Nana Patekar was not intimidating on sets: Sonali Kulkarni

Panaji: Sonali Kulkarni says she was not intimidated by the presence of Nana Patekar on the sets of 'Dr Prakash Baba Amte: The Real Hero' as the noted actor pushed her to give her best in the Marathi film.

Sonali, 40, has earlier teamed up with Patekar in Bollywood movie 'Taxi No 9211' and Marathi film 'Deool'.

"Nana Sir helped me to prepare for my role in 'Dr Prakash Baba Amte...' He pushed me to give my best shot. When he is on set, he improves the acting of his co-stars. I was not at all intimidated by his presence on the set of the film for which I didn't get much time to prepare," said Sonali, who attended the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

The actress, who is known for playing characters elder than her age, said she was not the first choice to play Prakash's wife Mandakini Amte in the film.

"I was not the first choice for the film. But I am lucky to get this role in the film. Like everyone, I also read about this film in the newspaper and was curious to know more about it," she said.

'Dr Prakash Baba Amte: The Real Hero', which released last month, chronicles the journey of the life of the social reformer in Eastern Maharashtra.

"Samruddhi (director) offered me the film just a week before the shooting began. I was apprehensive because I don't look like Manda Tai. It was a tough film as per as the shooting area was concern. My daughter was accompanying me for the shoot and I was worried about her health because the place is cerebral malaria prone," she said.

Sonali was last seen in Gujarati film 'The Good Road', which India's official entry to the Oscars last year. In Bollywood, the 'Dil Chahta Hai' actress last appeared in a small role in Ajay Devgn starrer 'Singham'.