Sanya Malhotra, born on February 25, 1992, in Delhi, India, is a prominent Indian actress known for her versatile roles in Hindi cinema. Her journey from a dance enthusiast in Delhi to a celebrated actress in Bollywood is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and versatility. She gained widespread recognition with her debut in the blockbuster film “Dangal” (2016) and has since established herself as a talented and dynamic performer in the industry.
Sanya Malhotra Personal, Family Details
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Sanya Malhotra |
| Date of Birth | February 25, 1992 |
| Age | 32 years (as of February 2025) |
| Parents’ Names | Sunil Malhotra (father), Renu Malhotra (mother) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 2016–present |
| Alma Mater | Gargi College, University of Delhi |
| Debut Film | Dangal (2016) |
| Notable Films | Dangal, Badhaai Ho, Photograph, Ludo, Shakuntala Devi, Pagglait, Jawan |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 50 kg (110 lbs) |
Early Life
Sanya Malhotra was born on 25 February 1992 in Delhi. Trained as a ballet dancer and an actor in various theatre plays, she first made her Bollywood debut with Nitesh Tiwari’s biographical sports film Dangal in 2016. Playing Geeta and Babita Kumari from Mahavir Singh Phogat, this blockbuster garnered many awards and appreciation from viewers worldwide.
Following her success in Dangal, Sanya made a return to cinematic flicks in 2018 when she appeared alongside Radhika Madan in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Patakha film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and based on Charan Singh’s short story Do Behnen; to prepare for their roles Sanya and Radhika had to meet real inspirations behind their characters for better understanding them onscreen.
In 2020, Sanya made her film debut in Ludo alongside Abhishek Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Rajkummar Rao, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Pankaj Tripathi and Pearle Maaney. Additionally, she appeared alongside Vidya Balan for Vidya Balan’s biopic film Shakuntala Devi as Vidya Devi’s sister Shakuntala Devi. Sanya has an affinity for drama and often portrays strong-willed roles such as her depiction in Patakha was widely acclaimed critically; portrayal of strong-headed roles such as Patakha garnered much praise and appreciation from viewers worldwide.
Career
Sanya Malhotra has recently ventured into digital media as well, garnering praise for her performance as widow Pagglait on Netflix Original Film Pagglait and being named Filmfare OTT actress of the Year for 2021. Furthermore, her multifaceted role as Mrs. Kaar in 2024 film Mrs. Kaar delighted audiences.
Recently, actor Sanya joined singer Sunidhi Chauhan for her new music video Aakh. This track shows them dancing dazzlingly to its captivating beats; visually impressive results can be found. Sanya donned bold clothing while exuding strength and confidence throughout.
Prateeksha Srivastava, Aman Khare and Paush Kumar collaborated on the composition, with choreography being provided by Piyush Bhagat and Shazia Samji. Sanya has long been a fan of Sunidhi Chauhan and recently posted about this in her social media posts.
Sanya Malhotra is an accomplished dancer who has participated in Dance India Dance as an active contestant. As a youth icon and brand endorser, Sanya regularly wows her Instafam with dance reels that regularly impress them! Additionally, Sanya also plays sitar and has performed for former US President Joe Biden!
Popular Movies
Following the success of “Dangal,” Sanya continued to choose diverse roles that highlighted her versatility:
- Pataakha (2018): Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, this film featured Sanya as one of two feuding sisters in rural India. Her portrayal was lauded for its authenticity and depth.
- Badhaai Ho (2018): A comedy-drama where she played the love interest of Ayushmann Khurrana’s character. The film dealt with the societal implications of unexpected parenthood in a middle-aged couple and was both a critical and commercial success.
- Photograph (2019): In this romantic drama, Sanya played Miloni, a shy and introverted woman who forms an unusual bond with a street photographer. Her nuanced performance earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.
- Shakuntala Devi (2020): Portraying Anupama Banerji, the daughter of the mathematical genius Shakuntala Devi, Sanya showcased the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship. The film was released on a streaming platform and received positive reviews.
- Ludo (2020): An ensemble black comedy directed by Anurag Basu, where Sanya’s performance was appreciated, leading to another Filmfare Critics Award nomination.
- Pagglait (2021): Sanya took on the role of a young widow navigating her way through societal expectations and personal grief. The film was praised for its sensitive portrayal of complex emotions.
- Love Hostel (2022): A crime thriller that further showcased her ability to delve into intense and challenging roles.
- Kathal (2023): In this satirical comedy, Sanya’s performance was lauded, earning her a Filmfare OTT Award.
- Jawan (2023): Featuring in a supporting role in this action-packed film, Sanya was part of a project that ranks among the highest-grossing Indian films.
- Sam Bahadur (2023): A biopic where she played a significant role, adding to her repertoire of diverse characters.
Latest News
Sanya Malhotra has been actively involved in various film projects. In 2023, she starred in the Netflix satirical film “Kathal,” where she played a small-town cop in pursuit of a missing jackfruit. She also appeared in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Jawan” and the biopic “Sam Bahadur,” portraying the wife of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
Sanya Malhotra has won both audiences and critics over with her performance in Patakha. Her natural acting style has won praise, cementing her place among some of Bollywood’s finest actors.
Sanya Malhotra is currently gearing up for the release of her film ‘Mrs’, a remake of Malayalam movie ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ that explores rampant sexism in Indian households. Sanya has received immense acclaim for playing Richa in this film and recently spoke openly about working on it.
While speaking with HT City, she revealed that she doesn’t plan on getting married, and would continue with her career if asked by someone. Additionally, she disproved any rumors of dating sitarist Rishabh Sharma.
