Kriti Sanon’s story is one of remarkable transformation. Once an engineering student, she’s now a National Award-winning actress. This article explores her experiences as an outsider in Bollywood and her journey to feeling like she truly belongs. We’ll also see how Shah Rukh Khan, a fellow outsider who made it big, inspires her.

The Outsider’s Journey

For over nine years, Kriti has navigated the glamorous yet challenging world of Bollywood. She acknowledges that newcomers, regardless of background, face unique pressures. Her debut film, “Heropanti,” alongside Tiger Shroff (son of Jackie Shroff) marked the beginning. While Tiger faced comparisons to his famous father, Kriti craved recognition for her talent. She believes talent is what truly matters in the end.

Struggle And Success

As an outsider, Kriti initially struggled to be recognized for herself. People often referred to her as “the girl from Tiger Shroff’s film.” This was frustrating, but she persevered. The initial years were tough, but her determination paid off. Gradually, she went from feeling like an outsider to a true insider – a testament to her resilience.

“Yes, as an outsider, it takes time for people to know your name and associate it with your appearance. People used to say, ‘Arey vo Tiger Shroff ki film mein aayi thi’. The children of Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, my Bareilly Ki Barfi director, used to refer to me as ‘Tiger Didi’. When you come from a non-film background, it takes some time for people to recognize who you are, but if you persevere, you will begin to feel like an insider. You have a corpus of work that demonstrates why you are here.”

Learning From The King

Kriti’s journey intersected with Shah Rukh Khan, another outsider who became a superstar when they co-starred in “Dilwale.” SRK’s story reflects the ongoing debate about outsiders in Bollywood. His success as a self-made star deeply inspires Kriti. Working with him allowed her to witness firsthand the power of talent and hard work, regardless of one’s background.

“Shah Rukh Khan is an absolute outsider and the best example of this insider-outsider debate that we keep having because it doesn’t matter eventually (referring to being an outsider in Bollywood).”

A Story Of Inspiration

Kriti Sanon’s story represents the dynamic nature of Bollywood. As she continues to shine, she pays tribute to trailblazers like Shah Rukh Khan who break barriers and redefine success. The path for outsiders may not be easy, but the rewards are undeniable.