Sonali Kulkarni Slams Regressive Mindset on Mother Roles: 'Why the Shock When Actresses Do It
Acclaimed multilingual actor Sonali Kulkarni has spoken out strongly against the persistent double standards and intrusive questions female performers encounter regarding age and maternal roles. In an interaction in Mumbai, the veteran artist questioned why society and the film industry continue to express shock whenever a leading actress takes on the role of a mother on screen. Kulkarni pointed out the stark asymmetry in cinema culture, noting that while male superstars are routinely praised for experimenting with varied character ages and unconventional roles, female leads are unfairly questioned as if accepting maternal characters somehow compromises their standing in mainstream entertainment.
Playing Nani’s Mother in Pan-India Venture 'The Paradise'
The conversation gathered momentum following Kulkarni's latest appearance in the pan-India South Indian production The Paradise, where she portrays the mother of Telugu star Nani. Confronted with repetitive questions from critics and media personnel asking why she accepted a mother's part, Kulkarni expressed genuine astonishment at the underlying bias. She explained that she views depicting motherhood as a creative honor and an emotional compliment rather than a career downgrade. Highlighting the universal bond that humans share with maternal figures, Kulkarni stated that authentic characters rooted in emotional depth and real-world values represent the kind of storytelling she takes pride in championing.
Citing 'Mission Kashmir' and Mainstream Success in 'Dil Chahta Hai'
Proving that maternal roles have never constrained her cinematic trajectory, Kulkarni recalled her early-career portrayal in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 2000 film Mission Kashmir, where she played the adoptive mother to Hrithik Roshan. She noted that despite having only a single direct confrontation sequence with Hrithik while spending most of the runtime with his younger self, that choice did not pigeonhole her as a performer. Immediately following that release, leading filmmakers cast her in glamorous and contemporary roles in major box office hits like Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Farhan Akhtar’s seminal classic Dil Chahta Hai, completely dismantling the notion that playing a mother stalls an actress's versatility.
Electrifying On-Screen Dynamic and 26-Year Maternal Gap
Reflecting on the 26-year gap between Mission Kashmir and The Paradise, Kulkarni expressed immense satisfaction with the collaborative experience on the sets of the new film. Unlike her brief screen time with Hrithik, her role in The Paradise features extensive, high-voltage dramatic sequences shared directly with Nani. Kulkarni lauded their on-screen chemistry and mutual commitment, sharing that both actors channeled intense emotional resonance into every frame. Standing firmly behind her choice, the actress affirmed that she has absolutely no regrets about taking on powerful, character-driven roles that celebrate maternal strength.
