Born on 1 January 1975 in a Marathi-speaking family in Bombay, Sonali Bendre began her Hindi film career with Aag (1994) and won the Filmfare award for New Face of the Year.

Bendre did her schooling at the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Malleswaram, Bangalore, and Holy Cross Convent High School in Bombay. She became a model and was selected for the ‘Stardust Talent Search’. Success did not come easily to the beautiful actress. After her debut, she got critical acclaim for her performances only two years later, in Diljale (1996). This was followed by Bhai (1997), Zakhm (1998), Duplicate (1998), Sarfarosh (1999), Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), Tera Mera Saath Rahen (2001) and Anahat (2003), among others. These films brought her fame and recognition. She has also worked in Marathi, Telugu and Tamil films. Kadhalar Dhinam (1999) is one of her more popular Tamil films.

After her marriage to film director Goldie Behl in 2002, Sonali Bendre cut down on her film work. Some of the popular films she acted in after her marriage are Chori Chori (2003) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). However, she has been seen a lot more on television. She hosted a dance show named Kya Masti Kya Dhoom. She was also a judge on Indian Idol on Sony Entertainment Television and on shows like Mr & Mrs Television and India's Got Talent. In 2012, she also appeared as a judge on reality dance series Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz on Life OK channel, along with choreographer Terence Lewis.

Bendre has also judged India's Best Dramebaaz on Zee TV. She also played the lead in Star Life OK's television soap Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh.

After a long break from films, Bendre made a comeback in Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara! (2013). She hasn't signed up for a film project since then.