Variety is the spice - Sonali Kulkarni

The versatile actress that she is, Sonali Kulkarni has played the roles of a heroine, a mother and many other characters with élan. She has made a mark not only in Hindi and Marathi cinema, but has also featured in Italian films. Now the pretty actress is on a mission to work on diverse subjects and push her limits. She talks about her ongoing projects.

Q: Tell us about your films "Kaaran" and "Sirf".
A: Guru Thakkar's "Kaaran" is quite an interesting movie. I'm portraying a character named Rupa who becomes a devdasi. The story revolves around an innocent girl, and a prostitute. My character in the film is quite a tender one, but she is not ready to surrender herself under any circumstance.

On the other hand, "Sirf" is a movie with many characters of various shades by Rajnesh Naiyar. I am depicting a successful career-oriented woman by the name Namita. Everyone at my workplace is quite happy with me, but yet I am unable to create a similar image at home. I receive many promotions but my husband, played by Ranveer Shouri, is not happy with them at all. The theme of the story is ego clashes between men and women. My coactors in "Sirf" are Manisha Koirala, Rituparna Sengupta, Nauhid Sayarsi, Kay Kay Menon and Parveen Dabas.

Q: What's your personal view about ego problems between men and women?
A: Well, one can find ego differences in every relationship but still there must be harmony in our lives. We have to keep this in mind, whether the matter is personal, professional, social or medical.

Q: What would you like to say about Ranveer Shouri?
A: I had a nice experience working with him. He is really lively by nature. All the while he made people laugh. He is also a versatile actor.

Q: How was your experience of working with other actors in "Sirf"?
A: I liked working with every actor in that film. Rituparna Sengupta is quite funny and easy-going. At the same time, she is an excellent actress, too. But I would like to allow the most credit to producer-director Rajnesh Naiyar and cinematographer Baba Ajmi. They never compromised on quality at any point of time.

Q: You are playing the leading lady in Deepak Anand's "Fark". What's the reason for it to be stalled after completion of 80 per cent of the movie?
A: I would not like to comment on any such project. It's better not to quiz me on it.

Q: What are you doing these days in Marathi cinema?
A: Recently, I have completed two Marathi films. The first one is "Sakhi" by Sanjay Surkar, also starring Ashok Saraf. The second one is Ramesh Dev Production's "Vasudev Balwant Fadke", a historical movie with Ramesh Dev's son Ajinkya Dev playing the lead role of "Fadke". Gajendra Ahire is directing the film.

Q: Why do you often opt to work with new directors?
A: Even I have not thought of it this way. And I have not done so intentionally. It may be because new directors are approaching me with innovative and exceptional ideas.

Q: What are your other projects?
A: I am playing the lead character of Rimalee in Arindam Chowdhury's "Via Darjeeling". The woman meets someone from her past when she goes to Darjeeling for her honeymoon. The story is quite meandering. Kay Kay Menon and Parveen Dabas are also there in the movie. In Anjan Dutta's "B B D", produced by Mokshi, Joy and Soma Ganguly, I'm sharing screen space with Jimmy Sheirgil, Rituparna Sengupta, Sandhya Mridul and Kay Kay Menon. But I'm not allowed to reveal any more about the film now.

-Rajnee Gupta (SAMPURN)