Kriti Sanon is more than just a pretty face. She’s an outsider with ‘survivor’ tattooed on her heart. From her memorable performance as the vivacious Bitti in Bareilly Ki Barfi to her emotionally-charged role as a surrogate mother in Mimi, Kriti has proven time and again that she’s a force to be reckoned with. In her last release Do Patti, she continues to push her boundaries, showcasing her versatility and dedication to her craft by playing a double role with the ease of a virtuoso. Hailing from Delhi, Kriti embodies the spirit of a dreamer who has fought her way to the top with unwavering determination and hard work. Kriti’s grounded nature reflects her understanding of the highs and the lows of fame. She wears her struggles and victories with pride, inspiring countless others to pursue their dreams with courage. Beyond the glamour, Kriti Sanon stands tall as an artiste who values substance over superficiality. She’s not just building a career; she’s creating a legacy defined by meaningful roles, heartfelt performances and an unshakeable belief in the magic of movies. Excerpts from an engaging interview with the feisty actress…
Now that you have turned producer with Do Patti, do you feel less privileged because you can’t throw star tantrums on the sets?
I never throw tantrums on set and my producers can vouch for that. In fact, I was often exploited, working 16-hour days. Both my co-producer, Kanika Dhillon and I were first-time producers, which meant a lot of learning. Our main focus was to make a good film.
You loved playing the dark twin in Do Patti.
I really enjoyed playing the sassy, unapologetic Shailee. There’s something badass and liberating about her. She doesn’t conform to moral boundaries, which is the opposite of who I am in real life. Playing such a character boosts your confidence because it’s not who you are. Kanika’s characters always have layers. Shailee like Saumya, has her own baggage and demons. You’ll definitely see a more edgy side of me through these roles.
What made you want to produce this film?
While shooting for Mimi, I became deeply passionate and emotionally attached to the film, wanting to be creatively involved in every aspect of filmmaking. Since entering the industry, I’ve always been curious, absorbing everything from music to editing. After Mimi, I craved more intense and layered roles. I received great scripts like Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and Crew. But, still sought something deeper. When I met Kanika, I shared my desire to produce and support films. She had a twin story in mind. After a month, she presented a beautiful five-page story that blended both our ideas. I was moved and immediately on board.
Was there any difference in Kajol since you worked with her in Dilwale and now in Do Patti?
I’ve definitely changed since Dilwale. Back then, I was new and felt like the baby on set, with limited scenes with Kajol. So we couldn’t break the ice. She got along well with Varun Dhawan, who had worked as an AD on My Name Is Khan, and I felt a bit left out. However, in Do Patti, we had many meaningful scenes together with a lot of give-and-take as actors. Kajol would guide me on the tone of scenes and she was open to my suggestions. I’ve grown as an actor, and it was great to work on these edgy scenes with her. The ice between us finally broke.
You have worked with actresses like Dimple Kapadia, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Tabu. When women come together on set, is it a nightmare or is there a lot of bonding?
With Dimple ma’am, I had only two scenes, one where I say, “davai do” and another with a malfunctioning robot. During rehearsals, she laughed and complimented my performance. Her style, confidence and colourful glasses are inspiring. One day, I’d love to play a character like hers. Working with Kareena felt like acting with Geet from Jab We Met. She has a natural spark on camera but she prepares meticulously. Before a take, I see her walking around, mouthing her lines in different ways, completely focused. Tabu ma’am is unpredictable. She often adds spontaneous, funny moments that shift the scene’s tone. I don’t think she prepares. She just lets things flow on the sets. Kajol ma’am looks even better than she did in Dilwale. I’m curious about what she’s doing. Even after so many films, she still has a hunger to improve each scene, which reminds me of Shah Rukh sir’s dedication.
What kind of challenges do women in the film industry face?
Today, the story is the true star of films, and women are opting for stronger roles. However, films with female protagonists are often seen as smaller productions. We need to change that perception. Producers should create grand, visually-stunning scenes with female leads, like those in Pathaan with Shah Rukh Khan, moments that are made for the big screen. Gangubai is a great example, where Mr Bhansali presented the story on a grand scale, invested in the visuals and the film succeeded both critically and commercially.
What kind of relationship do you share with your own sibling?
I’m close to my sister, Nupur. She’s my best friend and knows everything about me. Like most siblings, we’ve had our ups and downs. There was a time we didn’t get along, fought a lot, and had separate friend circles. When I moved to Mumbai, we weren’t as close but when she moved here, our bond grew stronger. As we got older, we became best friends. We still have our fights but I’m very protective of her and tend to ‘mother’ her.
