Kriti Kharbanda: Career Highlights, Awards and Marriage

Kriti Kharbanda is an actress whose career spans Telugu, Kannada and Hindi cinema. Her journey stands out because she did not originally plan to enter films. Here is an overview of her early life, career milestones, notable films, awards and personal life.

Early life and entry into modelling

Kriti Kharbanda was born on October 29, 1990, in Delhi. After completing school, she obtained a diploma in jewellery designing. She began working in advertisements early in life and appeared in an ice cream commercial as a child. She later pursued modelling and was seen in advertisements for multiple brands.

The moment that changed her career

While completing her studies and modelling, Kriti appeared on an advertisement hoarding for a supermarket chain in Chennai, according to her interview. Filmmaker Raj Pippala noticed the photograph while searching for a new actress for his Telugu film. His team contacted her and asked her to audition.

Audition and first film

Kriti initially believed the offer might be a joke. After reaching Hyderabad, she understood the filmmaker was serious. She was selected from approximately 150 candidates and, after consulting her family, accepted the role. Her debut film, the Telugu movie Boni, released in 2009 and co-starred Sumanth.

South Indian film career

In 2010, she debuted in Kannada cinema with Chirru. She continued to work steadily in Telugu and Kannada films. The 2013 Kannada film Googly, co-starring Yash, became an important step in her career and led to several new offers in South cinema.

Bollywood debut and breakthrough

Kriti entered Hindi films in 2016 with Raaz Reboot, starring Emraan Hashmi. Her real breakthrough with Hindi audiences came in 2017 with Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, in which she played Aarti Shukla. Her performance was well received, and many people began calling her by the character's name.

Notable Hindi films

Her Hindi filmography includes Guest iin London, Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, Housefull 4, Pagalpanti, Taish and 14 Phere. These films showcased her range across different kinds of roles.

Awards and recognition

In 2015, Kriti received the Best Actress (Critics) award at the South Indian International Movie Awards for the Kannada film Super Rangaa. In 2019, she was honoured as Most Stylish Rising Star at the Lokmat Stylish Awards. In 2020, she won the Best Actress in a Comic Role award at the Lions Gold Awards for Housefull 4.

Personal life

Kriti married actor Pulkit Samrat on March 15, 2024. The couple met while working together on a film. Their friendship gradually developed into love, leading to their marriage.