Kriti Sanon’s No-Nonsense Mantra: “No Free Lunches in Bollywood”
At CNN-News18’s SheShakti 2025, the actor-producer encouraged aspiring artists from non-filmi backgrounds to stay passionate, patient, and resilient to rise in the industry.
At News18’s SheShakti 2025 conclave in Delhi, Bollywood’s versatile talent Kriti Sanon delivered a powerful message to hopeful actors navigating the film industry’s steep terrain—especially those without legacy ties.
“There are no shortcuts. Nothing comes easy, and there are no free lunches,” she asserted, capturing the core of her message. Sanon stressed that unwavering passion and perseverance are the true currencies in Bollywood’s competitive world.
Addressing the realities faced by outsiders, she candidly acknowledged: “There will be times when nobody hands you anything on a platter. People will question your dream, your looks… you’re too short, too tall, too thin.” Yet her advice was unequivocal—don’t internalize that negativity. “People will tell you what’s wrong with you—but only you can affirm that you can do it.”
Kriti elaborated on the virtue of patience, a scarce trait in an industry enthralled by overnight success myths. She encouraged aspirants to view delays as growth opportunities. “Be driven, passionate, and patient… maybe it’s taking long because you need that time to work on yourself… it’ll happen when the time is right, but you have to stay at it.”
Sanon’s own journey embodies the message she imparted. In 2024, she debuted as a producer with Do Patti, under her banner Blue Butterfly Films—a Netflix thriller that went on to become the most-watched Indian original of the year and earned critical acclaim for its storytelling.
Her career continues to flourish. She’s currently shooting the much-anticipated Tere Ishk Mein opposite Dhanush, directed by Aanand L. Rai, and has also begun work on Cocktail 2 under Homi Adajania’s direction, though the project remains under wraps.
More broadly, Sanon’s message resonates far beyond her personal story. To anyone who feels sidelined or underestimated—she emphasized that Bollywood rewards grit, not connections. Through honesty and determination, she affirmed, a dream delayed can still be a dream fulfilled.
