Speaking about her early struggles in interviews, Kriti said the toughest phase of her career was not rejection alone but the uncertainty that followed. There were months when audition calls stopped completely, leaving her questioning whether she had made the right decision to leave behind a conventional career path for acting.

The actor recalled that she often called her mother several times a day, breaking down over the lack of opportunities. She also spoke about the emotional setbacks she faced during her modelling days, including crying after her first professional photoshoot and again after being criticised during her debut ramp walk.

Kriti's story stands in contrast to the image of overnight success often associated with Bollywood. Today, she has established herself among the industry's leading actresses, won the National Film Award for Best Actress, delivered commercially successful films and launched her own production house. But, according to the actor, none of it came without prolonged periods of self-doubt and rejection.

Born in New Delhi on July 27, 1990, Kriti pursued Electronics and Communication Engineering at Jaypee Institute of Information Technology in Noida. She has said acting was never part of her original career plan. The turning point came during college when someone suggested she try modelling because of her height. What began as an experiment eventually led her to the entertainment industry.

Without a professional portfolio, Kriti's younger sister clicked her initial photographs, which were submitted for a fresh-face modelling contest. Winning that contest opened the doors to professional modelling assignments and eventually film auditions.

Her transition to Mumbai, however, proved far more challenging than expected. Living away from her family for the first time, managing a rented apartment and attending auditions became part of her daily routine. At the same time, she continued preparing for the GMAT as a backup plan, supported by parents who encouraged her to pursue her dream before considering other career options.

Kriti has admitted that entering Bollywood without industry connections made the journey significantly harder. She said she repeatedly auditioned for films, only to see several projects eventually go to actors from established film families or more familiar faces.

According to the actor, the waiting period between auditions was often more painful than rejection itself. There were stretches when no meetings or auditions came her way, leaving her feeling isolated in an industry where few people knew her name.

Despite making her acting debut with the Telugu film 1: Nenokkadine opposite Mahesh Babu and entering Hindi cinema with Heropanti, Kriti said stereotypes continued to follow her. She recalled being labelled as "just a model" and facing doubts about her acting abilities.

Those perceptions began to change with Bareilly Ki Barfi, where her portrayal of Bitti Mishra received widespread appreciation. Yet even after the film's success, Kriti revealed she remained without a film shoot for nearly 15 months, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the industry.

Her biggest breakthrough arrived with Mimi. According to Kriti, several people advised her against taking on the role of a surrogate mother at a relatively early stage of her career, warning that it could affect her glamorous image. She chose the script over those concerns, gaining weight for the role and investing months in preparing for the emotionally demanding character.

The decision proved pivotal. Mimi earned widespread critical acclaim, and Kriti won the National Film Award for Best Actress, a recognition she describes as the culmination of years spent battling rejection, uncertainty and preconceived notions about her capabilities.

Looking back, Kriti says she no longer regrets the difficult years. Instead, she believes every rejection helped build resilience and made her a stronger performer. She maintains that had success come easily, she may never have developed the confidence and determination that define her career today.

From an engineering student with no plans to enter films to one of Bollywood's most recognised performers, Kriti Sanon's journey reflects the persistence often required to succeed in an industry where talent alone does not always guarantee opportunity.