Kriti Sanon: The National Award Winner, Bollywood’s New Bankable Star, and Skincare Entrepreneur
Kriti Sanon’s journey in the Indian film industry is a powerful testament to talent, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of versatility. Breaking into the highly competitive world of Bollywood as an ‘outsider’ from an engineering background, she has successfully carved out a niche, evolving from a glamorous debutante into a National Film Award-winning actress and a savvy entrepreneur. Her career trajectory, especially marked by the sensational successes of 2024 and an enviable lineup of upcoming projects, solidifies her position as one of the most bankable and dynamic stars of her generation.
The Resurgence of a Star: 2024’s Blockbuster Reign
After a decade in the industry, 2024 proved to be a pivotal year, re-establishing Kriti Sanon’s commercial might at the box office with two back-to-back major hits.
The Sci-Fi Romance Hit: Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya
Her first major release of the year, the sci-fi romantic comedy Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (TBMUAJ), paired her opposite Shahid Kapoor. The film was a significant commercial success, where Kriti delivered a standout performance as Sifra, a highly advanced humanoid robot. Critics and audiences alike praised her nuanced portrayal of a character that required her to balance robotic stiffness with human-like charm, proving her ability to excel in unique, high-concept roles.
The Heist Comedy Sensation: Crew
Following TBMUAJ, Kriti co-starred in the female-led heist comedy Crew alongside industry veterans Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tabu. The film, which follows the misadventures of three airline cabin crew members, emerged as a massive box office hit. Kriti’s performance showcased her impeccable comic timing and ability to hold her own alongside established stars, further cementing her as an actress capable of delivering box office numbers.
Career-Defining Milestone: The National Award for Mimi
While her 2024 releases highlighted her commercial appeal, her artistic zenith remains her performance in the 2021 comedy-drama, Mimi. The film, in which she played a small-town girl who agrees to be a surrogate mother for a foreign couple, was lauded for its emotional depth and sensitive handling of a complex subject.
In a monumental moment for her career, Kriti Sanon was conferred the National Film Award for Best Actress at the 69th National Film Awards for her titular role in Mimi. She jointly won the prestigious award with Alia Bhatt (for Gangubai Kathiawadi). This recognition, widely regarded as the most distinguished honour in Indian cinema, validated her dedication to her craft and officially elevated her to the league of the country’s finest performers. To prepare for the role, Kriti famously gained 15 kilograms of weight, a testament to her commitment to method acting.
The Exciting Slate: Kriti Sanon’s Upcoming Films
Kriti Sanon’s future filmography is perhaps the most talked-about aspect of her career, boasting a genre-spanning list of high-profile projects that underscore her current demand and versatility.
Don 3: The Final Chapter
One of the biggest announcements in recent times is her casting as the female lead in the highly anticipated action-thriller, Don 3: The Final Chapter, opposite Ranveer Singh. Stepping into a major franchise is a clear sign of her star power, and her role is expected to be a significant, action-oriented one.
Tere Ishk Mein
She is set to star in the romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein, directed by Aanand L Rai and co-starring South superstar Dhanush. This film, which wrapped shooting recently, is highly anticipated, marking a reunion with the director of Raajhanaa and is slated for a late 2025 release.
Cocktails 2 and No Entry 2
Kriti is also part of two major comedy sequels: Cocktail 2 (with Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna) and the ensemble comedy No Entry 2 (with Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoor). These projects will allow her to showcase her proven strength in the light-hearted, commercial genre.
Do Patti: The Producer’s Hat
Beyond acting, Kriti has ventured into production by launching her own production house, Blue Butterfly Films, in 2023. Her maiden production, the thriller film Do Patti, is a major highlight, in which she also plays a double role and co-stars with veteran actress Kajol.
An Engineer-Turned-Entrepreneur: The Business of Kriti
Kriti Sanon is more than just an actress; she is a shrewd businesswoman with multiple successful ventures that extend her influence beyond the silver screen.
- Hyphen (Skincare Brand): Launched in 2023 in partnership with PEP Technologies (parent company of mCaffeine), Hyphen is her direct-to-consumer (D2C) skincare brand. The brand’s philosophy is to ‘hyphenate’ the best of nature with science to deliver effective and affordable products, and it reportedly achieved a massive valuation of ₹100 crore within its first year of launch. Kriti serves as the Co-founder and Chief Customer Officer, actively involved in the product testing and development.
- The Tribe (Fitness Startup): Co-founded in 2022, The Tribe is a fitness startup offering virtual workshops and diet-specific plans, born from her own post-Mimi weight loss journey during the pandemic.
- Ms. Taken (Clothing Line): She also continues her association with her clothing line, Ms. Taken, launched earlier in her career, demonstrating an interest in fashion entrepreneurship.
The Lady Behind the Stardom: Early Life and Style
Born on July 27, 1990, Kriti Sanon hails from a non-filmy, middle-class Punjabi family in New Delhi; her father, Rahul Sanon, is a Chartered Accountant, and her mother, Geeta Sanon, is a Physics professor at Delhi University. A surprising fact for many is her academic background: she holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida.
Before making her acting debut in the Telugu film 1: Nenokkadine (2014) and her Bollywood debut with Heropanti (2014), she worked briefly as a model and walked the ramp at various fashion weeks. This modeling experience has heavily influenced her current status as a fashion icon.
Kriti’s style is often defined by its versatility, effortlessly moving between traditional Indian ensembles (like the ethereal sarees and lehengas she often sports at events) and chic, modern Western outfits. Her red-carpet looks are consistently hailed for their elegance, and she has become a favourite for designers who appreciate her tall, statuesque physique and fearless approach to experimenting with colours, textures, and silhouettes.
In conclusion, Kriti Sanon’s career is a masterclass in strategic choices—balancing critical acclaim with commercial success and expanding her brand into entrepreneurial ventures. With a National Award in her hand and a slate full of potential blockbusters, Kriti Sanon is not just an actress anymore; she is a powerhouse brand shaping the future of Indian cinema and business.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: For which film did Kriti Sanon win the National Award?
Kriti Sanon won the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actress at the 69th National Film Awards for her performance in the 2021 film Mimi, a comedy-drama where she played the role of a surrogate mother.
Q2: What is Kriti Sanon’s educational background?
Kriti Sanon is a highly educated actress. She holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida.
Q3: What are Kriti Sanon’s major entrepreneurial ventures?
Kriti Sanon has successfully launched several businesses. Her main ventures include:
- Hyphen: A direct-to-consumer (D2C) skincare brand that combines the power of nature and science.
- The Tribe: A fitness startup that provides virtual workouts, workshops, and diet plans.
- Blue Butterfly Films: Her own film production company, under which she produced her first film, Do Patti.
Q4: Which are Kriti Sanon’s most anticipated upcoming movies?
Her upcoming slate includes some of the biggest projects in Bollywood, such as Don 3: The Final Chapter opposite Ranveer Singh, the romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein with Dhanush, and the ensemble comedy sequels Cocktail 2 and No Entry 2.
Q5: What were Kriti Sanon’s biggest box office hits in 2024?
In 2024, Kriti Sanon delivered two major box office successes: Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, a sci-fi romantic comedy where she played a robot, and the female-led heist comedy, Crew.
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