Sonali Kulkarni: ‘I was so angry and jealous of Tabu for winning the National Award’ Sonali Kulkarni recalls: ‘When I saw her films, she helped me negotiate’ | Hindi Movie News

Tabu is known to be one of the finest actresses in Hindi cinema, who has won several awards along with critical acclaim, including the National Award as well. Tabu had won the best actress for Gulzar’s ‘Maachis’, released in 1996. at that time, Sonali Kulkarni she was also nominated for her acclaimed performance in Amol Palekar’s ‘Daayra’. In a recent interview, Sonali confessed to being jealous and angry when Tabu won. Tabu received her first National Award for Best Actress in 1997 for ‘Maachis’, a milestone that marked her transition from being primarily known as a commercial star, thanks to films like ‘Coolie No. 1’ (1991) and ‘Jeet’ (1996), to be recognized as one of the best performers in Indian cinema.“Every year, my films were considered as the best chosen films in the final rounds of the National Awards. And every year after year, it disappoints me. And that was the moment when I really wanted a National Award. I was winning others, but what you don’t get is what you yearn for the most,” he explained in an interview with Screen. Recalling her reaction after Tabu’s win, Sonali said she tried to rationalize the result by telling herself, “She’s from the industry na! That was a very famous line,” referring to Tabu being the niece of a veteran actor. Shabana Azmi. She confessed, “I was so angry and jealous of Tabu that I finally went to watch ‘Maachis’. When I watched her films, it helped me deal with whatever insecurities or despair I had.”However, seeing Tabu’s work proved to be a turning point. Instead of fueling resentment, the performance left her deeply impressed.“She argued that Tabu’s performance in ‘Maachis’ was “so classy” that it calmed her down. “Her performance not only gave me joy, but she was also so in control that it helped me accept my own life and abilities. When I watched Tabu’s many films like ‘Maachis’, ‘Astitva’ (2000) and ‘Chandni Bar’ (2001), I fell in love with her every time,” adds the actor.Over time, Sonali says her obsession with winning the National Award faded as her understanding of acting evolved.“At the beginning of your career, you want to play all your emotions with intensity. You don’t know what subtlety is. It is now that I understand what it is to be subtle, what is the difference between theater and film acting. So now I have no complaints. I have come to terms with myself, more than anything else,” says Sonali.The actor also revealed that Tabu was not the only contemporary he envied. She admitted to feeling jealous of Nandita Das after Mani Ratnam was cast in the 2002 Tamil film ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’. Ironically, it was Mani Ratnam who had recommended Sonali for her Tamil debut in ‘May Maadham’ (1994), but the famous filmmaker never cast her in any of his own directorial projects. Tabu, on the other hand, collaborated with him in the acclaimed political drama ‘Iruvar’ (1997).Finally, Sonali received National Award recognition in 2002, winning the Special Jury Award for Kranti KanadeMarathi Short Film ‘Chaitra’. Today, however, his ambitions have changed. Instead of chasing accolades, he hopes to one day share screen space with the same actor he once envied.“I really hope so. Tabu and Aish worked together in ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’. Beautiful songs and fabulous performances,” said Sonali, referring to Rajiv Menon’s 2000 Tamil romantic musical. Sonali later shared screen space with Aishwarya Rai in Gurinder ChadhaThe 2004 film ‘Bride and Prejudice’.