Sonali Bendre (born 1 January 1975) is an Indian actress, primarily known for her work in Hindi and Telugu films.

Bendre did modeling assignments before making her acting debut with Aag (1994), which won her the Filmfare Award for New Face of the Year.

Her performance in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000), won her the Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Later, Bendre starred in the television series Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye (2014) and The Broken News (2022-2024).

She starred in opposite Sunil Shetty in three films - Rakshak, Apne Dam Par and Sapoot.

[13][14] Later, she played a village girl in English Babu Desi Mem opposite Shah Rukh Khan.

[8] She received Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female nomination for the film.

[26] Bendre next portrayed Dr. Preeti in Hum Saath-Saath Hain opposite Salman Khan, which became the highest-grossing film of the year.

[27] While Anupama Chopra from India Today quoted, "The women mostly doll up, dance and cook", Alok Kumar opined, "Sonali don't really do much, but looks good doing whatever she does".

[30] The same year, she made her Tamil film debut with Kadhalar Dhinam opposite new actor Kunal, a box office success.

[35] She then appeared in a supporting role in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai with Anil Kapoor.

"[37] Then she played the lead in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain opposite Govinda.

[38][39] In the same year, she made her Kannada film debut with Preethse, a remake of Darr, opposite Shiva Rajkumar and Upendra.

[42][43] She next appeared in Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega opposite Saif Ali Khan.

[45] Lastly, Bendre appeared opposite Ajay Devgn in Tera Mera Saath Rahen.

"[64] From 2014 to 2015, Bendre portrayed a strong housewife Shobha Sachdev opposite Apurva Agnihotri and Harsh Chhaya, in her television acting debut, in the Life OK's series Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh.

"[71] While Saibal Chatterjee added, "Bendre, brings remarkable maturity and balance to bear upon her interpretation of her role.

[73] Writing for The Indian Express, Shubhra Gupta was appreciative of her performance and called her the "strongest reason" to watch the series.

[78][79] On 4 July 2018, Bendre announced that, she has been diagnosed with a metastatic cancer and was undergoing treatment in a New York City hospital.

In December 2012, the Jodhpur court summoned her along with all the accused for commencement of the trial with the revised charges on 4 February 2013.

[94] Although Bendre was acquitted in the blackbuck poaching case on 5 April 2018,[95] the Rajasthan High Court issued her with a notice, challenging her acquittal on 11 March 2019.

[98][99] Rahul Gangwani of Filmfare termed her "beautiful and fresher than the first rains" and said, "Even though Sonali hasn't appeared on the big screen for a decade now, the craze for her remains unbeaten.

[102] News18 called her the "Golden Girl of Bollywood" and added, "Bendre, renowned for her work in Hindi films and beyond, has carved a niche for herself as a style icon.

[104] Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna has compared her with actress P. Bhanumathi, while praising her performance in Palnati Brahmanayudu.

"[106]In addition to her acting career, Bendre is a celebrity endorser for brands and products, including Nirma soap.

[107] She has also endorsed fairness cream,[108] clothing brand Radha, with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Oriflame India.

[111] In 2015, Bendre wrote a book named, "The Modern Gurukul: My Experiment with Parenting", which talks about her achievements and challenges as a first-time mother.

[112] Bendre appeared on Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list of 2016, ranking 99th, with an estimated annual income of ₹65 million (US$750,000).