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When Sonali Kulkarni was offered the role of Salman Khan's mother in Ali Abbas Zafar's 2019 drama Bharat, she initially tried to cast someone else. The 29-year-old actress, who is nine years younger than the 51-year-old actor, was initially hesitant to take the part. In an interview with Galatta India, Sonali revealed that her first instinct was to suggest replacements herself. She questioned the decision to offer the role to her, asking, "Why are you offering it to me?"

Sonali's hesitation had nothing to do with playing a mother. Rather, her concerns stemmed from the practicality of the role. As she stated, "I don't have any complex about how I would play a character. I am super open about portraying any role." She gave examples of her previous diverse roles to demonstrate her comfort with various characters, such as her portrayal of a girl who could become a flowering tree in her debut film Cheluvi (1992) and a boy with a moustache in Daayraa (1996).

The practicality of the role was a significant factor in her hesitation. Playing the mother of an actor nearly a decade older raised a believability problem, which was a concern she had. Despite her initial reservations, two things ultimately won her over to accept the role. Firstly, the script leaned heavily on flashbacks to Bharat's childhood, making the casting more plausible.

Secondly, she was excited to work with Salman Khan, as it would provide an opportunity to connect with him, given that they had only met once before during the music launch of one of her films.

Sonali also praised her co-star Katrina Kaif's work ethic, noting that she witnessed Kaif rehearsing sincerely for her dance numbers. The actress expressed her appreciation for the camaraderie on set, highlighting the positive atmosphere and the collaborative spirit among the cast and crew. Despite the casting choice and the pattern of older male stars being paired with much younger heroines, Bharat proved successful at the box office.

The film, which was made for Rs 165 crore, earned Rs 321 crore worldwide and secured a blockbuster status according to industry tracker Sacnilk.