Kriti Sanon has opened up about the struggles she faced during the early years of her Bollywood career. The actress revealed that despite coming close to landing several big roles, many eventually went to star kids. Her candid comments have once again sparked conversations around nepotism and unequal opportunities in the Hindi film industry.
Today, Kriti is among Bollywood’s most successful self-made stars, but the journey was far from easy. In a recent interview, the actress admitted there was a phase when she felt frustrated, professionally stuck and unsure about her future in films. She said the lack of industry connections made things even more difficult for outsiders trying to survive in Bollywood.
Kriti Sanon Opens Up About Losing Roles To Star Kids
Speaking to GQ, Kriti Sanon reflected on the difficult phase before the success of Mimi changed her career trajectory.
She said, “Before Mimi, I went through phases of frustration, wanting to do more – knowing I was capable of more, but lacked opportunities. There were roles I came very close to that eventually went to star kids, something that was beyond my control.”
The actress further explained how uncertainty becomes a constant challenge when someone enters Bollywood without a film background. Kriti added, “When you don’t come from a film background, there’s a great amount of uncertainty you have to deal with. It has been a process of gradual growth, with me taking risks and making more intentional choices. I have earned every opportunity; nothing has been handed to me.”
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Kriti Says Career Setbacks Changed Her Perspective
Kriti Sanon also admitted that several films and career decisions did not work out the way she expected. According to the actress, there was a period when “nothing was working” professionally, leaving her confused about her choices and future direction.
However, Kriti believes those setbacks ultimately helped her grow both personally and professionally. She explained that difficult experiences gave her clarity about the kind of films and characters she truly wanted to pursue.
The actress added that failures often teach more valuable lessons than success. Over time, those struggles pushed her to make smarter and more intentional career decisions.
Kriti Sanon Speaks About Gender Pay Gap In Bollywood
Apart from nepotism, Kriti also addressed gender inequality in Bollywood during the interview. The actress revealed that fee negotiations for female leads remain a major challenge in the industry.
According to Kriti, when producers look to reduce budgets, it is often the actress’s pay that gets cut first, while large amounts continue being spent on male stars. She also pointed out that subtle biases still exist on film sets.
The actress recalled a situation from her early career when a male co-actor at a similar professional level received better facilities. Kriti clarified that the issue was never about luxury, but about equal respect and treatment.
Actress Gears Up For Cocktail 2
After establishing herself with films like Mimi and Do Patti, Kriti Sanon is now preparing for her next big project, Cocktail 2.
Directed by Homi Adajania, the film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Shahid Kapoor. The much-awaited sequel is scheduled to release on June 19.
