role in making Lavani genre accessible to masses. Movies such as Pinjara and Natarang not only attempted to blend traditional music with social messages but also helped portray Lavani world in positive light.

In Tamil Nadu, at the end of the Lavani performance, a replica of Manmatha's mount is burnt.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Lavani pictures
• Listen Lavani
• Lavani video from Marathi movies

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Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit in 2011
Born	(1967-05-15) 15 May 1967 (age 45) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1984–2002 2007–present
Spouse	Dr Shriram Madhav Nene (1999–present)
Website
www.madhuridixit-nene.com

Madhuri Dixit (born on 15 May 1967)^[1] is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Hindi films. Often cited by the media as one of the best actresses in Bollywood,^[2][3] Dixit made her film debut in Abodh (1984) and received wider public recognition with Tezaab (1988). She went on to establish herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses, acknowledged for several of her performances, her beauty, and her accomplished dancing.^[4]

Some of her proceeding films include such box-office hits as Dil (1990), Saajan (1991), Beta (1992), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) and Raja (1995). After a relatively low phase, she reinvented herself with the romance Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and subsequently received critical acclaim for her work in films like Mrityudand (1997), Pukar (2000), Lajja (2001) and Devdas (2002). In 2002, she retired from films in order to raise her children and made a comeback with the musical Aaja Nachle in 2007.

Dixit has won five Filmfare Awards, four for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress. She holds the record for the highest number of Best Actress nominations (13) at Filmfare. In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India.^[5]

She is married to Dr Shriram Madhav Nene, with whom she has two children. The couple resided in the United States before moving to India in 2011.

Early life[link]

Madhuri Dixit is a native of Mumbai, India. She was born Madhuri Shankar Dixit to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, of a Marathi Brahmin family. Dixit attended Divine Child High School and Mumbai University and studied to be a microbiologist.^[6] She is a trained Kathak dancer^[7] and a great admirer of it.^[8]

Film career[link]

1980s[link]

Madhuri Dixit made her acting debut in Rajshri Productions' movie Abodh in 1984. The film failed but minor and supporting roles continued to follow.

In 1988, Dixit attained stardom after she landed the lead female role of Mohini in N. Chandra's blockbuster Tezaab opposite Anil Kapoor. The film went on to become that year's highest grossing movie.^[9] Dixit received her first nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

In 1989, Dixit continued her success by starring in a number of successful hit movies. Her first release was Subhash Ghai's movie Ram Lakhan, in which she was paired once again with Anil Kapoor. The film became a super-hit movie and went on to become the second highest grossing film of the year.^[10] Dixit's next release Prem Pratigyaa, in which she starred opposite Mithun Chakraborty, earned her second nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Dixit's next big performance came in the multi-starrer Tridev, in which she was paired with Sunny Deol. The movie became the year's third highest grossing film. Dixit continued her success with her third pairing with Anil Kapoor in Parinda.

1990s[link]

In 1990, Dixit starred in Indra Kumar's romantic-drama Dil opposite Aamir Khan. She played the role of a rich and arrogant girl who falls in love with a poorer boy and later leaves her house to marry him. The film became the biggest box-office hit of the year in India^[11] and Dixit's performance earned her the first Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career.

After the success of Dil, Dixit became one of the top actresses of Bollywood. In 1991, she starred in Lawrence D'Souza's super-hit movie Saajan opposite Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. The movie became the year's highest-grossing movie. Dixit's performance earned her the fourth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[12]

In 1992, Dixit featured in Indra Kumar's blockbuster Beta opposite Anil Kapoor.^[13] Dixit's performance of Saraswati, a woman married to an illiterate, well-meaning man who exposes her scheming mother-in-law, won her a second Filmfare Best Actress Award. Following the film's success, Dixit became famously known as the "Dhak Dhak Girl" for her performance in the famous song "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga".

In 1993, Dixit starred in Subhash Ghai's super-hit Khalnayak opposite Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff. Her portrayal of the police officer Ganga earned her a sixth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Khalnayak became the year's second highest grossing film.^[14]

In 1994, Dixit starred in Rahul Rawail's Anjaam, being paired with Shahrukh Khan for the first time. Dixit's performance of a revenge-seeking wife and mother earned her a seventh nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Dixit was praised for her performance, though the film was a below average performer at the box office. Her next starring role was in Sooraj R. Barjatya's Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! opposite Salman Khan.The film became one of the biggest hits in the history of Hindi cinema. The film was a commercial success and made 135 crore in worldwide breaking the record of Sholay. It became the highest grossing Bollywood film in Hindi cinema history after its theatrical run and held the record for 7 years till the release of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Dixit's role of a modern yet family-oriented young girl fetched her the third Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career. In the Millenium Edition of the "Guinness Book of World Records" Hum Aapke Hain Kaun became the Bollywood's highest grossing film.^[15]

