Spirited In The Arts: Sonali Kulkarni

Styling by Prache Khade, Location Courtesy: Escobar

Fleur De Monogram Bag Charm, Essential V Sautoir and Essential V Ring, all from Louis Vuitton. Green neoprene dress and dual-toned watch, both from Sonali’s personal collection.

“Above all, it’s absolutely essential to do justice to your passion,” she maintains. Versatile artiste Sonali Kulkarni is one of the most down-to-earth actors around and a force to be reckoned with on stage and on screen. “I’ve always chased a dream to have a beautiful family life, a great professional team that I trust and the ability to excel in my zone — which is writing and acting. I feel today that I’ve managed to accomplish it all.” The talented beauty has gone from making her foray into theatre with a group called Samanvay, to acting in big-ticket movies like Dil Chahta Hai, Bride & Prejudice, director Lamberto Lambertini’s Fire At My Heart and Singham, over and above the countless quality regional films and plays she has elevated with her artistry.

Currently the star of Saif Hyder Hasan’s play Gardish Mein Taare, Kulkarni has recently been focussing greatly on health and personal well-being, regularly practising meditation and engaging in cardio, weight training and spinning. “Post motherhood, I’ve made fitness a personal mission because it is the one wealth that lasts us a lifetime. In a way, I see it as me boosting myself.” Previously sticking to traditional Indian clothing, she is now often seen in stunning silhouettes and is more open to experimenting. Her ensemble for the shoot with us, the ease with which she paired it with Louis Vuitton accessories, and the way she flawlessly carried herself was enough to convince us about the fruitfulness of her lifestyle change.

Good-humoured and charming, Kulkarni chats to the crew while gliding around the set, perfectly emotive and poised for a shot one moment and excitedly listing her favourite new plays the next. “My competition is myself; I’m happy with how my career has progressed,” she admits. “I learn and sometimes even unlearn things with each new character that I embody.” I quickly realise that this is a woman who is not only extremely comfortable in her own skin, but one that is unthreatened by anything that may come her way and firm in her desire to, above all, be a good person. “I feel extremely humbled and proud when my four-year-old daughter tries to connect with everyone around her in the most beautifully loving way. She asks my driver how his health is, and it warms my heart. It makes me aware and appreciative of every little gesture made by people I meet every day or even just once. Simple emotional things will never cease to inspire me,” she smiles.

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