Kriti Sanon recalls losing films to star kids before Mimi: Beyond my control

Actor Kriti Sanon said roles she nearly landed eventually went to star kids during her early years in films. Her experience reflected the uncertainty, bias and unequal treatment she faced as an outsider.

In Short

• Kriti Sanon said she missed out on roles early in her career
• She recalled experiencing frustration before Mimi due to limited opportunities
• The actor will be seen in the upcoming film Cocktail 2

Actor Kriti Sanon has spoken about the uncertainty and frustration she faced in the early years of her career, saying that some roles she came very close to eventually went to star kids. In a recent interview, she reflected on entering the film industry without a film background and said the lack of connections made the journey more difficult.

Her comments come amid continuing conversations around nepotism and unequal opportunities in Hindi cinema. Kriti said the period before films such as Mimi (2021) was marked by confusion, failed choices and the feeling that she was capable of more but was not getting the right opportunities.

Early struggles and missed roles

In a conversation with GQ, Kriti 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."

"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," she continued.

The actor said there was also a period when several projects did not make the impact she had hoped for. According to the actor, some career choices turned out to be mistakes, and that left her feeling stuck professionally at a time when “nothing was working”. She described those years as confusing, but also important in helping her understand the kind of cinema and roles she wanted to pursue.

Kriti said setbacks often teach more than success. She explained that difficult experiences gave her clarity, pushed her to make more thoughtful decisions and strengthened her perspective as an actor.

Negotiating fees as a female lead

In the same interview, Kriti also spoke about inequalities beyond casting. She said negotiating fees as a female lead continues to be a challenge. The actor expressed that when producers need to cut costs, it is often the woman actor’s pay that is reduced, even when a large share of the budget goes to the male lead.

She also said such decisions point to a deeper imbalance in the industry. Kriti noted that biases can appear in subtle ways on film sets, including a tendency to ensure the female actor is ready first so the male actor does not have to wait. She described this as subconscious but telling.

Kriti said it was not always easy to speak up in the early years of her career. She recalled that a male co-actor at a similar level once received better facilities. The Do Patti star said the issue was not about the car itself but about being respected equally.

Upcoming project

She is now gearing up for Cocktail 2, directed by Homi Adajania. The film, which also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Shahid Kapoor, is scheduled to release on June 19.

- Ends