In 1995, Dixit starred in Indra Kumar's Raja opposite Sanjay Kapoor. The film became the fourth highest grosser of the year and she earned her ninth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[16] Her next release David Dhawan's Yaraana opposite Rishi Kapoor, in which she plays a dancer on the run from her abusive lover, earned her tenth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

After Raja, Dixit's career went into a slump during 1996 and much of 1997. However, she bounced back commercially with Yash Chopra's musical-romance Dil To Pagal Hai in 1997 alongside Shahrukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor. Her portrayal of a young woman faced with a moral dilemma fetched her a fourth Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[17] The movie became the second highest grosser of the year.^[18] In that same year, Dixit starred in Prakash Jha's critically acclaimed Mrityudand.

2000s[link]

In 2002, she starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's melodrama Devdas. The film, which co-starred Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai saw Dixit portray the role of Chandramukhi, a prostitute in love with Khan. The film was a box-office success and her performance earned her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. The film was featured at the Cannes Film Festival. The following year a film named after her, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, was released^[19] in which a woman (played by Antara Mali) aspires to become the new Madhuri Dixit by trying her luck in Bollywood.^[20][21]

On 7 December 2006, Dixit returned to Mumbai with her husband and sons to start filming for Aaja Nachle (2007).^[22] The film released in November 2007 and, despite the critics panning it, Dixit's performance was highly appreciated,^[23][24][25] with the New York Times commenting about her that "she's still got it".^[26][27]

On Women's International Day in 2007, Dixit topped Rediff's list of the Best Bollywood Actresses Ever.^[2] In May 2008, she was given a tribute by Indian Film Festival at Los Angeles.^[28] In March 2010, The Economic Times named Madhuri Dixit in the list of the "33 women who made India proud".^[3] She also received a Filmfare Special Award in honor of her 25 years in the Bollywood industry. In 2011, Rediff.com listed her in top 10 "Readers Choice: The Greatest Actresses of all time".^[29]

Dance[link]

Madhuri Dixit dancing on stage for the Unforgettable Tour in 2008

Dixit is not only known for her acting skills,^{[2][20][21][30][30][31]} but for her dancing skills as well.^[32] Often referred to as the "Dhak Dhak Girl", she is famous for her dance in the song "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" from the film Beta. She is also known for her dance sequences accompanying Bollywood songs such as "Ek Do Teen" (from Tezaab), "Humko Aaj Kal Hai" (from Sailaab), "Bada Dukh Deenha" (from Ram Lakhan), "Chane Ke Khet Mein" (from Anjaam), "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" (from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!), "Choli Ke Peechhe" (from Khalnayak), "Akhiyan Milaun" (from Raja), "Mera Piya Ghar Aaya" (from Yaraana), "Kay Sera Sera" (from Pukar), and "Maar Daala" (from Devdas).

Pandit Birju Maharaj, a Kathak dancer, who choreographed Dixit in the film Devdas calls her as "the best Bollywood dancer due to her versatility." ^[33]

Television appearances[link]

Dixit on the sets of Nach Baliye

In 2001 on the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati's first season, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, she won 50,00,000 that she donated for people affected in natural calamities. She also made an appearance in Season 4's Grand Finale that aired in 2010.

In 2002, Madhuri Dixit hosted a TV show Kahina Kahi Koi Hai which was a match-making show that aired on Sony Entertainment.^[34] She also made appearances on Koffee with Karan in Season 2 & Season 3 that aired in 2007 & 2011. Her Season 2 appearance was a solo appearance and in Season 3 she shared the chat show with Sonakshi Sinha.

Dixit has been guest on Nach Baliye Season 1 and 3, a celebrity-couple dancing competition in 2005 (aired on Star One) & 2007 (aired on Star Plus).

