Kriti Sanon opens up about instinct-led choices, evolving ambition, and staying real in the spotlight

From her debut in Heropanti to her current status as one of Hindi cinema’s it-girls, Kriti Sanon’s journey has been defined by her range and powerful performances. Whether it was the spirited Bitti in Bareilly Ki Barfi, the strong performance in her National Award–winning turn in Mimi, or her portrayal of flawed characters like Mukti in Do Patti, Sanon has consistently proven her ability to transition between mass entertainers and critically acclaimed cinema with ease. Off-screen, she mirrors the ambition of her contemporaries like Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif, as she stepped into entrepreneurship with her beauty brand Hyphen, while continuing to push herself creatively as an actor. Grounded despite the spotlight, Sanon credits her instincts, her close-knit circle of family and friends as her anchors. In this one-on-one with Sanon, she bares it all to Harper’s Bazaar India.

Harper’s Bazaar: From debuting in Heropanti to now becoming one of Hindi cinema’s leading actresses, how has your journey shaped your perspective on fame?

Kriti Sanon: I don't think I was ever chasing fame; I am always chasing excellence in whatever I do. That's how I have been since childhood. When people truly connect with my work and feel moved by my performance, that appreciation brings me more joy than fame ever could. Adulation for the work I do as an artist really fuels me, and I look forward to the reaction of my audiences to the characters that I play.

I feel, in the age of social media, it doesn't take too much to become famous; anybody can be famous. What is important is what people are going to remember me for, especially when you are in an art form like acting, where you really can make people feel something—you can make them laugh, cry, and forget their stresses. And that gives me happiness.

HB: There’s often a lot of speculation about an actor’s next move. What’s the most important thing for you when choosing a film role?

KS: I don't think a lot about what my next move should be, because there is constant noise about trends and what’s “working” keeps changing. But, for me, it's important to keep evolving and getting better. You need to find something that challenges you, takes you to the next level, and makes you push your boundaries. I look forward to playing scenes before which I have sleepless nights and can feel anxiety in my chest about how I would play it. 

Of course, you don’t get that in every movie. Sometimes films like Crew come along where it's all fun, but you connect to it and want to be a part of it. 

Sometimes, it also depends on what I am feeling at that point. For instance, every time I do an intense film like Tere Ishq Mein, which challenges me emotionally, physically, and mentally—not only as an actor but also as a human being—something like a Cocktail 2 comes my way and I take it instantly. It’s not only because the story is great, fresh, and entertaining but also because I have been drained of all my emotions and depth, and I want to do something fun and light. 

It's important for me to keep switching and not doing the same genre or kind of characters over and over again. 

So, I gauge what I am craving at that moment and pick a film.

HB: As a woman in the spotlight, your image is often scrutinised. How do you stay grounded and maintain authenticity in an industry that sometimes places pressure on you to conform?

KS: Being in the spotlight means everything is constantly observed, from what you wear to how you show up on days when you’re tired or not feeling your best. But you still smile and give that moment to fans and paparazzi, and I’ve come to accept that as part of the job. But apart from that, what keeps me grounded is staying true to who I am and not trying to be someone else.

We act enough in front of cameras, and I don't have it in me to keep up the act in life. Staying real and being surrounded by real people is very important. I keep my circle small and value having honest, real people around me rather than those who only show up during good times. Being with my family and living with them keeps me grounded. Above all, I try to stay as real and authentic as possible.

HB: Has being in the industry made you more self-conscious about the way you’re perceived? Or has it given you more confidence to express yourself?

KS: I have never been conscious about the way I am perceived. I prefer being my authentic self. While I don’t feel the need to have an opinion on everything, I’ve learned to be mindful of what I say, especially in a world where words can be easily misinterpreted. That sense of responsibility matters to me, even as I remain honest and expressive about what I feel.

Also, I have never been comfortable being told how to behave online or what image I should project, even when it’s framed as strategy or trends. I follow my instinct, sharing what feels true to me in the moment, not what’s currently popular. Authenticity, for me, always comes before conformity.

HB: How has the person you were when you first started in Bollywood evolved? What have been the defining moments in your personal growth?

KS: When I first started in Bollywood, I was quite lost. I'm an ambivert, so I take time to open up, but when you find your space and discover your craft, you begin to understand yourself as a person and gain more confidence. It gives you a sense that you're growing, and that’s important for me.

Considering I didn’t have any kind of training or theatre background when I started off, I think I have grown as an actor and as a person. I've become better at communicating and open up a lot more easily to people. 

I’m still not great at small talk and remain a fairly private person, and that core part of me hasn’t changed. But over time, I have gained confidence and opened up. I have also learnt that there are many perspectives and no single right way, and that has shaped both my work and who I am.

