Sonali Bendre on 'Sohla': 'I connected with Pashya's world almost immediately'
Synopsis
Sonali Bendre's presenter debut 'Sohla' isn't another nostalgia vehicle — it's a quietly ambitious attempt to tell a rural Maharashtrian coming-of-age story through the eyes of a 13-year-old navigating tradition and adolescence. Bendre says she connected with Pashya's world 'almost immediately', and the trailer released on 5 October suggests director Saaikat Bagbaan has crafted something more textured than the genre usually delivers.
Key Takeaways
Sonali Bendre is presenting 'Sohla' — her debut in a film presenter role.
The film follows Pashya , a 13-year-old boy , as he navigates childhood and adolescence against the backdrop of the Sohla ceremony in a rural village setting.
The trailer was released on 5 October 2026 , generating early attention for its warm, intimate tone.
Director Saaikat Bagbaan describes the film as a story about 'childhood and growing up' through a young boy's eyes. 'Sohla' is produced by Goldie Behl (Rose Audio Visuals) and releases in cinemas on 16 October 2026 .
Actress Sonali Bendre has spoken candidly about her emotional connection to 'Sohla', the upcoming Marathi-language film she presents, saying she felt drawn to its central character Pashya and his coming-of-age journey from the very first encounter with the story. The film is slated to release in cinemas on 16 October 2026.
Bendre on Her Instant Connection with Pashya
Speaking about what drew her to the project, Bendre said, '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.'
She elaborated on the warmth she found in the narrative, adding, 'His family, the traditions he grows up with, the things he discovers along the way… there's so much heart in his journey. The trailer gives you just a glimpse of that world, and I hope when people watch it, they feel some of what I felt when I first discovered Sohla. Maybe even recognize a little bit of their own story in Pashya's.'
Notably, 'Sohla' marks Bendre's debut as a film presenter — a significant shift in her professional role after her celebrated acting career.
Director Saaikat Bagbaan on the Film's Core Idea
Director Saaikat Bagbaan explained the creative intent behind the story, saying, 'Sohla began with the desire to tell a story about childhood and growing up through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old boy. Pashya is surrounded by a world that feels simple, warm, and familiar, and yet he is at an age where everything around him begins to mean something different.'
Bagbaan noted that the traditional Sohla ceremony provided the ideal dramatic backdrop for the narrative. 'I hope the trailer gives audiences a sense of the world we have created and makes them curious to meet Pashya in cinemas,' he said.
What the Trailer Reveals
The trailer, released on Monday, 5 October 2026, offers a window into the lively village world surrounding Pashya, a 13-year-old boy navigating the threshold between childhood innocence and the dawning complexities of adolescence. The visuals highlight relationships, emotions and formative experiences — set against the backdrop of a warm, familiar rural community where family ties and local customs shape young lives.
The film centres on themes of childhood, friendship, and family, exploring how children gradually begin to understand and interpret the world around them.
Cast, Crew and Release Details
Directed by Saaikat Bagbaan, 'Sohla' is produced by Goldie Behl under Rose Audio Visuals, alongside Sachin Srivastav, Ratna Srivastava, and Kavita Bagban under the banner Carryon Fiilms. The film stars Pravin Dalimbkar, Devdatta Prashant Gone, Varsha Malwadkar, Vaishnavi Sanjay Ghodke, and Alessandra Whelan Merediz.
'Sohla' arrives in theatres on 16 October 2026, with early buzz centred on its understated storytelling and a rare focus on rural Maharashtrian childhood — a space that mainstream Indian cinema seldom occupies with this kind of intimacy.
Point of View
Small-town storytelling, and Bendre's choice of this quiet coming-of-age film as her presenter debut signals a deliberate positioning away from spectacle. The Sohla ceremony as a narrative anchor is a relatively unexplored cultural touchstone, and if the film delivers on the trailer's emotional promise, it could follow the path of films like 'Shwaas' in finding crossover resonance. The more interesting question is whether Bendre's association will draw multiplex audiences to a genre that has traditionally struggled beyond the festival circuit. Her stated emotional connection is compelling, but the box-office test on 16 October will reveal whether authenticity alone is enough of a draw.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'Sohla' about?
'Sohla' is a coming-of-age film that follows Pashya, a 13-year-old boy, as he transitions from childhood innocence toward adolescence in a warm, familiar village setting. The Sohla ceremony serves as the backdrop for his journey of discovering family, friendship, and a changing world.
When does 'Sohla' release in cinemas?
'Sohla' is scheduled to release in theatres on 16 October 2026. The trailer was dropped on 5 October 2026, offering the first public look at the film's world and characters.
What is Sonali Bendre's role in 'Sohla'?
Sonali Bendre is presenting 'Sohla' — marking her debut as a film presenter. This is a new professional chapter for the actress, who has spoken of feeling an immediate personal connection to Pashya's story.
Who has directed and produced 'Sohla'?
'Sohla' is directed by Saaikat Bagbaan and produced by Goldie Behl under Rose Audio Visuals, along with Sachin Srivastav, Ratna Srivastava, and Kavita Bagban under Carryon Fiilms.
Who are the lead actors in 'Sohla'?
The film stars Pravin Dalimbkar, Devdatta Prashant Gone, Varsha Malwadkar, Vaishnavi Sanjay Ghodke, and Alessandra Whelan Merediz. The central character Pashya is a 13-year-old boy at the heart of the coming-of-age narrative.
