Banita Sandhu
Banita Sandhu made waves in 2018 with her feature film debut in the Indian drama “October.” She achieved this while completing her studies at King’s College London. Born in Caerleon, Wales on June 22, 1997, Banita’s British Indian parents have Punjabi roots. Her acting career started at just 11 years old. Her breakthrough role earned her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Female Debut. Vogue India recognized her talent and named her “The Face to Watch Out For.”
Banita’s versatility shines through her performances in Hindi, Tamil, and English. Her impressive work ranges from major ad campaigns for Vodafone India and Wrigley’s gum to lead roles in the US science-fiction series “Pandora.” She delivered a powerful performance in the Hindi film “Sardar Udham,” which won Best Hindi Film of the Year. The year 2024 brought her Hollywood dreams to life with a role in the popular Netflix series “Bridgerton,” an achievement she calls a “dream come true.”
CEO’s | Actors | Politicians | Sports Stars
Banita’s career path keeps reaching new heights with exciting projects like the PAN India action movie “G2.” She retains control of her Bollywood presence while wanting to expand her horizons in different genres of Indian and Western cinema. Her determination shows in her quest to take on varied roles and establish herself as an international performer.
“I was diagnosed with depression, but now I have the tools to manage it.”
Early Life and Education
Where was Banita Sandhu born?
Welsh Roots: Banita Sandhu was born on June 22, 1997, in Caerleon, a small town in South Wales, United Kingdom. This charming Welsh town near Newport became the setting of her early years. Her path to stardom started far from the bright lights of cinema, in a mostly white community where her cultural identity became a key part of who she would become.
Early Childhood: Life in Caerleon brought its own set of challenges for Banita. Her Punjabi heritage made her stand out among her peers, even though Wales was her birthplace. This mix of cultures helped shape her identity and career path. She showed an early interest in performing arts that led her toward acting.
Banita Sandhu age and family background
Family Heritage: Banita’s Punjabi background comes from parents who kept their cultural traditions alive. Reports differ on whether her parents are first-generation or second-generation British Indians. They supported her acting dreams with one vital condition – she had to finish university first.
Cultural Identity: Now 26 years old (as of 2024), Banita speaks openly about growing up as a third-generation British Indian. “I struggled to fit into their version of what a British Asian girl is,” she once revealed in an interview with The Guardian. “As a third-generation British Indian, I’m not affected by problems like arranged marriages. That stereotype is from 30 years ago and that’s not where we are at now as a society”. Her family had no relatives in India, which made her later success in Bollywood even more remarkable.
Early Acting Aspirations: Banita’s love for acting started at a young age. She got her first agent at just 11 years old. Her father questioned her TV watching habits, but she had a ready answer about wanting to become an actress. This early focus hinted at the dedication she would bring to her career.
Studying at King’s College London
Academic Pursuit: Banita moved from Wales to London at 18 to start her higher education. King’s College London became her new home, where she studied English Literature with Film Studies. This choice aligned with her family’s values of education and creative pursuits.
Balancing Act: She excelled at juggling her studies with her budding acting career. Director Shoojit Sircar offered her the role of Shiuli Iyer in the Hindi-language film “October” opposite Bollywood star Varun Dhawan during her second year. This big break came while she was still a student, making her both a university student and a rising Bollywood actress.
Cultural Contrast: Her university days revealed interesting cultural differences. “On my English literature course, I am one of only three Asian girls and a few Middle Eastern girls and they are all super excited, but all my white friends were all: ‘Whatever.’ They didn’t get it until the trailer hit and when it got the response it did… then they realized”. This story shows how Banita connected two different worlds – British university life and India’s massive entertainment industry.
From Commercials to Camera: Her First Steps
Banita Sandhu advertisement experience
Early Start: Banita Sandhu stepped in front of the camera at just 11 years old. This early exposure to performing arts became the foundation of what ended up as her full-fledged career. Growing up in Wales, she got her first agent during her pre-teen years. This showed remarkable determination for someone so young.
Strategic Choices: Banita made a smart move during her time at King’s College London that sped up her career path. “I figured if I study in London, I can also go to castings,” she said in one interview. She wasn’t sure about doing commercials at first. “At first I was reluctant to do the advert because I wanted to be a serious actor, but when you’re a student and you see the pay and travel, I couldn’t say no”. This practical approach let her gain valuable industry experience while studying.
