Brought up in Kolkata, Sonnalli has finished her schooling from South Point High School and St Thomas Girls School. She started participating in beauty pageants at a very young age. She won several local competitions and pageants in Kolkata like the May Queen Ball. She also won the Pantene Teen Queen India and worldwide at the age of 15. In 2006, she won the crown of Miss India International and represented India at the Miss International pageant. She was among the top 12 finalists in the international platform.