In 2011, she appeared as a judge on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 along with other co-judges Remo D'souza and Malaika Arora Khan.^[35]

Social work[link]

In 2009 Madhuri Dixit performed for NDTV Toyota Greenathon — India's first-ever nationwide campaign for save the environment and creating awareness about environmental issues. NDTV organised India's first 24-hour live telethon — a fund-raising event that brings in people to donate money to support TERI's initiative — Lighting a Billion Lives which aims at providing solar power to villages without electricity. Dixit became a part of this great social cause, and she performed her hit numbers on the live show.^[36][37]

On 3 February 2011 Dixit spent an evening with 75 orphanage kids of farmers at an ashram in Trimbakeshwar and participated in the birthday of two children: Hrishikesh and Rani. "We artists are ready to help such children. People from the higher society should come forward and stand firmly behind them," she said on the occasion.^[38]

Madhuri Dixit is a brand ambassador and a patron for Emeralds for Elephants — a charity project for the conservation of Asian Elephants and other endangered species. This project has been designed to create awareness and raise vital funds for the protection of the critically endangered Asian Elephant. A collaborative project between the World Land Trust (a UK based nonprofit environmental organisation) and the Wildlife Trust of India that is creating protected wildlife corridors connecting National Parks and protected areas to others. Speaking about the issue she said: "Elephants are one of my favourite animals and I love them. So what we need to do today is to see how we can preserve our animals. I feel very strongly about this."^[39]

Personal life[link]

Madhuri Dixit with Shriram Madhav Nene at the Filmfare 2011 Nominations Bash

On 17 October 1999, Madhuri Dixit married Shriram Madhav Nene, a UCLA-trained cardiovascular surgeon who practiced in Denver.^[40][41][42] Nene is also from a Marathi Brahmin family.^[43] They have two sons, Arin (born in March 2003) and Raayan (born in March 2005). After marriage, Dixit had relocated to Denver, US for almost a decade. In October 2011, Dixit again shifted her base back to Mumbai, India, along with her family.^[44]

Madhuri Dixit has been the muse for the famous Indian painter M.F. Husain. He was so fascinated by Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! that he watched the film 67 times, and in 2007 he booked an entire theatre to see her comeback movie Aaja Nachle.^[45] He made a series of paintings of her, and in 2000 made a film named Gaja Gamini starring her, which was intended as a tribute to Dixit herself.^[46]

Awards and nominations[link]

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Madhuri Dixit

• Madhuri Dixit at the Internet Movie Database
• Official website
• Madhuri Dixit on Twitter

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (October 2010)

Shweta Tiwari
Shweta Tiwari at the 100 episode celebration party of Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi, 2012
Born	(1980-10-04) 4 October 1980 (age 31) Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
Residence	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Model, Actress, Television presenter, Producer
Years active	1999–Present
Spouse	Raja Chaudhary (1998-2007)
Children	Palak
Parents	Ashok Tiwari Nirmala Tiwari
Relatives	Nidhaan (Younger brother)
Website
www.shwetatiwari.india-forums.com

Shweta Tiwari (Hindi: श्वेता तिवारी) (born 4 October 1980 in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India in a Saryupareen Brahmins family) is an Indian film and television actress. She gained popularity for her role of Prerna in Balaji Telefilms's television serial Kasautii Zindagii Kay that used to be aired on an Indian television channel STAR Plus. She is the winner of the fourth season of the reality television show Bigg Boss.^[1]

Career[link]

While playing Bahu V on stage, Shweta was noticed by a well-known director^[who?] and started her acting career in 1999 with Kaleerein.^[2] She shot to fame for her role of Prerna in the television serial Kasautii Zindagii Kay. She has done several advertisements, dance shows, plays and cameos in other television serials. Some of her other popular television serials include Aane Wala Pal, Karam, Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeeqat, Rishtey, Daddy Samjha Karo, Dost, Yatra, Naaginn and Ajeeb.^[3]

She is also active in Bollywood and Bhojpuri cinema and has played supporting roles in Madhoshi (2004), Abrakadabra and Benny And Babloo (2010). She appeared in the Bhojpuri film Hamar Sayian Hindustani along with her ex-husband Raja Chaudhary.

On 28 February 2008, her 8 years long running serial Kasautii Zindagii Kay ended. After that she was seen as one of the judges on the Star Plus reality dance show Aajaa Mahi Vay.^[4] She also took part in the reality show Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao, where she faced controversy for shower in the jungle. She is also a producer and is producing television serials and films.^[5]

In 2010, she was seen as a judge in the Bhojpuri reality dance show named Dance Sangram.

On 8 January 2011, Shweta won the reality show, Bigg Boss 4 defeating Ashmit Patel, The Great Khali and Dolly Bindra in the finals. She was the first female contestant to win the show. She won 1 crore as prize money.^[6]

In 2011, she did an item song and a cameo role in the film Bin Bulaye Baraati and an item song in the movie "Miley na Miley Hum". Her current projects include her daily serial Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi on Sony TV, the Indo-Pak movie named Sultanat, Gopal My Bro (in which she is coming with Karanvir Bohra) and Married to America.

