Tabu is known as one of the finest actresses in Hindi cinema, winning several awards including the National Award and critical acclaim. Tabu won the best actress award for Gulzar’s ‘Machis’ which released in 1996. at that time, Sonali Kulkarni It was also a contender for his acclaimed performance in Amal Palekar’s ‘Daira’. In a recent interview, Sonali admitted that she was jealous and angry when Tabu won. Tabu received her first National Award for Best Actress for ‘Machis’ in 1997, a milestone that marked her transition from being known primarily as a commercial star, thanks to films such as ‘Coolie No 1’ (1991) and ‘Jeet’ (1996), recognized as one of the greatest performers of Indian cinema.“Every year, my films were considered the best selected films in the finals of the National Awards. And every year, year after year, I was disappointed. And that was the time when I really wanted a National Award. I won others, but what you don’t get, you yearn for the most,” he explained in an interview with Screen. Recalling her reaction after Tabu’s win, Sonali said she tried to rationalize the result by telling herself, “She’s not from the industry! It was a very famous line,” referring to Tabu as a veteran actor’s niece. Shabana Azmi. She confessed, “I was so angry and jealous of Tabu that I finally went and watched ‘Machis’. When I watched her pictures, it helped me deal with insecurities or depression.”However, seeing Tabu’s work became a turning point. Instead of inflaming resentment, the act affected him deeply.“She argued that Tabu’s performance in ‘Machis’ was “so smooth” that it calmed her down. “Her performance not only gave me joy, but also instructed me so much that it helped me come to terms with my own life and abilities. While I have seen many of Tabu’s films, including ‘Machis’, ‘Existence’ (2000), and ‘Chandni Bar’ (2001), I have fallen in love with him every time,” added the actor.Over time, Sonali says her obsession with winning national awards has faded as her understanding of acting has developed.“At the beginning of your career, you want to perform all your emotions with intensity. You don’t know what subtlety is. Now I understand what it is to be subtle, what is the difference between theater acting and film acting. So now I have no complaints. I came to terms with myself, more than anything else,” says Sonali.The actor also revealed that Tabu was not the only contemporary he was jealous of. He became jealous of Nandita Das after Mani Ratnam starred in the 2002 Tamil film ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’. Ironically, it was Mani Ratnam who recommended Sonali for her Tamil debut in ‘Me Madham’ (1994), but the renowned filmmaker never cast her in his own directorial venture. On the other hand, Tabu worked with him in the acclaimed political drama ‘Iruvar’ (1997).Sonali finally received National Award recognition in 2002, winning the Special Jury Prize Canada’s revolutionMarathi Short Film ‘Chaitra’. Today, however, his ambitions have changed. Instead of chasing accolades, he hopes to one day share screen space with the actor he once envied.Referring to Rajeev Menon’s 2000 Tamil romantic musical, Sonali said, “I really hope so. Tabu and Aish got to work together in ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’. Beautiful songs and great acting. Later Sonali shared screen space. Aishwarya Rai in Gurinder Chadha2004 film ‘Bride and Prejudice’.
