Sonali Kulkarni says how audiences now have access to content from across the world and how actors have several platforms to showcase their talent.
Published: September 13, 2026, 4:27 PM IST
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https://www.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/sonali-kulkarni-on-why-women-no-longer-stop-getting-heroine-roles-after-marriage-do-you-hear-that-nowadays-no-8523321/
Sonali Kulkarni (PC- Instagram)
Sonali Kulkarni believes Bollywood is slowly moving away from the idea that actors must always look young on screenThe actress, who played Salman Khan’s mother in Bharat despite being younger than him, said both male and female actors are now more willing to explore different kinds of roles. In an interview, Sonali was asked whether women tend to get older roles earlier than men, who often continue to play young heroesShe said the industry and audience have changed, pointing out that actors are no longer afraid of taking on roles that reflect their age.
Recalling how actresses once stopped getting heroine roles after marriage, Sonali told News18, “There was a time when we used to discuss how women don’t get heroine roles once they marryDo you hear that nowadays? NoBecause I think the audience has proved that just like heroes get married, heroines can also get marriedThey can also have childrenThey can have families.”
She further spoke about how audiences now have access to content from across the world and how actors have several platforms to showcase their talentSonali added, “In this scenario, I don’t think we have room to complain that girls are getting different rolesI feel pity for those people who claim that they just want to be a heroI don’t think any actor is that narrow-minded todayWhether a male actor or a female actor, they want to explore their talent.”
Sonali Kulkarni Praises Saif Ali Khan
Sonali then spoke about her Dil Chahta Hai co-stars Saif Ali Khan and Aamir Khan, praising them for choosing challenging roles instead of focusing only on their age or appearance.
“We have such versatile actorsI don’t think any actor will say that he wants to look youngIf we talk about Saif Ali Khan, he is maturing like a fine wine; he isn’t fearing taking up the role of a young dad who is in love,” Sonali said.
She also praised Aamir Khan for experimenting with his roles and recalled his transformation in DangalThe actress said, “Aamir Khan is the epitome of experimentingI don’t think anyone has the courage to do what he has done in DangalAamir Khan jiske poster lagte hain, ladkiyan bekarar hain, mar rahi hain shaadi karne ke liyeHe is presenting himself as the father of 3-4 daughters without any prosthetic; then he is my hero(Aamir Khan, whose posters are put up everywhere, has girls going crazy for him, dying to marry himHe is presenting himself as the father of three or four daughters without any prosthetics; then he is my hero)He is grinding himself fearlessly.”
‘They Don’t Fear Their Age’, Says Sonali Kulkarni
Sonali concluded that actors today are more interested in showcasing their acting abilities than maintaining a youthful image. “I don’t think any good actor is stuck in this competition where they want to look youngThey are flaunting their talentThey are flaunting their command over actingBy all means, they don’t fear their age.”