On the beauty front, Sanya displayed a minimal makeup look that enhanced her green dress-wearing OOTD. She chose a dewy base with some highlighter dabbing for added dimension on high points of cheeks and peach tinted lipstick as an accent in a striking shade that completed the overall aesthetics of her ensemble. Sanya completed her ensemble by accessorizing with sleek bangles and small bindis.
Controversies
In a candid interview, Sanya Malhotra shared her experiences with harassment. She recounted an incident in Delhi where she was harassed by a group of boys on the metro, and another in Mumbai where a fan touched her inappropriately while taking a photo. She expressed her disappointment that bystanders did not come to her aid during these incidents.
Brand Endorsements
Sanya’s rising popularity and relatable persona have made her a sought-after choice for brand endorsements:
Fastrack: In August 2022, Sanya became the face of Fastrack’s watches category. The brand aimed to resonate with the youth through her vibrant and dynamic image.
Joy Personal Care: In November 2023, she was announced as the brand ambassador for Joy Personal Care’s moisturizing category. The association emphasized natural beauty and skincare, aligning with Sanya’s authentic appeal.
10 Lesser-Known Facts About Sanya Malhotra
- Dance Background: Before entering Bollywood, Sanya Malhotra was a trained contemporary and ballet dancer.
- “Dance India Dance” Audition: She auditioned for the dance reality show “Dance India Dance” but did not make it to the final rounds.
- Weight Gain for “Dangal”: Malhotra gained weight for her role in “Dangal” to accurately portray a wrestler.
- Method Acting Approach: She reportedly immersed herself in the world of wrestling, including training and interacting with wrestlers, to prepare for her role in “Dangal.”
- Passion for Reading: Malhotra is an avid reader and enjoys exploring different genres of literature.
- Fitness Enthusiast: She maintains a healthy lifestyle and is often seen practicing yoga and other forms of exercise.
- Animal Lover: Malhotra is known to be an animal lover and often shares pictures of her pets on social media.
- Minimal Social Media Presence: Compared to many other Bollywood actors, Malhotra maintains a relatively low-key presence on social media.
- Independent Spirit: She has often chosen to work on independent films and explore diverse roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
- Focus on Craft: Malhotra is known for her dedication to her craft and her willingness to experiment with different roles and genres.
FAQs About Sanya Malhotra
Q. What inspired Sanya Malhotra to pursue a career in acting?
She was inspired by Bollywood films and theater performances she watched while growing up in Delhi. Her love for performing arts and dance naturally led her to acting.
Q. Did Sanya Malhotra receive formal acting training before entering Bollywood?
No, she did not undergo formal acting training but honed her skills through theater and workshops in Delhi before moving to Mumbai.
Q. What challenges did she face while moving from Delhi to Mumbai?
She struggled with rejections in auditions and initially faced financial difficulties before getting her big break in “Dangal.”
Q. Did Sanya Malhotra work in any job before becoming an actress?
Yes, she worked as a background dancer and assisted in choreography while auditioning for acting roles.
Q. What was Sanya Malhotra’s first audition in Bollywood?
Her first major audition was for “Dangal,” where she competed against thousands of hopefuls before being selected for the role of Babita Phogat.
Q. Has Sanya Malhotra ever directed or worked behind the camera?
Yes, she has expressed an interest in filmmaking and has assisted in choreography. She aspires to explore direction in the future.
Q. Which international film or series would Sanya Malhotra love to work in?
She has mentioned her admiration for Hollywood films and would love to work in a Christopher Nolan or Greta Gerwig project.
Q. What is Sanya Malhotra’s dream role?
She has expressed her desire to play a historical figure or an action-packed role that challenges her physically and mentally.
Q. Is Sanya Malhotra multilingual?
Apart from Hindi and English, she understands Punjabi and a bit of Marathi, which she picked up while living in Mumbai.
Q. What is her approach to preparing for challenging roles?
She immerses herself in research, undergoes physical transformations when needed, and often observes real-life personalities to bring authenticity to her characters.
Q. Has Sanya Malhotra ever rejected a Bollywood film?
Yes, she has turned down a few projects that did not align with her artistic vision or lacked meaningful storytelling.
Q. What is Sanya Malhotra’s favorite film that she has acted in?
She has often mentioned that “Pagglait” holds a special place in her heart due to its strong emotional narrative.
Q. Does Sanya Malhotra have any hidden talents?
Besides acting and dancing, she enjoys painting and sketching as a creative hobby.
Q. Which Bollywood actors does she admire the most?
She looks up to actors like Tabu, Irrfan Khan, and Vidya Balan for their versatility and acting skills.
Q. What kind of roles does Sanya Malhotra want to explore in the future?
She is interested in sci-fi films, period dramas, and roles that require intense physical training, such as martial arts-based characters.
Q. Has Sanya Malhotra ever performed her own stunts?
Yes, she performed some of her own wrestling stunts in “Dangal” after undergoing rigorous training.
Q. What kind of music does Sanya Malhotra enjoy?
She enjoys a mix of Bollywood classics, indie music, and international pop, and she is a big fan of AR Rahman’s compositions.
Q. What social causes is Sanya Malhotra passionate about?
She supports gender equality, mental health awareness, and animal welfare.
Q. Does Sanya Malhotra follow a strict diet for her roles?
She maintains a balanced diet but does not follow extreme restrictions, preferring to focus on fitness through yoga and strength training.
Q. What is Sanya Malhotra’s dream collaboration in Bollywood?
She hopes to work with directors like Zoya Akhtar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Anurag Kashyap in the future.
