Kriti Sanon (born 1990) is a prominent Indian actress who works primarily in Hindi cinema. She began her career as a model before making her acting debut in the 2014 Telugu film 1: Nenokkadine. Kriti gained wider recognition in Bollywood with her debut in the same year, starring alongside Tiger Shroff in Heropanti, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Known for her charm and versatility, she has since appeared in several successful films, including Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), Luka Chuppi (2019), and Mimi (2021), where she earned praise for her portrayal of a surrogate mother.
Kriti’s talent and screen presence have made her one of the leading actresses in contemporary Bollywood. Aside from her acting career, she is involved in brand endorsements and is known for her sense of style. Kriti is also active on social media, engaging with her large fan base.
Early Life and Education
Kriti Sanon was born on July 27, 1990, in New Delhi, India, into a well-educated family. Her father, Rahul Sanon, is a chartered accountant, and her mother, Geeta Sanon, is a professor at the University of Delhi. Raised in a middle-class, academic-oriented family, Kriti was encouraged to focus on her education, and she excelled in her studies from a young age.
Kriti attended Delhi Public School, RK Puram, one of the most prestigious schools in the city, where she was a bright student and actively participated in extracurricular activities, including sports and dance. Her upbringing was relatively typical for a girl from an academically inclined family, with an emphasis on securing a stable profession.
After completing her schooling, Kriti pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida. Unlike many actors who enter Bollywood at an early age, Kriti’s journey into the world of cinema was unconventional. She completed her engineering degree before making the bold decision to follow her passion for modeling and acting. Despite the societal expectations surrounding her engineering career, Kriti’s inclination towards performing arts ultimately took center stage.
From Engineering to Modeling
During her college years, Kriti began dabbling in modeling. Her tall frame, striking features, and natural grace made her a favorite among designers and brands. Kriti began her modeling career with small assignments, but her natural elegance and professionalism quickly caught the eye of major fashion houses and advertising agencies.
Kriti’s early success in the modeling industry was a result of her hard work and dedication. She appeared in numerous television commercials for brands like Close-Up, Vivel, Amul, Himalaya, and Samsung, among others. These commercials provided her with significant visibility, and it wasn’t long before she became a popular face in the advertising world.
Her big break came when she walked the runway at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and other major fashion events, which boosted her credibility as a model. Her success in modeling laid the foundation for her entry into the film industry. While she enjoyed her work in the modeling world, Kriti always had a deeper passion for acting and began looking for opportunities in the film industry. Unlike many newcomers, she had the advantage of her academic background, which gave her a sense of discipline and focus as she navigated the competitive world of Bollywood.
Bollywood Debut: Heropanti (2014)
Kriti’s hard work and perseverance paid off when she landed her first acting role in Bollywood. She made her debut with the 2014 film Heropanti, opposite Tiger Shroff, who was also making his debut. Directed by Sabbir Khan, the movie was a commercial success, and Kriti’s performance as Dimpy, a headstrong yet vulnerable girl, earned her positive reviews from both audiences and critics.
Despite being a newcomer, Kriti’s confidence, screen presence, and natural acting ability were widely praised. She won several awards for her performance, including the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, which cemented her position as a promising newcomer in the industry. Her pairing with Tiger Shroff also became popular, and the film’s success provided Kriti with the momentum she needed to establish herself in Bollywood.
Venturing into South Indian Cinema
Following her successful debut in Bollywood, Kriti ventured into the South Indian film industry. In 2014, she appeared in the Telugu psychological thriller 1: Nenokkadine, opposite superstar Mahesh Babu. Directed by Sukumar, the film was a significant departure from the romantic-comedy genre, and Kriti played a journalist who aids the protagonist in his quest to uncover his past.
While the film received mixed reviews and did not perform as expected at the box office, Kriti’s performance was well-received, particularly her chemistry with Mahesh Babu. The role further showcased her versatility as an actress and demonstrated her willingness to experiment with different genres early in her career. Her brief stint in Telugu cinema helped her gain a wider fan base, especially in the South Indian film market.
Rising Stardom: Key Roles in Bollywood
After proving her mettle in both Bollywood and Telugu cinema, Kriti Sanon’s career continued to gain momentum with a series of successful films. In 2015, she starred in Dilwale, directed by Rohit Shetty. The film featured an ensemble cast that included Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Varun Dhawan. Kriti played Ishita, the love interest of Varun Dhawan’s character, in this romantic-action comedy. While the film was a major commercial success, primarily driven by the popularity of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s on-screen reunion, Kriti’s role in Dilwale helped solidify her presence in the industry.