HB: You’ve spoken in past interviews about your love for learning. Are there new hobbies, passions, or skills you’re exploring off-screen right now?

KS: I love learning, but unfortunately, I always need some incentive to learn something new. When I'm on a set, I like being an observer and trying to learn different things and make myself better. I always feel like I'm a bit naive, and that keeps me on my toes. 

I'm often critical of myself and second-guessing what I'm doing, but that's only because a part of me always feels that I can do better, and that pushes me. Like, I never thought I would create a brand of my own, but it has been a learning curve, and that really excites me. 

Apart from that, I have not had the time for hobbies, though there are a lot of things on my to-do list. I would love to learn belly dancing, pole dancing, pottery, and play the piano. 

HB: Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the constant spotlight? How do you deal with online criticism or trolling?

KS: I don't feel overwhelmed by the constant spotlight. I have not had a lot of online criticism and trolling, but I'm not the kind of person who lets it go to my heart, unless it's something deeply personal. I very rarely read comments on Instagram but if I find someone extremely negative on social media, I just block them. I don't have space for any kind of negative energy around me. 

I have understood and accepted that you cannot please everyone in life and that no matter what I do, some people may not love some of my performances. This motto keeps me grounded. 

I’ve never been very social, and while early on I felt the need to be everywhere, that phase has passed. Now it’s about conserving energy, avoiding burnout, and choosing what truly matters.

HB: How much of your family’s support has played a role in keeping you grounded through your rise in fame?

KS: I think my family has been my biggest support during my journey. It's very easy to lose yourself in this industry, but they ground me and have helped me hold on to who I truly am. At home, I am Kriti and unlike everyone around who may hype me up, my family criticises me when they need to, and that is the biggest reality check. They are with you in your highs but they are also really with you in your lows. They keep me sane and real.

HB: Bollywood has always been a reflection of societal changes. Do you think your choice of films or characters reflects the shift in India’s cultural landscape? How do you balance the commercial pressures of the industry with your desire to take on roles that truly challenge you? 

KS: Bollywood has been a reflection of societal changes. Films and roles, especially for women, have changed and reflect what people are feeling and how society is changing. 

Though I feel that in the 80s and 90s, there were a lot of really strong female roles. There have been many phases in Hindi cinema where women have driven films and audiences have shown up for them—from legends like Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, and Meena Kumari. The 2000s saw a shift towards more male-centric narratives, but that’s changing again, with women demanding and choosing more substantial roles.

Earlier, female characters were often written through a male gaze—idealised, flawless, and meant to be rescued. Today, there’s a welcome move towards writing women as complex and imperfect, which feels far more real. That’s what draws me to characters like Mukti in Do Patti or the women in Crew—they’re flawed, strong-headed, and not meant to be judged, just understood. Moving away from gender labels and focusing on character is a shift that can subtly influence how people think, and that excites me as an actor.

HB: Looking at the industry today, where do you see the evolution of Bollywood in the next five years? What changes would you want to see happen?

KS: After COVID and after OTT platforms came up, there is so much content that's available across languages, across countries for people to watch. Films and theatres are not driven by stars and actors anymore; they are driven by content. It has to be exciting for people to step out of their homes and go to the theatre and spend money to watch a film. Mediocrity is not working anymore and that's a positive change. 

Over the next five years, people will have to think of something new, something quirky, something different that they offer to the audiences. I would also definitely like to see female-driven films being written in greater numbers, and being produced at the scale that male-driven film is produced at, a female-driven film getting a good enough budget that their male counterparts would get. A film like that will get box office returns and shatter certain glass ceilings and opinions. Hopefully, the expectation of a film doing well will not depend on who the lead is, and that will be a refreshing change.

For a long time, female roles in male-led films have largely existed to support the male narrative rather than lead it. I’d love to see more A-list men take on smaller roles in women-led stories, as is common in the West, choosing projects for the strength of the story rather than scale. That kind of shift would go a long way in supporting better, more balanced storytelling.

Kriti is wearing a metallic polo dress by Tory Burch (@toryburch) and nightcap pumps by Steve Madden (@stevemaddenindia).
 

Editor: Rasna Bhasin (@rasnabhasin)

Interview: Sonal Ved (@sonalved)

Creative Direction & Styling: Anaita Shroff Adajania (@anaitashroffadajania)

Photographer: Amer Mohamad (@@shootmeamer)

Cover Design: Mandeep Singh Khokhar (@mandy_khokhar19)

Make-up Artist: Anil Chinnappa (@anilc68) 

Hair Artist: Flavien Heldt; Agency, Faze Management (@fazemanagement)

Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)

Line Producer: Salim Memon (@lineproducer)

Assistant Stylist: Neona Bahri (@neonasanjaybahri), Anaheeta Appoo (@anaheeta_a)