Sonali Kulkarni, born on November 3, 1974, in Pune, Maharashtra, India, is a prominent Indian actress, producer, and writer known for her work primarily in Marathi cinema, as well as in Hindi and Tamil films. She grew up in a middle-class Maharashtrian family and developed an early passion for acting, participating in local theater and workshops. Kulkarni made her film debut at the age of 18 in the Hindi movie "Cheluvi" (1992) and later transitioned to Marathi films with "Mukta" (1994). Her performances in critically acclaimed films like "Doghi" (1995) and "Daayraa" (1996) earned her significant recognition, including several awards. Over the years, she has starred in a variety of successful films such as "Mission Kashmir" (2000), "Dil Chahta Hai" (2001), and "Singham" (2011). In addition to her acting career, Kulkarni has authored a book and produced plays through her production company. She married Kunal Benodekar in 2021.