Sonalee Kulkarni plays groomsmaid at brother's Marathi-Punjabi wedding
Synopsis
'Apsara Aali' star Sonalee Kulkarni stepped up as groomsmaid at her brother's wedding, celebrating a Marathi-Punjabi union that mirrors her own mixed heritage — her mother and now her new sister-in-law are both Punjabi, while the Kulkarnis are Maharashtrian. The wedding photos offer a rare personal glimpse behind one of Marathi cinema's most recognisable faces.
Key Takeaways
Sonalee Kulkarni served as 'karavli' (groomsmaid) at her brother's wedding on 19 August .
Her new sister-in-law is Punjabi , joining her mother Savinder as the Punjabi contingent in an otherwise Maharashtrian family.
Sonalee appeared in an ivory Banarasi sari with a Maharashtrian-style headpiece for the festivities.
The actress rose to fame with her Lavani performance in 'Apsara Aali' from Natarang (2010).
Her recent Marathi projects include 'Jhimma' , 'Tighee' , and 'Salbardi' .
Marathi cinema star Sonalee Kulkarni, best known for her iconic Lavani performance in 'Apsara Aali', stepped into the role of 'karavli' (groomsmaid) at her brother's wedding, sharing vibrant glimpses of the celebration on social media. The festivities showcased a warm Marathi-Punjabi cultural blend that mirrors Sonalee's own family background.
The Wedding Celebrations
Sonalee posted a series of photographs from the wedding, capturing traditional rituals, family portraits, dance moments, and candid scenes with loved ones. In one standout image, she appeared dressed in an ivory Banarasi sari paired with a purple embroidered blouse, traditional jewellery, and a Maharashtrian-style headpiece.
Captioning her post, Sonalee wrote, 'Karavali duties' — a nod to her role supporting her brother through the festivities. The images also featured the newlyweds, extended family members, and moments of joyful dancing.
A Family Rooted in Two Cultures
The wedding brought into focus the cultural duality that has long defined Sonalee's household. Her new sister-in-law is Punjabi, joining the actress's mother Savinder, who is also Punjabi, while Sonalee, her brother, and their father Manohar Kulkarni are Maharashtrian. Sonalee noted that her sister-in-law now joins the 'league' of Punjabi women in the family.
The wedding photographs reflected this fusion, with family members seen dressed in both traditional Maharashtrian and Punjabi attire. Sonalee, who grew up in an Army family, has previously spoken about feeling equally at home with both cultural influences.
Sonalee Kulkarni's Career Journey
Sonalee launched her acting career with the Marathi television series 'Ha Khel Sanchitacha' in 2006, the same year she made her film debut with 'Gauri'. Her first major lead role followed in 2007 with 'Bakula Namdeo Ghotale'.
Her career gained significant momentum with director Ravi Jadhav's 'Natarang' in 2010, where her Lavani performance on 'Apsara Aali' became a cultural landmark. She has since appeared in a string of acclaimed Marathi films including 'Ajintha', 'Classmates', 'Mitwaa', 'Hampi', 'Poshter Girl', 'Hirkani', and 'Dhurala'.
Sonalee also crossed over into Hindi cinema, featuring in 'Grand Masti' and 'Singham Returns'. Her recent Marathi projects include 'Jhimma', 'Tamasha Live', 'Date Bhet', 'Victoria', 'Parinati', 'Tighee', and 'Salbardi', cementing her position as one of the most versatile performers in Marathi cinema today.
Point of View
Spanning two generations of women, is a story mainstream Marathi celebrity coverage rarely pauses on. For an actress whose screen identity is deeply rooted in Maharashtrian folk tradition, the personal narrative adds a layer that her public persona seldom reveals. It is also a reminder that some of the most-watched regional stars navigate multiple cultural registers off-screen in ways their audiences may not expect.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did Sonalee Kulkarni play at her brother's wedding?
Sonalee Kulkarni served as 'karavli' — the Marathi term for groomsmaid — at her brother's wedding. She shared photographs from the celebrations on social media, captioning them 'Karavali duties'.
Who is Sonalee Kulkarni's new sister-in-law?
Sonalee's new sister-in-law is Punjabi. The actress noted that she now joins the 'league' of her mother Savinder, who is also Punjabi, making the Kulkarni household a Marathi-Punjabi family across two generations.
What is Sonalee Kulkarni best known for?
Sonalee Kulkarni is best known for her Lavani performance on 'Apsara Aali' in the 2010 Marathi film 'Natarang', directed by Ravi Jadhav. The performance became a cultural landmark and significantly boosted her career.
What are Sonalee Kulkarni's recent films?
Her recent Marathi projects include 'Jhimma', 'Tamasha Live', 'Date Bhet', 'Victoria', 'Parinati', 'Tighee', and 'Salbardi'. She has also appeared in Hindi films including 'Grand Masti' and 'Singham Returns'.
What is Sonalee Kulkarni's cultural background?
Sonalee comes from a mixed cultural background — her father Manohar Kulkarni is Maharashtrian and her mother Savinder is Punjabi. She grew up in an Army family and has spoken about being comfortable with both Marathi and Punjabi cultural influences.