Personal life[link]

Shweta Tiwari is the daughter of Nirmala and Ashok Tiwari. She was brought up in Mumbai and completed her education from the St. Isabel Girls School in Mumbai. She studied for her bachelor's degree at Burhani College, Mazgaon, Mumbai. She has a younger brother, Nidhaan.^[3]

In 1999, at the age of 19, Shweta married actor Raja Chaudhary. They separated seven years later.^[7] The couple have a daughter named Palak.

Filmography[link]

Theatre(Plays)[link]

1. Khoobsoorat
2. Gaz Foot Inch"
3. Kiraayedar
4. Shararat

TV shows[link]

Shweta Tiwari performing at the launch of Lotus Refineries

1. Kaleerein as Komal
2. Aane Wala Pal as Anu
3. Karam as Kajol
4. Kaahin Kissii Roz as Anita
5. Rishtey
6. Daddy Samjha Karo
7. Dost
8. Yatra Show Host
9. Kasautii Zindagii Kay as Prerna Rishabh Bajaj / Anurag Basu
10. Khichdi Herself in a guest appearance
11. Nach Baliye 2 (with ex-husband Raja Choudhary)
12. Jjhoom India Herself as a contestant
13. Sanjog Se Bani Sangini special dance performance
14. Dhamaal Express Herself as a contestant
15. Yeh Hai Jalwa Herself as a Participant ^[8] along with Ronit Roy
16. Aajaa Mahi Vay co-judge with Ronit Roy and Saroj Khan
17. Ajeeb as Ms Sapna Basu ^[9]
18. Jalwa 4 2 ka 1 Herself as a Participant^[10]
19. Jaane Kya Baat Hui as Aradhana Sareen ^[11][12][13]
20. Comedy Circus - Chinchpokli To China
21. Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 as a Show Host
22. Dance Sangram As a Judge
23. Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo – Herself as special guest appearance with Sudesh Lehri and also as ACP Patil
24. Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao – Herself as a Contestant
25. Bigg Boss Season 4 – Herself as a Participant (Winner of the Show)
26. Rangoli – Hindi Movie music show in National Television – As Host
27. Comedy Circus 3 Ka Tadka- Comedy show aired on Sony TV – As Contestant
28. Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli – Item number on the song "Darling"
29. Jubilee Comedy Circus-Comedy show aired on Sony TV – As Contestant for 2 weeks
30. Comedy Circus Ke Taansen- Comedy show aired on Sony TV – Herself As Contestant alongwith Rajeev Thakur
31. Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur- As Contestant along with Kapil Sharma - (Winner of the Show)
32. Adaalat- 1 Episode with Ronit Roy aired on Sony TV
33. Parvarrish - Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi - New Daily Soap on Sony TV

T.V. Commercials[link]

1. Pears
2. Tanishq
3. Revlon Hair Colour
4. Johnson's Baby Milk Lotion
5. Dabur Hair Oil
6. Dabur lal toothpaste
7. Reboonn Hair Shampoo Commercial
8. Kalazone
9. PP Jewellers
10. Lijjat Papad
11. Vardhaman Knitting Yarns
12. Nirma Washing Powder
13. Cellone
14. Amul Milk
15. V Mart
16. "Surf Excel
17. "Rakesh Masala

Teleshopping Program[link]

1. Deemark Herbal Hair's oil

Films[link]

• Madhoshi (2004) (Hindi film) as Tabbasum
• Aabra Ka Dabra (Hindi film)
• Dahek: A Restless Mind (2007) (Hindi film) as Shalini
• Hamar Sayian Hindustani (2008) (Bhojpuri film)
• Kab Aibu Anganwa Hamar (2008) (Bhojpuri film)
• Ae Bhouji Ke Sister (2009) (Bhojpuri film)
• Apni Boli Apna Des As Satkar (Punjabi film)^[14]
• Benny And Babloo (2010) (Hindi film) as Sheena
• Trinetra (Nepali Film) as Madhu
• Saltanat (Pakistani Film)
• Bin Bulaye Baraati (2011) (Hindi film)
• Gopala My Bro as Krishna's mother (under production)
• Married to America (under production)
• One and Only One (Item Song)
• Yedyanchi Jatra (Marathi Movie, Item Song, by Saroj Khan)
• Miley Naa Miley Hum (Item Song)
• Married 2 America (2012) as Pratap Singh's Wife

Other Projects[link]

