Happy Birthday Kriti Sanon: From Engineer to National Award-winning star

Kriti Sanon turns 35

Kriti Sanon has steadily carved a niche for herself in the Indian film industry, evolving from a fresh-faced debutante to one of Bollywood’s most bankable and versatile leading ladies. With a combination of talent, beauty, and perseverance, Sanon has built an enviable career that blends mainstream success with critical acclaim.

Born on July 27, 1990, in New Delhi, Kriti hails from a well-educated family — her father, Rahul Sanon, is a chartered accountant, and her mother, Geeta Sanon, is a professor at Delhi University.

Kriti pursued a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida. However, destiny had other plans.

Though not from a film background, her striking features and camera presence led her to modelling, and soon she found herself gravitating towards acting.

Kriti Sanon made her acting debut in the Telugu film “1: Nenokkadine” (2014) opposite Mahesh Babu. While the psychological thriller didn’t fare well at the box office, Kriti’s performance drew attention, particularly for someone new to the craft.

She burst onto the Bollywood scene the same year with “Heropanti” (2014), alongside Tiger Shroff. The film was a commercial success and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

Her portrayal of a rebellious yet charming young woman won her both audience admiration and industry recognition.

Post her debut, Kriti worked in several romantic and commercial films, slowly establishing herself as a bankable star:

“Dilwale” (2015) – Opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, Kriti played a modern romantic heroine in Rohit Shetty’s masala entertainer. The film was a box office hit.

“Bareilly Ki Barfi” (2017) – This film marked a turning point in Kriti’s career. Her role as Bitti, a small-town girl with big dreams, was met with critical acclaim and showed her range beyond glam roles.

“Luka Chuppi” (2019) – A commercial hit, this film further cemented her standing as a lead actor capable of carrying films with relatable charm and humour.

“Housefull 4” (2019) and “Panipat” (2019) – While the former was a comedy blockbuster, the latter gave her a chance to explore a historical character with gravitas.

The turning point in Kriti’s artistic journey came with “Mimi” (2021), in which she played a surrogate mother. The film demanded emotional depth and vulnerability, and Kriti delivered a standout performance. Her portrayal was widely lauded, and she was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actress (2023) — a prestigious milestone in her career.

This role not only showcased her acting prowess but also placed her in a different league of performers.

Kriti has ventured into film production with her company Blue Butterfly Films, showing interest in stories that are both meaningful and commercially viable. She's also dipped her toes into the world of beauty with her skincare brand Hyphen, co-founded in 2023.

Her off-screen ventures reflect her multidimensional personality and business acumen.

What makes Kriti Sanon’s career trajectory noteworthy is not just her success, but her deliberate choices. She has balanced mass appeal with roles that challenge her creatively. Without the backing of a film dynasty, she has climbed the ladder of success on the strength of her talent, professionalism, and charm.

With box office credibility, critical respect, and a growing list of entrepreneurial ventures, Kriti Sanon stands as one of the brightest stars of contemporary Hindi cinema — and her journey is far from over.