Tabu is known as one of the finest actresses in Hindi cinema, winning several awards along with critical acclaim, including the National Award. Tabu won the Best Actress for Gulzar’s ‘Maachis’ which was released in 1996. At that point, Sonali Kulkarni was also a contender for it for his acclaimed performance in Amol Palekar’s ‘Daayra’. In a recent interview, Sonali admitted that she was jealous and angry when Tabu won. Tabu received her first National Award for Best Actress in 1997 for ‘Maachis’, a milestone that marked her transition from being known primarily as a commercial star, thanks to films like ‘Coolie No. 1’ (1991) and ‘Jeet’ (1996), recognized as one of the best performers in Indian cinema.“Every year, my films are considered the best chosen films in the final rounds of the National Awards. And every year, I’m disappointed. And that was the time when I really wanted a National Award. I won others, but what you don’t get, you want that,” he explained in an interview with Screen. Recalling her reaction after Tabu’s win, Sonali said she tried to rationalize the result by telling herself, “She’s from the industry now! That was a very famous line,” referring to Tabu being the veteran actor’s niece. Shabana Azmi. He confessed, “I was so angry and jealous of Tabu that I finally went and watched ‘Maachis’. When I watched her films, it helped me deal with the insecurities or desperation I had.”However, seeing Tabu’s work proved to be a turning point. Instead of burning with anger, the performance impressed him deeply.“She argued that Tabu’s performance in ‘Maachis’ was “so good” that it calmed her down. “Her performance not only gave me joy, but also had a lot of command that helped me reach my own life and abilities. When I watched Tabu’s many films, including ‘Maachis’, ‘Astitva’ (2000), and ‘Chandni Bar’ (2001), I fell in love with her every time,” added the actor.Over time, Sonali says her obsession with winning the National Award faded as her understanding of acting improved.“At the beginning of your career, you want to show all your emotions with strength. You don’t know what subtlety is. Now that I understand what can be subtle, what is the difference between theater acting and film acting. So, I have no complaints now. I understand myself more than anything else,” Sonali said.The actor also revealed that Tabu is not the only one he envies. She admitted to being jealous of Nandita Das after the latter was cast by Mani Ratnam in the 2002 Tamil film ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’. Surprisingly, it was Mani Ratnam who recommended Sonali for her Tamil debut in ‘May Maadham’ (1994), but the famous filmmaker never cast her in any of her own directorial ventures. Tabu, on the other hand, collaborated with him in the acclaimed political drama ‘Iruvar’ (1997).Sonali eventually received National Award recognition in 2002, winning the Special Jury Award for: Kranti KanadeThe Marathi short film ‘Chaitra’. Now, however, his ambitions have changed. Instead of chasing accolades, she hopes to one day share screen space with the very actor she once admired.“I really hope so. Tabu and Aish are working together in ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’. Beautiful songs and beautiful performances,” said Sonali, referring to Rajiv Menon’s 2000 Tamil romantic musical. Sonali later shared screen space with: Aishwarya Rai to: Gurinder Chadha:The 2004 film ‘Bride and Prejudice’.