At a promotional press conference for The Paradise in Mumbai, actress Sonali Kulkarni reflected on her journey playing maternal roles across different eras. Twenty-six years after playing Hrithik Roshan’s mother in Mission Kashmir (2000), she is now essaying the role of lead actor Nani’s mother in the upcoming action drama.
When addressing perceptions around female actors taking on maternal roles early in their careers, Sonali noted a double standard in the film industry. She shared that while audiences easily accept male actors playing diverse ages, they often express surprise when a actress plays a mother. She revealed that early in her career, she struggled against this mindset before realizing that strong roles matter more than labels.
Navigating Roles in Bollywood
Sonali highlighted that playing a mother in Mission Kashmir never restricted her career opportunities or led to typecasting in Hindi cinema. Immediately after that release, she went on to sign major mainstream projects, including Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001). She credited directors for looking past age labels and recognizing her versatility as a performer.
Speaking on her character in The Paradise, Sonali expressed deep respect for the purity and strength associated with motherhood on screen. She views taking on these characters as a compliment to her acting abilities rather than a limitation.
Working Alongside Nani
Comparing her current film to Mission Kashmir, Sonali pointed out a key difference in screen time. While her earlier role mostly featured scenes with a child actor playing the younger version of Hrithik Roshan’s character, The Paradise features extensive emotional scenes directly alongside Nani. She described their collaborative performance as a rewarding emotional exchange between two dedicated actors.
Directed as an intense action drama, The Paradise also stars Raghav Juyal and Kayadu Lohar. The film is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on September 24, 2026.
