Tabu is recognized as one of the best actresses in Hindi cinema, who has won several awards and accolades, including the National Award. Tabu won Best Actress for Gulzar’s ‘Maachis’ which was released in 1996. At that time, Sonali Kulkarni she was also a contender for her performance in Amol Palekar’s “Daayra”. In a recent interview, Sonali admitted that she was jealous and angry when Tabu won. Tabu received her first National Award for Best Actress in 1997 for ‘Maachis’, an event that made her not known as a commercial star, thanks to films like ‘Coolie No.“Every year, my films were considered as the best selected films in the finals of the World Prize. And every year, I was disappointed. And it was the time when I really wanted the World Prize. I was winning others, but what you don’t get, you want more,” he explained in an interview with Screen. Recalling her reaction after Tabu won, Sonali said that she tried to explain her result by saying to herself, “She’s from the industry! Shabana Azmi. He revealed that, “I was angry and jealous of Tabu that I finally went to watch ‘Maachis’. Whenever I watched his films, it helped me to overcome my insecurities or despair.”However, seeing Tabu’s work changed a lot. Instead of infuriating her, the play made her more curious.He used to say that Tabu sang so well in ‘Maachis’ that it calmed him down. As I watched many of Tabu’s films, including ‘Maachis’, ‘Astitva’ (2000), and ‘Chandni Bar’ (2001), I always fell in love with her,” adds the actor.Over time, Sonali says her enthusiasm for winning the National Award faded as her understanding of acting changed.“At the beginning of your career, you want to do all your thinking strongly. You don’t know what is subtle. Now I understand what should be hidden, what is the difference between theater and movies. So, I have no complaints now. I have become more connected than anything else,” says Sonali.She also revealed that Tabu is not the only person she admires. He admitted that he was jealous of Nandita Das after the latter acted with Mani Ratnam in the 2002 Tamil film ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’. Ironically, it was Mani Ratnam who encouraged Sonali to make her Tamil debut in ‘May Maadham’ (1994), but the famous filmmaker never cast her in any of his directorial ventures. Tabu, on the other hand, collaborated with him in the popular political drama ‘Iruvar’ (1997).Sonali eventually received a National Award in 2002, winning the Special Jury Prize Canadian newspaper‘s Marathi Short film ‘Chaitra’. However, these days his ambitions have changed. Rather than seeking fame, he hopes to one day share the spotlight with an actor he envies.“I really believe it. Tabu and Aish worked together in ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’. Great music and amazing acting,” said Sonali, referring to Rajiv Menon’s 2000 Tamil romantic comedy. Sonali later shared the spotlight with Aishwarya Rai in Gurinder Chadhathe 2004 film ‘The Bride and Prejudice’.
