Sonali Kulkarni has spoken about her decision to play Salman Khan’s mother in Bharat, despite being nine years younger than the actor. The casting reflects a recurring practice in Indian cinema where actresses may be chosen for mother roles opposite male actors who are close to them in age or older by only a few years. In an interview with Galatta India, Kulkarni explained that she initially felt the part did not suit her and even tried to suggest other actors for the role.
Sonali initially questioned the casting
According to Kulkarni, when Bharat was offered to her, she was not immediately convinced that she was the right person for the character. She said she shared a list of actors with director Ali Abbas Zafar and casting director Mukesh Chhabra who, in her view, could have been suitable for the part.
She also asked the team why she had been approached for the role. Her hesitation, she explained, was not because she was unwilling to play a mother on screen, but because she felt the character needed to look convincing within the story.
Why she eventually accepted the role
Kulkarni said that her perspective changed after hearing the complete story of Bharat. The film places considerable emphasis on Salman Khan’s character during different stages of his life, including childhood flashbacks. That narrative structure helped her understand why the character was important to the story.
Another factor was that Kulkarni had never previously worked with Salman Khan. She recalled having met him once at the music launch of one of her films, but Bharat offered her an opportunity to work with him as part of the film’s central family narrative. She therefore decided to accept the role.
Actress says she is open to unusual characters
Kulkarni also pointed out that she has never considered herself reluctant to take unconventional parts. She recalled that her first film, Cheluvi, released in 1992, featured her as a young woman who could transform into a flowering tree. In Dayra, she played a male character.
She also referred to Mission Kashmir, saying audiences continue to associate her with Sanjay Dutt’s character as his wife rather than specifically remembering her as Hrithik Roshan’s surrogate mother. Her comments underline her view that an actor’s identity should not be reduced to the relationship their character has with another person.
Sonali praises Katrina Kaif
Bharat also featured Katrina Kaif opposite Salman Khan. While discussing her experience on the film, Kulkarni spoke positively about Kaif and recalled watching her rehearse seriously for the movie’s dance sequences.
The film also included Sunil Grover, Disha Patani and Jackie Shroff in important roles. Bharat was directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and released in 2019.
Bharat’s reported box office performance
According to the figures cited in the source material, Bharat was made on a reported budget of around ₹165 crore and earned approximately ₹321 crore worldwide. The film was inspired by the South Korean film Ode to My Father and followed its protagonist through several decades of his life.
Kulkarni’s comments provide additional context about the casting of the character and explain why she eventually chose to become part of the film despite her initial reservations.