Actress Sonali Kulkarni, best known for her iconic role in Dil Chahta Hai, endured a frightening ordeal on April 29, 2026, when she got trapped in a massive traffic jam while heading from Mumbai to Pune. Stuck on the Mankhurd bridge for over five hours amid complete standstill on both sides, she described the situation as “extremely scary” in a viral Instagram video, pleading for prayers from followers. The gridlock stemmed from a crane collapse on the busy Sion-Panvel highway two days prior, turning a routine trip into a test of endurance with no visible end in sight.
In her raw footage, Sonali stepped out of her car to capture the sea of immobilized vehicles stretching endlessly ahead and behind, under dim night lights. “It’s been exactly five hours here on Mankhurd bridge. We’re going to Pune—you can see the traffic everywhere,” she said, voice laced with frustration. Beyond hunger, the lack of updates, exit options, or basic facilities heightened the panic, as commuters reported similar chaos with no resolution timeline. Tragically, a police constable caught in the jam reportedly passed away due to the prolonged congestion, underscoring the severity.
Sonali reached out to traffic control for help, only to be told “have patience” since the jam was “really bad” and unpredictable. “They don’t know when it will clear,” she added, highlighting the helplessness felt by hundreds stranded without amenities or diversions. Her video exploded online, drawing solidarity from fans and celebs who shared own horror stories from the corridor, notorious for such bottlenecks during peak hours or accidents.
The Mission Mangal and Marathi cinema star used the platform to spotlight infrastructure woes on one of India’s busiest routes, where rapid urbanization clashes with outdated roads. Past incidents—like monsoons flooding or breakdowns—have sparked calls for expansions, but this crane mishap exposed ongoing vulnerabilities. By early April 30, some movement resumed, allowing Sonali to proceed, but disruptions lingered into the day.
Her candid post resonates amid rising commuter complaints, urging better traffic management, real-time apps, and alternate routes. As Pune-Mumbai travel booms with IT hubs and film shoots, Sonali’s wake-up call pushes authorities for accountability—proving even stars aren’t immune to urban gridlock’s grip