PremiumOops! Ab Kya? actor Sonali Kulkarni on being criticized for skin complexion at 16: 'A lady said 'don't you know dark girls...'?' | Exclusive
In OTTplay's interview, Sonali Kulkarni opened up about the time she was judged for her skin complexion. The actress is currently awaiting her show, Oops! Ab Kya?'s release.
Last Updated: 07.58 PM, Feb 18, 2025
Actress Sonali Kulkarni has been working in the film industry for over three decades now. The actress is presently gearing up for the release of her OTT show, Oops! Ab Kya?. During the promotions, OTTplay did an exclusive interview with the senior actress. In conversation with us, the actress revealed how she felt humiliated upon being judged for her skin complexion at a young age. This incident happened when she went for the audition for her first film.
Sonali Kulkarni recalls facing criticism
Sonali Kulkarni opened up about the time she went to audition for her first film by filmmaker Girish Karnad. The actress recalled she was a 'struggler from Pune' and wore the only Punjabi suit she had, for the audition. It was gifted by her brother. She added that 25 other girls were present for the audition. Moreover, she was happy about the fact that she was going to meet the acclaimed filmmaker.
"As soon as I entered, there were my friends, but there were a couple of elder people. One of the aunties, who is a well-known person in the city, happened to say, 'Why are you here?' I didn't get the sarcasm in her question. I started answering her that the girls of my age group were encouraged to attend the workshop," shared Sonali.
The actress further mentioned, "She (the aunty) looked at me and she said, "Don't you know that dark girls look really bad on camera?" I was very vulnerable. I was all of 16 and I felt so embarrassed. I felt as if why did I come here? I shouldn't have been here."
Despite the humiliation she faced, Sonali decided to work. "In any case, I like helping people and I like to be substitute for everyone. I decided that today I have work, I will serve tea and will give water to everyone. I was so disturbed. Then, I saw Girish uncle coming down," she shared.
How Girish Karnad's warm approach made Sonali regain her confidence
Sonali continued saying that all the girls, present for the audition, were made to stand in a half circle when Girish Karnad came. The actress revealed that the director interacted with everyone, including her.
Revealing their conversation, Kulkarni mentioned, "He asked my name and what I was doing those days. And I told him that I was in 12th standard and said I was also doing a play. He asked, 'Which play?' The way he started the conversation, it made me forget about the humiliation I had faced a few minutes before." Later, the actress told the filmmaker about the play she was doing and this conversation with him made her feel good.
On a concluding note, she said, "I had no desire to become an actor but I just felt that this quality of a human being to make the other person feel okay about himself or herself was so unique. That was my life-changing moment. I don't know when I decided to be an actor but I decided to be a good person first of all."
Meanwhile, her show Oops! Ab Kya? will be released on JioHotstar on February 20, 2025.