Kriti Sanon / Wikipedia

While Bollywood has often been accused of rewarding legacy and lineage, it's 'outsiders' like Kriti Sanon who carve their own path and defy the odds to curate their own journey in Tinseltown. Armed with a B.Tech degree, a dream, and quiet determination that's impossible to ignore, the actress stormed into the scene with Heropanti in 2014 along with another debutant-Tiger Shroff. While her first film outing garnered a lot of attention, most of it stemmed from the curiosity around her co-star, Jackie Shroff's son.

However, this didn't deter the Delhi girl who stood her ground and let her work do all the talking. And she hasn't stopped since. With more than a decade in the industry now, the actress has managed to strike a balance between commercial films and critically acclaimed cinema.

Also read: Aamir Khan- The star, the seeker, the storyteller

Bollywood Insider revisits the journey of a star who's redefined what it means to be a leading lady.

Engineering success 

Born in Delhi to a Chartered Accountant father and a Physics professor mother, Kriti's upbringing was steeped in discipline and academics. "My parents were strict but supportive.

They wanted me to have a backup plan, so engineering came first," she had shared. A shy child while growing up, she had always nurtured a deep love for dance. The Param Sundari girl said, "I learnt Kathak for about five years, which has really served me well today because classical dance gives your body a pace and rhythm that comes in handy for any dance form."

Kriti graduated from the Jaypee Institute of Information Technology with a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. But even as she aced her exams, Kriti confessed that she secretly always nurtured a passion for performance. "I used to mimic ads in front of the mirror. Acting was always there, just waiting for the right moment," she had shared in an interview.

Travelling Sanons

Kriti shares a famously close bond with her younger sister Nupur, who is also a singer and actress. "She's my buddy, my bro, my child, and sometimes my 'l-can-judge-people-better' kinda mummy," Kriti wrote in a birthday post for Nupur. Their childhood was filled with shared secrets, fashion experiments, and endless giggles. Kriti has shared how they used to fight over clothes and makeup. "But she's my biggest cheerleader," the actress admitted.

Nupur, who made her debut opposite Akshay Kumar in the music video Filhall, often credits her elder sister for inspiring her to pursue acting. "She's my role model. Watching her hustle made me believe I could do it too," Nupur had once admitted.

Relationships First

Kriti has always prioritized the relationships in her life. While her circle is really close-knit, she is extremely fond and protective of it. She confessed to having a "mama bear instinct" for the people she loves. "I'm fiercely protective of my family and close friends. I want to be there for them in every way possible."

She has also always been vocal about her views on relationships. In a heartfelt interview, she shared what makes a relationship meaningful to her: "Something as insignificant as carrying a jacket while going to the movies in case I feel cold or thoughtfully ordering food when I come back home after working late can make a relationship feel so meaningful," she said.

Speaking about the challenges of modern love, Kriti had once shared, "Just because I'm successful and independent doesn't mean I need someone who matches that checklist. I need someone who understands me, respects me, and sees the little things. Someone who's emotionally intelligent, thoughtful, and kind. Someone who makes me feel safe and seen.

In a candid interview, Kriti's sister had revealed that the actress had only dated two people in her life, with her longest relationship lasting about two-and-a-half years. "She's very private about her personal life, but when she loves, she loves deeply," Nupur had revealed.

Kriti was rumoured to be in a relationship with her Raabta co-star Sushant Singh Rajput. While she seldom spoke about their proximity, Kriti had admitted that he was one of the most intelligent people she had ever met and that they could talk about anything-from quantum physics to philosophy to cinema-because conversations with him were never ordinary.

After his sudden passing, a heartbroken Kriti shared, "Sush... I knew that your brilliant mind was your best friend and your worst enemy... but it has broken me completely to know that you had a moment in your life where dying felt easier or better than living. I so wish you hadn't pushed the ones who loved you away... I wish I could have fixed that something which was broken inside you... I couldn't."

Love of Films

Whether it's the quirky Luka Chuppi, the intense Panipat, or the romantic Dilwale-Kriti brings a grounded charm to every role. Talking about her choice of roles, she had said, "I don't want to be boxed in. I want to do films that make people feel something-whether it's laughter, tears, or introspection."

Her co-stars often praise her professionalism and warmth. Varun Dhawan once called her "a total team player," while Pankaj Tripathi described her as "a sponge-she absorbs everything around her and grows with it."

Beyond Cinema

Apart from a film career, Kriti is also a fashion icon, a poet, and a budding entrepreneur. Her Instagram feed is a mix of glam shoots, goofy reels, and heartfelt poetry. "Writing is my therapy. It helps me process emotions I can't always express," she had once revealed.

The actress also launched her skincare brand, Hyphen, in 2023, reflecting her interest in wellness and self-care. "I wanted to create something honest. Something that reflects who I am." And indeed, her film career is testament to it.