International Women's Day: Marathi actresses who inspired us

Women around the world are proving their mettle in all the areas of life, setting examples and motivating others to do the same. On the occasion of International Women’s Day today, we take this opportunity to address and recognise some of the actresses in Marathi film industry who have inspired all through their works and otherwise.

Sonali Kulkarni is undoubtedly one of the most talented actresses of the Hindi Cinema. She studied at Ferguson College, Pune with Political Science as her subject and received a scholarship in Marathi literature. She has a flair for languages like Marathi, Hindi, English, Gujarati, Italian and Tamil. She has been actively associated with both theatre and cinema.
She debuted into movies with a bilingual film titled ‘Cheluvi’ which was based on a Karnataka folk tale. Directed and written by Girish Karnad, the film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. Films, television and reality shows, the talented actress has done it all. With an ever enchanting charm and down-to-earth demeanour, Sonali has won hearts of millions of people around the world.
Recently, the actress featured in a video released on the occasion of the International Women's Day asking all to thank every woman especially mothers if not through words but through our gestures.

Sai Tamhankar has very successfully carved a niche for herself in both Bollywood and Marathi industry. Apart from her works in the films, her personality is something that is greatly admired about the actress.
Known for her top-line fitness, she is recognised as a crowd-puller and is undoubtedly a fashionista. With about three lakh followers on the social media, she is one of the most popular actresses in the industry.
The bold and beautiful Sai has films like ‘Duniyadari’, ‘Classmates’, ‘Hunterrr’ (Hindi) and others to her credit. The actress is a role model for many young girls. She sent her wishes straight from Great Barrier Reef on Women's Day to all the ladies out there!

Amruta Khanvilkar has appeared in Hindi and Marathi films and established herself as one of Marathi cinema's leading actresses and an accomplished dancer. She is also a famous television anchor.
Apart from being a wonderful actress, she also happens to be a style diva. Much appreciated for her fashion sense, she is the style icon of many young girls. On the occasion of International Women's Day, she took to her Twitter handle and wrote, “I am a #woman...Whats's your Superpower?

'Dhak Dhak’ girl Madhuri Dixit-Nene has emerged as one of the most successful and beloved actresses of her generation ever since she made her debut in ‘Abodh’, when she was merely 18 years old. Over the past twenty-five odd years, she has riveted audiences in countless movies, the last being ‘Gulaab Gang’ where she stole everyone’s hearts with her powerful performance. In 2001, Dixit was been ranked by among the Top Five Most Powerful Indian Movie Stars. In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India. Madhuri Dixit has been appointed as UNICEF's 'celebrity advocate for child rights'. Recently she has also started her new innings as a producer in Marathi industry. This multitalented superstar is a role model for many women out there.

After working as a model in her early career, Sonalee Kulkarni made her debut in Kedar Shinde's film ‘Bakula Namdeo Ghotale’. The actress has made her mark not only in critically acclaimed films but also some mainstream Bollywood films too like ‘Grand Masti’ and ‘Singham Returns’. Both of these films went into 100 crore clubs with humongous box-office successes.The Marathi Diva is not only an exceptional dancer but is also a fitness lover and believes in healthy living and Yoga. The actress is a truly an inspiration to her fans.

Rightly called the demi-Goddess of Marathi cinema, Priya Bapat is charming, charismatic, classy and more. Her name is enough to draw the masses to the cinema halls and you bet she doesn’t even have an iota of superfluous pride about that fact.
Always trying to experiment in her works and never settling for less, the actress is best known for her roles in the movies like ‘Kaksparsh’ for which she won many accolades. She won the Best Actress Maharashtra State Award for ‘happy Journey’. She has also appeared in Hindi films like ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ and ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’.This vivacious yet generous lady is a true inspiration to many!