Father's Day - Sanjana Sanghi says her father's unwavering influence on her helps her take the right decisions | EXCLUSIVE

She also said how her father's quiet integrity has left an indelible mark on who she is—both on and off screen.

As the world celebrates Father’s Day today, actress Sanjana Sanghi spoke about one person who has been the backbone of her life—her father.

In an exclusive and candid conversation with Moneycontrol, Sanjana spoke about the bond she shares with her dad, the unspoken strength he lent her as she moved cities, careers, and personal milestones.

She also said how her father's quiet integrity has left an indelible mark on who she is—both on and off screen.

Ask Sanjana to pick one favourite memory with her father, and she’s quick to protest—it’s impossible to choose just one.

“My dad’s someone I’ve, at every stage of my life, been able to share what’s in my head and heart with,” she shares with a smile that instantly warms the conversation.

Whether it was the pride on his face when she became a gold medalist at Delhi University or the quiet courage he showed when she moved away from home at 20 to live alone in Mumbai, her father has always been her steady anchor.

But the most endearing image is of a little Sanjana learning to swim at the age of five, being tossed into the water by her dad, who called her his "Little Mermaid." "He’d teach me how to swim when I was 4-5 and carry me on his shoulders, saying ‘Little Mermaid,’ and toss me into the water—they’re all deeply cherished moments for me."

Growing up in a nuclear family in Delhi, Sanjana credits both her parents for shaping her and her brother with values that continue to define them.

"I belong to a nuclear family and for my brother and me, our parents have really defined who we are in every way, never by way of instruction, but by way of inspiration. Not belonging to a business family or any secure background, per se, we always saw them hustle, always keeping their spirits up and heads high even in the toughest of times, while making us acutely aware of both our potential as individuals and the financial constraints we had," she said.

Her father, in particular, stood out as someone who always did the right thing, even when it wasn’t the easy choice.

"I have seen my dad always choose the right path, even if it’s the tougher path. I have always seen him wear his heart on his sleeve and be unabashedly loyal to his loved ones, which has influenced me in a big way personally," she added.

That moral clarity and emotional authenticity, she says, have been central to how she now navigates both her personal and professional life.

From Rockstar to Dil Bechara: A Father’s Silent Support

Sanjana’s foray into acting came unexpectedly. At just 13, she was cast in Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar after being spotted during an audition in school.

Naturally, as any parent would, her father also had concerns. But instead of letting fear take over, he responded with unconditional support.

"I distinctly remember the day I went back home after Mukesh Chhabra auditioned me in my school for Rockstar and shared what had happened with my dad while I was in awe and disbelief. Not for one second did he burden me with any fears he may have had."

Sanjana said when she was confirmed for the role, her mother accompanied her on set, while her father managed the household and looked after her younger brother.

"The very next day when we were told I’m locked, it meant my mom would come with me through the shoot, and he was my biggest supporter, holding the fort back at home and taking care of my brother while we were away. Since I was only 13 at the time, when I finally made the decision to pursue acting full-time after I graduated from Delhi University, my parents had seen me do tons of ads and small parts in films through my years in school and college in Delhi itself—and Dad probably felt I was prepared to take this on. He also saw that academia and cinema were paths that could be pursued together, as he had seen me be able to do that," she added.

Living apart, staying connected

Life in Mumbai hasn’t been easy. The distance from her family in Delhi continues to be one of Sanjana’s greatest emotional challenges.

"Living apart never gets easier, and that’s something that I’m slowly coming to terms with. And I often think about how different it would all be if, while pursuing my career in Mumbai, I could have Mum and Dad to come back home to."

She admits that there are days she aches for her father’s comforting presence. "It’s toughened me up over the years, but there are days I crave nothing more than my dad’s forehead massage and the delicious kebabs he makes, and when it’s possible, I have found myself impulsively taking a flight to Delhi to be able to see them and our dogs. From not getting to eat meals together every day to skipping big festivals together, it’s all an unusual experience that I guess I’ll never quite get used to," says Sanjana.

Even as she builds a successful career in Mumbai, her heart still longs for home—especially Delhi’s culinary delights. "Butter chicken. Butter chicken. Butter chicken. Petition for Bombay to up its kebab game, please!!" she laughs.

From DU Gold Medalist to a Bollywood Star

Sanjana’s journey from the classrooms of Delhi University to the sets of Bollywood has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Though acting was a serious passion, she was academically inclined and had a job lined up at Invest India. Yet, the unpredictability of cinema was daunting.

"The move to Mumbai was something that had been on my mind for a long time; we’d constantly toss up between what is the right time and so after the 12th, when it came to applying to colleges, I decided moving to Mumbai for college might be a great way to ease into the city. The way it panned out, I ended up doing really well in my boards and my dream college and course at Delhi University became possible, which I wasn’t ready to forgo," she says.

"During my time at DU, I’d go to Mumbai over twice or thrice a month for shoots, auditions and workshops, and I have always loved the city deeply. When I finally graduated, I still had a deep fear of pursuing acting full-time because of how unpredictable it all seemed and I was unsure whether my academic side would get fueled, which is a huge part of who I am."

The turning point came with Dil Bechara—a debut that resonated with the entire nation. From that moment, there was no turning back.

"I’d accepted my job offer at Invest India while still actively auditioning, but no part till that point felt right. It was when Dil Bechara came about that it seemed like a match made in heaven for me to debut as a leading actor. Life completely changed and I finally took the big plunge and moved," she added.

Making Dad proud—one quiet hug at a time

When asked if there was a defining moment when her father expressed pride, Sanjana smiles. “Dad doesn’t say it verbally but I get the massive bear hug that says it all.”

From academic accolades to delivering a keynote at the United Nations General Assembly and now carving a niche in the film industry—her father has witnessed it all. But what truly fills him with pride? “He tells me he feels most proud when he sees me run my home and career every day as an independent woman in a completely new city.”

We asked her, "How has your journey been from your debut in Dil Bechara to now?" How has Bollywood changed?

Sanjana says she has gone from working with industry legends to experiencing the tectonic shifts in Bollywood post-2020 and has seen both chaos and charm up close.

"That’s a loaded question for sure with no short answer. But it’s been a journey of so many different experiences, learnings, highs and lows. It’s been a life I couldn’t have even dreamt of. Working with legends I have always admired. Being trusted by producers and studios with their incredible stories, but it really just feels like the start with so much to do, explore and accomplish. Bollywood has probably gone through its most intense cycle of transformation since 2020, which is when I debuted and Dil Bechara was one of the first films to release on OTT in India. The way the audiences gave me a place in their hearts from the very day of release is the main fuel that makes me want to push and push even when the obstacles are extreme! The industry is definitely in a phase of finding its balance again with the theatrical business under strain, with us making fewer films than ever before in the last year, and a few such macro changes," she ends the interview on this note.

She agrees that the film industry is still in flux, but her fuel comes from the love of her audience and the values instilled by the man she celebrates this Father’s Day.

In Sanjana’s life story, her father is both a compass and a quiet hero. As she continues to grow in the limelight, she carries his principles close to her heart, reminding herself always to choose the right path, even when it’s the tougher one.