to be an actor, and were supportive as long as
I completed my degree, so that I would have
something to fall back on.What was your childhood like?
I was a shy, obedient, and studious kid. When we
had visitors, I used my mom’s dupatta as
a shield to hide behind. I loved dancing, and
my favourite song to dance to at all birthday
parties was Ankhiyaan Milaoon Kabhi Akhiyaan
Churaoon (Raja). Madhuri Dixit was a favourtie,
I loved to move on her numbers all the time.
I’m also a trained kathak dancer.Walk us through your initial days
in Mumbai.
My father was working in Mumbai a few years
ago, and I lived with him. I didn’t have friends in
the city and felt lonely, but that changed when
I made a few while modelling and doing ramp
shows. A few months later, my father moved back
home, and that’s when the loneliness reached its
peak. I’d randomly call mom and start crying. In
times like that it’s important to have a few people
you can fall back on, as they motivate, and make
you feel better.What was the biggest challenge you
faced in Bollywood as an outsider?
The number of opportunities reduces when you
do not have a famous surname. Even meeting
people presents a greater hassle for those without
connections. The most you can do is message
filmmakers and tell them you would like to meet
them, but, at times, they don’t even respond. It’s
challenging to figure out your first project as not
many people know you; it takes a while for the
audience to register your name. When you’re
a star kid, you are known well before your debut.
Some of them sign their second film before the
first one is even out. However, a lot depends on
how talented you are, and how people connect
with you on screen.After five years in the industry, do you
feel like you’re now a part of it?
I have worked with some amazing people, and
portrayed different characters. Heropanti gavehe may not have had Bollywood connections to
boast of, yet Kriti Sanon entered showbiz, and
proved her mettle with a series of successful
films. Tall at five feet nine inches, and gorgeous to
boot, Sanon began her career with modelling and
made heads turn with her debut in Heropanti, for
which she won the Fimfare Award for Best Female
Debut. Soon after that she captured the hearts
of filmmakers and fashion mavens alike, while
staying in complete control of her career, wowing
the audiences in films like Bareilly Ki Barfi, in
which she plays a headstrong girl from a small
town looking to better her life. A string of awards
followed as well, Filmfare Glamour and Style Award
for Future of Fashion (Female) in 2017 and HELLO!
Hall of Fame Award for Rising Star of the Year in- With a hit in Luka Chhupi this year, the
clever, bold, and spunky star is looking forward to
a few more releases. Over to her.
You were an engineering student. What
made you turn to showbiz?
Sometimes, you don’t know what you want to do
in life, unless you try it out. I hadn’t tried acting
before, but realised I could do so when I began
doing TV commercials. It was only when a few
of my directors suggested I polish my acting skills,
and try for films, that I thought maybe I’m meant
for this.Were your parents supportive of
the choice?
I come from a middle-class family—my dad’s
a chartered accountant, and mom is a professor.
Although my family members are academically
inclined, they believe that people should follow
their dreams. My parents always knew I wanted“THE NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES REDUCES,
WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE A FAMOUS SURNAME.”
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