1. A Daler Mehndi music video called Paisa Paisa
2. Music video on song Mehndi nu by Balkar Sidhu
3. Radio show 'Seher' for 92.71 Big FM (now off air)
4. Dance performance with Ronit Roy on Diwali Dhoom on Zee TV 2008- Song Piya re
5. YMGGK Item song number to introduce new character – song from 7 Khoon Maaf.
6. Sanjog Se Bani Sangini – Dance Performance on Song Der Na Ho Jaye from Heena
7. Shaadi Ki Home Delivery – Play
8. Aaine ke Sau Tukde – Play (Played 13 Characters in this play)
9. Holi celebrations on Colors Channel
10. Holi Celebrations on Sony TV
11. Star Pariwar Awards 2010 – (As host)
12. Soumen Gupta

Awards[link]

• Star Parivaar Awards 2003 – Favorite Jodi with Cezanne Khan
• Indian Television Academy Awards 2003 – Best Actress
• Star Parivaar Awards 2004 – Favorite Maa
• Star Parivaar Awards 2004 – Favorite Bahu
• Star Parivaar Awards 2005 – Favorite Maa
• Star Parivaar Awards 2006 – Favorite Maa
• Star Parivaar Awards 2007 – Favorite Maa
• Star Parivaar Awards 2008 -(She was honoured for her immense service for Star Plus & the show).^[15]
• Zee Gold Awards 2011- Most Fit Actor on Television

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shweta Tiwari's Official Blog
• Shweta Tiwari at the Internet Movie Database

Sonali Kulkarni
Sonali's portrait that appears on the cover of her book So Kool
Born	(1974-11-03) 3 November 1974 (age 37) Pune, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Film actress
Years active	1990–present
Spouse	Chandrakant Kulkarni (divorced) Nachiket Pantvaidya (m.2010-present; 1 child)
Children	1 daughter (b. 18 Oct 2011)
Website
http://www.sonalikulkarni.org

Sonali Kulkarni (born 3 November 1974) is an Indian actress. She was born in Pune. She has worked in Marathi and Hindi films. She is known for her roles in Dil Chahta Hai, Singham, Taxi No 9211, and Gair.

Career[link]

Sonali Kulkarni first made her appearance on the screen in a Kannada film titled Cheluvi directed by Girish Karnad. She thereafter has appeared in many films, which includes an Italian film titled Fuoco Di Su Me for which she won an award in the 2006 Milan International Film Festival.

She has received a Special Jury Award (non-feature) in the 49th National Film Awards (2002) for her role in a short film in Marathi Chaitra.^[1]

Apart from acting, she was an editor with Viva, a supplement of Marathi daily newspaper Loksatta from June 2005 till May 2007. She used to pen a weekly column called "So Kool". The columns are published in the book So Kool by Rajahansa Prakashan.^[2] Actor Nana Patekar on the release of this book said, "Whenever I read her articles, I feel she is talking to me. There is so much of simplicity in her writing."

Kulkarni showed her dancing skills in the second season of the popular celebrity-dance competition show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Sony TV.

She has also worked with Doordarshan channel and did some films like 'Gulabari' in 1994 in Hindi which telecast in 1995 and 'Kata Rute Kunala' in 1996 in Marathi for which she has also got RAPA Award-Best television performance of the year.

She was also seen in one story (Kya Yahi Pyaar Hai-Directed by Tanuja Chaturvedi) of Star Bestsellers TV Series telecast in 1999-2000 on Star Plus.

Personal life[link]

Sonali was born in a Maharashtrian Brahmin family at Pune, Maharashtra. Her father is an engineer and she has two brothers: Sandeep and Sandesh. She completed her schooling from Abhinava Vidyalaya and did her graduation from Ferguson College, where she majored in Political Science and got a scholarship in Marathi literature. For her interest in acting she attended a workshop by Satyadev Dubey after which she and Sandesh formed a theater group called Samanvay. Sandesh is now a film director.

Sonali with her husband Nachiket Pantvaidya at a Star Parivaar Awards event

Sonali's first brief marriage with Chandrakant Kulkarni, film director and writer, ended in a divorce. Since May 24, 2010 she is married to Nachiket Pantvaidya.^[3][4] Pantvaidya is MD of Fox TV Studios and this is also his second marriage. Together they have one daughter born on October 18, 2011.^[5]

Awards[link]

Won[link]

• 1996: RAPA Awards, "Best television performance of the year", "Kata Rute Kunala (Marathi)"
• 1996: Filmfare Awards(Marathi), "Best Actress", Doghi
• 2002: National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Non-Feature Film), Chaitra
• 2004: Star Screen Awards(Marathi), "Best Actress", Devrai
• 2005: Milan International Film Festival, "Best Actress", Fuoco Di Su Me (Fire At My Heart)^[6]