Dilwale grossed over ₹400 crore worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of that year. Although Kriti had a relatively supporting role compared to the lead pair, her performance was appreciated, and she successfully held her own among the industry’s biggest stars.
In the following years, Kriti continued to take on roles that showcased her versatility and growth as an actress. She starred in Raabta (2017), alongside Sushant Singh Rajput. Directed by Dinesh Vijan, the film was a reincarnation drama that revolved around love transcending time. Although the film did not perform well at the box office, Kriti’s performance as Saira, a girl with a mysterious past, was appreciated for its emotional depth and complexity. The film’s failure did not deter Kriti’s career, and she continued to be selective about her projects, focusing on roles that allowed her to evolve as an actress.
Breakthrough with Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017)
Kriti Sanon’s real breakthrough came with the film Bareilly Ki Barfi in 2017, directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. The film, a lighthearted romantic-comedy set in a small town, starred Kriti alongside Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao. Kriti played Bitti Mishra, a rebellious and free-spirited young woman who refuses to conform to the societal expectations imposed on her in her conservative hometown.
Bareilly Ki Barfi was a critical and commercial success, and Kriti’s portrayal of Bitti was widely praised. Her performance struck a chord with audiences, as she embodied the character’s independence, humor, and vulnerability with ease. The film’s success marked a turning point in Kriti’s career, as it proved her ability to headline films and carry them to success. Her pairing with Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao was also well-received, and the trio’s chemistry became one of the highlights of the film.
Critics lauded Kriti for her natural acting style and her ability to bring authenticity to her character. With Bareilly Ki Barfi, Kriti firmly established herself as one of Bollywood’s leading actresses, capable of delivering strong performances in content-driven films.
Expanding Her Horizons: Luka Chuppi (2019) and Beyond
Kriti Sanon continued her successful run in Bollywood with films that showcased her versatility. In 2019, she starred in Luka Chuppi, a romantic comedy opposite Kartik Aaryan. The film revolved around the concept of live-in relationships in small-town India and the societal complications that arise from it. Kriti played Rashmi Trivedi, a progressive woman who challenges traditional norms by choosing to live with her boyfriend before marriage.
Luka Chuppi was a commercial hit, and Kriti’s chemistry with Kartik Aaryan was well-received by audiences. The film’s lighthearted take on modern relationships in conservative settings resonated with viewers, and Kriti’s performance was once again praised for its natural charm and relatability.
In the same year, Kriti took on a more serious role in Panipat (2019), a historical drama directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The film was based on the third Battle of Panipat and starred Kriti opposite Arjun Kapoor. She played Parvati Bai, the wife of the Maratha warrior Sadashiv Rao Bhau. The role required Kriti to undergo a transformation, both physically and in terms of her acting approach, as she played a historical character with emotional depth and strength.
While Panipat did not perform well at the box office, Kriti’s portrayal of Parvati Bai was appreciated, and she received praise for stepping out of her comfort zone to take on a more intense and demanding role. The film allowed Kriti to explore a different genre and expand her range as an actress.
Establishing Herself as a Leading Actress
By the time 2020 rolled around, Kriti Sanon had cemented her position as one of the most sought-after actresses in Bollywood. She had successfully balanced commercial entertainers with more content-driven films, proving her versatility across genres. Her girl-next-door appeal, combined with her ability to portray complex characters, made her a favorite among both filmmakers and audiences.
In 2021, Kriti starred in Mimi, a film that became a milestone in her career. Directed by Laxman Utekar, Mimi was centered around the topic of surrogacy, with Kriti playing the titular role of Mimi, a young woman who agrees to become a surrogate mother for an international couple. The film tackled sensitive social issues while also delivering emotional and comedic moments, and Kriti’s performance was hailed as one of the best of her career.
To prepare for the role, Kriti underwent significant physical transformation, gaining weight to realistically portray the character’s pregnancy journey. Kriti’s dedication to the role of Mimi was evident not only in her physical transformation but also in the emotional depth she brought to the character. Mimi is an ambitious young woman with dreams of becoming a Bollywood actress, but she finds herself entangled in an emotional journey when she agrees to be a surrogate for a foreign couple. The film explores themes of motherhood, societal pressures, and personal ambition, all of which Kriti handled with grace and conviction.
