People often say that it’s tough for newcomers to make it in Bollywood because they often lose opportunities to star kids. Today, we’re going to discuss the journey of an actress who defied the odds in Bollywood despite losing roles to star kids.
We are talking about Kriti Sanon, an actress whose journey through the chaotic and competitive waters of Bollywood is nothing short of inspiring. Born on July 27, 1990, in New Delhi, Kriti Sanon comes from a Punjabi Hindu family. Her father, Rahul Sanon, is a chartered accountant, and her mother, Geeta Sanon, is a physics professor at the University of Delhi. Kriti also has a younger sister, Nupur Sanon, who is herself an actress making waves in the industry. Kriti’s early years were spent focusing on her education. She attended Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram and later earned a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida. Before venturing into acting, she briefly worked as a model, but her heart always yearned for the world of cinema.
Sanon’s acting journey officially began in 2014 with her debut in the Telugu film “1: Nenokkadine,” starring opposite Mahesh Babu. Her portrayal received positive responses despite her initial nervousness, exacerbated by complex action scenes involving water. She transitioned into Bollywood with her Hindi debut in “Heropanti,” acting alongside Tiger Shroff. This movie brought her widespread recognition and critical acclaim, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
However, like many newcomers in Bollywood, Sanon faced numerous challenges. In a candid conversation with Pinkvilla, the actress opened up about feeling disheartened at times during her career, expressing frustration over the perceived preferential treatment given to star kids in the industry. “There was a phase,” she said, “where I was just very restless because I knew that I had way more potential than what I could portray in the opportunities that I had in front of me. I wanted something deeper. I wanted something where I could just show my potential as an actor way more.”
Sanon’s performance in “Mimi” (2021) marked a significant milestone in her career. Portraying the title role of an aspiring actress turned surrogate mother, Sanon garnered praise for her nuanced performance, despite the film’s mixed reception. She received several accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and the National Film Award for Best Actress.
However, her journey was not without its fair share of missed opportunities.
. Kriti openly discussed the roles she lost to star kids, revealing her frustration over these setbacks. “I was getting frustrated,” she admitted, “because I was like, I know I can do it; I know I can kill it, but I don’t have it in front of me. At that point, I was also seeing some new faces, some of them belonging to the film background, coming in having not done anything and getting opportunities that I was like, how…?”
Kriti’s determination never wavered. “I always say this,” she added, “that as an actor ‘Aapko jitna ghada milega, utna hi aap bhar sakte ho. Agar aapko chota vessel diya jayega toh usme aap utna hi paani bhar sakte ho. Agar aapko bada diya jayega toh aap aur bhar sakte ho.’ (You can only fill a vessel with as much as it holds. If it’s small, you can only pour in so much water. If it’s big, you can pour in more.) So I was looking for that bada vessel for a very long time.”
In another revealing conversation with Curly Tales, Kriti shared a rather painful memory from her modeling days. “My first ramp show,” she recalled, “the choreographer, I have never worked with her again, she was very rude to me because I messed up the choreography. It was at some farmhouse and heels were getting stuck into the grass and it was my first time. Terrible. I started crying because she was scolding me in front of 50 models and very rudely. I was holding it for long but I cry the moment someone shouts at me.”
Despite the struggles, Kriti Sanon has managed to carve a niche for herself in the industry. Her role in “Mimi” stands as a testament to her acting prowess and resilience. The portrayal of a surrogate mother in this comedy-drama earned her critical acclaim, culminating in the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
Kriti Sanon’s journey is a compelling example of perseverance and talent triumphing over adversity. From facing rejection and dealing with the industry’s biases to eventually shining in some of the biggest films, Sanon’s story is truly a beacon of hope for all aspiring actors trying to make their mark in Bollywood.
