Sonali Bendre talks about 90s rejection, says "the Industry didn’t want a skinny, straight-haired girl”

Sonali Bendre on Bollywood industry in 90s

Actress Sonali Bendre recently disclosed that, despite being one of the most recognisable figures of the 1990s, she didn't quite meet the standards of beauty of the era.

Sonali, who is well-known for her grace and on-screen persona in classic films like Hum Saath Saath Hain and Sarfarosh, talked candidly about her early career setbacks, emphasising how the industry first found it difficult to accept her appearance.

When asked by Bollywood Bubble whether she embraces the label of being the “’90s IT girl”, Sonali modestly shared, “Well, in the ’90s I was not really considered the IT girl, but many others were. I was a very distinct person even then. I remember when I came in, there were girls with beautiful, bouncy curls; I was a skinny, straight-haired, lanky girl. Hindi films didn’t like that.”

Sonali explained how the preference at the time leaned towards actresses with fuller figures and voluminous hair, something she didn’t naturally have. “They wanted a slightly more curvaceous girl,” she said, adding, “My hair is actually so straight that it was very difficult to curl, and with the amount of hair I had, it was just easier to leave it open and straight.”

Despite these initial impressions, audiences quickly came to appreciate Sonali's talent and charisma. At the age of 19, she made her screen debut opposite Govinda in Aag (1994), but her true breakthrough came in 1996. Her roles in Diljale with Ajay Devgn and English Babu Desi Mem with Shah Rukh Khan that year cemented her reputation as a bankable star.

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She has starred in a number of successful Bollywood films over the years, and she has had considerable success in Telugu cinema with hits like Indra, Khadgam, and Manmadhudu. In 2022, she made her digital debut with The Broken News, receiving a lot of praise for her performance. She most recently made a special appearance in the movie Be Happy, directed by Remo D'Souza starring Abhishek Bachchan.

Even though she hasn't announced her next project yet, Sonali is still respected for her work as well as her integrity and fortitude in a field with strict standards.