Her performance in Mimi garnered widespread critical acclaim, with many critics and audiences calling it her career-best performance. Kriti seamlessly shifted between comedy and intense drama, portraying a wide range of emotions as Mimi navigates the challenges of surrogacy, her changing body, and her evolving understanding of motherhood. She was praised for capturing the nuances of the character, especially the vulnerability and strength that come with unexpected responsibilities.
For her role in Mimi, Kriti received numerous accolades, including nominations and awards for Best Actress at various prestigious award shows. The film also gave her the opportunity to showcase her ability to lead a movie entirely on her own, proving that she could carry a film based on her performance alone, without relying on an ensemble cast or a male co-star.
Continued Success and Upcoming Projects
As of 2023, Kriti Sanon has firmly established herself as one of the leading actresses in Bollywood. Her ability to balance commercial entertainers with content-driven films has allowed her to maintain both mass appeal and critical recognition. Following the success of Mimi, Kriti has been involved in a series of high-profile projects that promise to further elevate her career.
One of her most anticipated films is Adipurush, a mythological epic directed by Om Raut, where she stars opposite Prabhas. The film is a modern retelling of the Ramayana, and Kriti plays the role of Sita. The role is a significant departure from her previous characters, as it requires her to embody the grace, dignity, and strength of one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures. Adipurush is expected to be a major film in Kriti’s career, both in terms of scale and the impact of the role.
In addition to Adipurush, Kriti is also set to star in Ganapath, an action-thriller alongside Tiger Shroff, with whom she made her debut in Heropanti. The film is expected to showcase her in a more action-oriented role, adding another layer to her versatility as an actress. She is also slated to appear in Shehzada, a remake of the Telugu film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, opposite Kartik Aaryan, reuniting the duo after their successful collaboration in Luka Chuppi.
Kriti has consistently chosen films that offer a variety of roles, ensuring that she does not get typecast in any one genre. Her choice of projects demonstrates her commitment to challenging herself as an actor, while also appealing to a wide audience base.
Business Ventures and Personal Interests
Beyond acting, Kriti Sanon has also ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. In 2021, she launched her own fitness brand called The Tribe, which focuses on promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Through this venture, Kriti has combined her passion for fitness with her desire to inspire people to lead healthier lives. She regularly shares her fitness routines on social media, and her commitment to staying fit has made her a role model for many of her fans.
Kriti is also known for her fashion sense and has become a style icon in Bollywood. Her red carpet appearances, as well as her casual off-screen looks, are often lauded by fashion critics. She has collaborated with various designers and has been the face of several fashion and beauty brands.
In her personal life, Kriti remains grounded and close to her family. Despite her success in Bollywood, she often talks about the importance of her family in keeping her connected to her roots. Her younger sister, Nupur Sanon, is also an aspiring actress and singer, and the two share a close bond, often seen together at events and on social media.
Kriti is an avid reader and enjoys writing poetry in her spare time. She has shared some of her poems on social media, giving fans a glimpse into her introspective and creative side. Her love for writing also extends to screenplays, and she has expressed interest in exploring scriptwriting and directing in the future.
Navigating the Industry and Facing Challenges
Like any actor in Bollywood, Kriti Sanon has had to navigate the challenges that come with being a part of a highly competitive industry. While she has achieved significant success, she has also had to deal with the pressures of fame, scrutiny from the media, and the highs and lows of box-office performance.
Despite these challenges, Kriti has remained focused on her craft, continually striving to improve her skills and take on more diverse roles. She has spoken about the importance of hard work and perseverance in an industry where competition is fierce and opportunities can be fleeting. Kriti’s background in engineering, with its emphasis on discipline and problem-solving, has helped her maintain a pragmatic approach to her career.
Kriti has also addressed issues related to nepotism in Bollywood, acknowledging that while she did not come from a film family, she had the privilege of a strong educational background and supportive parents who allowed her to pursue her dreams. She has often spoken about the importance of talent and persistence in succeeding in the industry, regardless of background.
Social Media and Public Image
Kriti Sanon has a strong presence on social media platforms, where she engages with her fans and shares glimpses of her personal and professional life. With millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, she is one of the most followed celebrities in Bollywood. Kriti uses her platform not only to promote her films and endorsements but also to raise awareness about important social issues.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kriti was vocal about the importance of staying safe and supporting those affected by the crisis. She participated in several charity initiatives, raising funds for COVID relief efforts, and used her influence to spread awareness about mental health, vaccination drives, and the need for social distancing.
Her social media posts often reflect her positive and down-to-earth personality, which has helped her maintain a strong connection with her fans. Kriti is known for being approachable and humble, qualities that have endeared her to both her peers in the industry and her audience.