Sonalee Kulkarni Marks Career Transformation with Tighee Release
From unexpected collaborations to breaking stereotypes and embracing change, Sonalee Kulkarni has completed a significant arc in her acting journey. Her recent film release, Tighee, stands as a testament to her professional hustle, marking a deliberate shift from the aspirational space to a more relatable and authentic zone.
'Tighee Was Never About Making a Statement'
Almost everyone who watched Tighee appreciated Sonalee's performance and her de-glam look. For an actress whose characters have been synonymous with glamour in the past, this represented a potentially tricky transition. However, Sonalee reveals she didn't concern herself with her on-screen appearance.
"My freckles and blemishes are clearly visible," she points out, adding, "It was what the story required and I went with that. It was never about making a statement. The character simply demanded honesty and I gave it that."
With this film, the actress found herself stepping into unfamiliar territory. "I was curious to see how people would receive it," she admits, describing the role, look, and presentation as highly unusual. The response, she says, has been overwhelmingly positive.
"It reinforced my belief that audiences today are far more evolved than they are often given credit for. We tend to underestimate them, but they've evolved," she emphasizes.
From Aspirational to Relatable: A Fulfilling Transition
Does this mean she will completely step away from glamorous roles? "For the longest time, I was part of films that made my characters aspirational. This shift from aspirational to being real and relatable is incredibly fulfilling as an actor," she explains, noting that she has embraced this transition without hesitation.
"It's about doing the kind of films I love watching and working with makers that make those films. At the same time, I am not stepping away from glam roles either," she clarifies, suggesting a balanced approach to her future projects.
End of an Arc; Start of a New Journey
Sonalee's journey of breaking stereotypes has been gradual. After the massive success and cultural imprint of Natarang, it was difficult to shake off that image overnight. She made peace with that reality.
"There are pros and cons when a film becomes that popular," she reflects. Instead of fighting against typecasting, she chose to slowly carve a different path through films like Shutter, Hampi, Tula Kalnar Nahi, and Hirkani.
Following her latest release, many have told her that an arc had been completed with this performance. But Sonalee sees it as both an end and a beginning.
"When you talk of an arc, you're trying to prove something—either to yourself or others. So yes, it feels like a culmination. But from here on, things will be different. It's a new path, one shaped by risk and reinvention," she declares.
With over 18 years of experience to her credit, the actress acknowledges there will be missteps along the way. "But one thing I have learnt is that no matter what, you have to keep believing, pushing and trying. The risks that you take and the honesty that you work with eventually pay off," she adds with conviction.
Navigating AI and Creative Anxieties in Filmmaking
On the subject of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, Sonalee acknowledges its growing influence but believes it should remain a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity.
"AI has to be operated by humans—you can't give away that power," she asserts, adding, "But we've seen its effect in the recent past and how it has impacted livelihoods. People who have spent their lives honing their craft suddenly lost their jobs because AI could do their work now."
Yet, the Natarang actress remains hopeful about the industry's ability to adapt. "As is the case with any new thing, we tend to resist it. Even with AI, we will eventually retain what is useful and filter out what feels threatening," she says, viewing AI as part of a larger cycle of adaptation that creative industries must navigate.
Sonalee Kulkarni's journey reflects an evolving landscape in regional cinema where actors are increasingly exploring diverse roles that challenge conventional expectations while maintaining artistic integrity.
