Actress and film presenter Sonali Bendre has opened up about her emotional connection with Pashya, the 13-year-old protagonist of the upcoming Marathi film Sohla, saying she was drawn to his world almost instantly.
The makers unveiled the film’s trailer on Monday, offering a glimpse into Pashya’s childhood, family, friendships and the experiences that begin changing his understanding of the world as he moves towards adolescence.
“There was something about Pashya and his world that I connected with almost immediately. It’s simple, familiar, and full of these little moments that somehow become the ones you remember,” Sonali said.
She added that Pashya’s family, traditions and discoveries give the story an emotional quality and expressed hope that audiences would recognise elements of their own experiences in his journey.
Director Saaikat Bagbaan said Sohla originated from a desire to explore childhood and growing up through the perspective of a 13-year-old boy.
According to Bagbaan, Pashya inhabits a world that is warm and familiar, but his age makes everyday experiences take on new meaning. The traditional Sohla ceremony serves as the backdrop for his transition from childhood innocence towards the early stages of growing up.
Set in a village environment, Sohla explores childhood, family and friendship while focusing on the gradual process through which children begin making sense of the world around them.
The film marks Sonali’s first outing as a film presenter. It is directed by Bagbaan and produced by Goldie Behl under Rose Audio Visuals, along with Sachin Srivastav, Ratna Srivastava and Kavita Bagban under the banner of Carryon Films.
The cast includes Pravin Dalimbkar, Devdatta Prashant Gone, Varsha Malwadkar, Vaishnavi Sanjay Ghodke and Alessandra Whelan Merediz.
Sohla is scheduled to release in theatres on October 16, 2026.