If she were seeing someone, would you give her relationship advice?
She doesn’t need me as she’s more sane in her relationships than I am. We are different people when it comes to relationships.
You come from Delhi, where girls have a lot of harrowing tales to tell about how they
are harassed by men...
Delhi is often considered unsafe for women, especially after 8 pm. When I was doing my BTech and modelling simultaneously, I used to drive to my shows and my parents would start checking on me by 8:30 pm. If a group of girls went out, we made sure there were boys with us. In contrast, in Mumbai, I would drive back alone or with my driver at 2 am, and my parents were amazed by how safe it felt. I do have some Delhi traits, though. For instance,
I had to protect my Hindi in Mumbai because it can get diluted here. People say “right maro” (for turning right), which sounds aggressive. Also, in Delhi, we speak a bit faster, which I still do!
You are an engineering student. They are supposedly very cold and clinical. Is that why you have a business bent of mind and you came up with ventures like skincare, a clothing brand, and now production?
I never had a business mindset. As an engineering student, I was taught to be logical and curious, always asking “why” and “how” things work. This mindset shaped my journey, from Heropanti to Dilwale. I still ask questions about my character, sets, and more. When I turned 30 during the lockdown, I realised the importance of skincare and started learning about it. Noticing a gap in the market, I thought of creating skincare products. When I met my partners, I had a clear idea of the ingredients and products I wanted to develop. They didn’t expect that from an actor but I applied my engineering mindset to many areas.
You’ve lived alone in Mumbai. Does it take a toll on your mental health? Did you think of going to a therapist, especially when working on a troubled character?
Being alone was fine until my dad returned to Delhi, leaving me alone in Mumbai for the first time. I didn’t like the silence at home or the emptiness I felt when returning to a hotel room after a shoot. It’s unsettling. While filming Mimi, I poured myself into a scene, channelling painful memories. Initially numb, I found myself screaming and crying, a release I hadn’t experienced before. Post-lockdown, I went through a tough phase and spoke with therapists, but nothing helped. During Do Patti, I tapped into another emotional memory, but it left me feeling low weeks later. My therapist advised me to stop revisiting such memories, emphasising that while acting requires emotional depth, I needed to protect my well-being. I promised to find a healthier approach.
There was a time when your films were not doing well, and there were a lot comments that you were doing bad films.
As an actor, I want to balance performance-driven films with big-budget, 100 crore films. I enjoy watching all kinds of movies, so I believe I should be a part of diverse projects. Success and failure are beyond my control. Once I sign a film, I give it my 100 per cent, whether it turns out to be good or bad. After Mimi, there was a lot of chatter about what I should or shouldn’t do, with unkind remarks saying I was unlucky. But this kind of trolling doesn’t affect me.
What have been the turning points in your career?
I wouldn’t call Dilwale a turning point but it was a stepping stone. From being an outsider with just one film to working with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. It gave me global reach, thanks to Shah Rukh sir’s massive fanbase. Bareilly Ki Barfi was a real turning point, as people saw me in a completely different role as Bitti, proving I could perform. Then came Mimi, which was a huge turning point in my life. I’d also mention Teri Baaton Mein. While shooting, I didn’t think much about the outcome. The character, Shifra, was about a robot who could be human at times and robotic at others. The way the audience embraced the character and the love it received was incredible.
What have you learnt in your journey so far?
As an actor, you go through ups and downs and eventually, you reach a point where you know what doesn’t work for you and you can focus on what you truly love. For me, it’s being on the sets. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and Crew did well, and people’s perception of me changed completely. I’m not affected by the chatter because it’s temporary.
What advice would you give to the girl who started off 10 years ago?
Don’t be too hard on yourself or stress too much. Keep working, and you’ll get where you’re meant to be when the time is right. Everything happens for a reason and your ups and downs will serve that purpose. Stay true to who you are, because in this industry, it’s easy to lose your core. Remember, both success and failure are temporary, so don’t be too tough on yourself.
Have you lost out on roles to kids from film families or because you didn’t have that connection?
I haven’t been given opportunities easily from the start of my career. Once, I heard I was being considered for a role but wasn’t among the top three. Later, I found out that none of the top three were selected, and instead, someone else from a film background appeared on the poster. It happens.
You mentioned Bareilly Ki Barfi, directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Teri Baaton Mein, which was directed by the duo Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah. Is there a difference in the male gaze and feminine gaze when directing a film?
Bareilly Ki Barfi was written by Nitesh Tiwari and directed by his wife Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and there was no difference in the writing or execution. As for Amit and Aradhana, they have very different personalities. Amit is more instinctive, while Aradhana is more logical. A great example of this is Laxman Utekar sir. His explanation of the delivery scene in Mimi was truly touching. He said that typically, in films, a woman screams a few times, and the child is born. But he wanted people to feel the real pain of childbirth in that scene. He wanted every husband to look at his wife and realise what she went through. For a man who hasn’t experienced that pain himself to say that was commendable.
These days, people’s faces are constantly changing because of fillers or Botox. Do you ever feel pressured to try it out?
I make a conscious effort not to surround myself with people who make me feel insecure, even if they mean well. Your core group should uplift you. Those who cause insecurity are often dealing with their own, but I don’t judge them. It’s a personal choice. If altering your body boosts your confidence, that’s your decision, and you should accept the outcome. However, I don’t want young girls feeling pressured to be perfect all the time. No one looks perfect constantly. I have puffy days, bad hair days. The photos we see are often edited and filtered and sometimes you don’t even recognise yourself. It’s important to understand the impact this has.
Does all this trigger anxiety in you?
As someone in a profession centred on vanity, I do want to look good but not to the point where I feel the need to change anything. I want to age gracefully and take care of myself, both physically and mentally. Because what you feel inside shows on your face. Overall well-being is key. I want to look real. I don’t want to always post pictures where I look perfect. I avoid the filter zone and tell photographers not to overly touch up my face to the point it looks unreal.
What about body shaming? There’s so much pressure to be a certain size in school, college, and especially in this profession. Is that a harsh reality?
It’s a harsh reality but you can’t stop people from saying what they want. In the past, they’d say it to your face; now, it’s online. While social media has its positives, the negatives often outweigh them. People share what they’re eating, where they’re travelling, making it seem like everyone’s life is better than yours. But that’s not the whole picture. No one shows the moments when they’re crying.
Everything is curated for Instagram. The camera is on 24/7. Isn’t that scary?
Part of me wishes I’d been around during an earlier time when there were fewer awards and less focus on appearance. Back then, awards had more credibility and the celebrations felt genuine. People would show up for award shows relaxed, reflecting their true personalities, not like they’d been styled by someone. Now, everything’s become more complicated. Everyone seeks validation, whether through social media or reviews. But which part of it is real? You want to know who’s praising you genuinely. It’s all become very superficial.
Imagine getting validation from an app...
It’s also become a perception and may not be the truth. The audience believes what you put out. The audience reads rumours and actually believes them and discusses them. Social media is feeding us so much information because platforms need to put out something every few seconds.
Do you think this constant scrolling is healthy?
A few years ago, I’d get upset watching my hairstylist stress over not getting views on his posts. I’d tell him he was more focused on capturing the moment than living it. This obsession with social media is affecting today’s generation. That said, I’ve become addicted to reels myself! I used to swear I wouldn’t, but now I watch skincare reels for hours. By the end, I feel drained. The older generation, who didn’t grow up with social media, is confused by it, while the younger generation hasn’t experienced life without it.
Kriti Sanon’s love fundas
Is your height a deterrent when it comes to your co-stars and your dating life?
(Laughs) In my dating life, I prefer men who are taller or the same height as I am. I don’t want to look down to kiss.
I always want to be able to lean on someone’s shoulder! That said, I’ve worked with many actors with whom I’ve had great chemistry, and some have been shorter than me. They might have to stand on a ‘patra’ but that’s perfectly fine.
Men are intimidated by successful women. Have you ever faced that with your partner?
I’ve only encountered one insecure person but that relationship didn’t last. To me, that’s a red flag. A partner should support and help the other grow, regardless of success. It’s about being proud of each other and wanting the best version of themselves. That’s what I look for in a man.
Is it easier dating an actor or easier to date someone from another profession?
An actor might understand certain situations better because they’re in the same field but I also think actors can be quite vain and the profession feels like a bubble. It’s refreshing to talk to someone outside of that world who doesn’t know the persona and treats you like a normal person, discussing other things. Everyone has their pros and cons, whether an actor or not. What matters is that the two people are in sync best friends, and share a love for each other.
What kind of person are you in relationships? Psychotic or stress-free?
I fall head over heels in love. I’m understanding and trusting. To me, love and trust go hand in hand. I’m a romantic at heart, while my sister is also romantic but more practical.
Five things in an ideal partner:
Mutual respect, honesty (being able to share anything with each other), a strong friendship, having fun together and sharing similar family values.