Vodafone and Wrigley’s campaigns
Breakthrough Moment: Her big break in commercials came in her first year at university with a high-profile Vodafone India campaign. The ad ran during the prestigious Indian Premier League cricket season and introduced her to millions across the subcontinent. Shot in Malaysia, the Vodafone U commercial marked her first major international project.
Viral Success: The Vodafone ad became a huge hit with over a million views online. What could have been just another commercial turned into a career-defining moment for the young actress. Her unique screen presence caught everyone’s attention, from viewers to industry professionals.
Expanding Reach: After Vodafone’s success, she starred in a four-minute Wrigley’s Doublemint chewing gum ad. Acclaimed filmmaker Shoojit Sircar directed this piece. The commercial featured the melodious tune “Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se” and paired her with actor Shubham Kumar Mehra. Its extended format gave her room to show more of her acting skills than typical 30-second spots.
Massive Impact: The Wrigley’s Doublemint ad struck a chord with audiences and racked up 40 million views. Banita became a familiar face in Indian advertising circles. Her performances in these campaigns showed she could connect with viewers across cultural boundaries.
How ads led to her film debut
Director’s Discovery: Her work with director Shoojit Sircar in commercials changed everything. During the Wrigley’s ad shoot, Sircar—known for female-centric films like the courtroom drama “Pink”—saw something special in her. His experienced eye noticed qualities that went beyond what the commercial needed.
Career-Changing Conversation: A casual chat during the Wrigley’s commercial shoot changed her life. “During filming, he let me know he had a film in the pipeline and that he wanted me to play a part”. This conversation led to her landing the lead role in “October” opposite Bollywood star Varun Dhawan.
Perfect Timing: Her move from commercials to cinema happened at just the right moment. She had been acting since childhood, but these popular ads gave her the visibility and connections she needed to break into feature films. The transition happened naturally through relationships built on set rather than traditional auditions.
Bollywood Breakthrough and Rising Fame
Debut in October and critical acclaim
Breakthrough Performance: Banita Sandhu made her feature film debut in “October,” a critically acclaimed Indian coming-of-age drama, before completing her graduation from King’s College London in summer 2018. She played Shiuli Iyer, a hotel management trainee who falls into a coma. Her performance got widespread recognition in India’s tough-to-please film industry. Critics called her performance “outstanding,” which led to a nomination for the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
Industry Recognition: Vogue India named Banita “The Face to Watch Out For” after her remarkable debut. “October” received seven nominations at the 64th Filmfare Awards, including Best Female Debut for Banita. She showed exceptional skill by conveying powerful emotions with minimal dialog—a reviewer noted she appeared “on screen for almost 90 minutes with hardly 9 minutes of dialog”.
Banita Sandhu movies in Indian cinema
Growing Filmography: After her success in “October,” Banita quickly became one of Bollywood’s biggest rising stars. She expanded her work into multiple Indian languages. Her role as Meera Shetty in the Tamil film “Adithya Varma” (2019) proved she could work effectively across language barriers.
Critical Reception: Indian film critics consistently praised Banita’s performances. One critic noted that “Banita is also very natural in portraying her character”, highlighting her authentic screen presence. The actress reflected on her work’s lasting effect: “I’m aware of what October has become today thanks to social media. I receive messages about it even now. I didn’t realize that it would achieve a cult status”.
Working with Shoojit Sircar and Varun Dhawan
Director’s Faith: Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar believed in Banita’s talent from day one. “We were sure that she was the girl we should approach,” he said, adding: “Her performance in the film is captivating. I am sure that October will be a milestone in her career”. His faith paid off as she helped lift the film with her performance.
Co-star’s Admiration: Her “October” co-star Varun Dhawan praised Banita openly: “She’s done an incredible job. The amount that she has given to this film, very rarely an actor gives that”. Dhawan credited her contribution to his performance: “If it was not for her, if it was not for her eyes, if it was not for her soul, I would not be able to be me in this film”.
Roles in Adithya Varma and Sardar Udham
Tamil Cinema Exploration: Banita took time off to finish her university education after “October”. She returned to acting with “Adithya Varma” (2019), her first Tamil-language film. This choice showed her ability to work in different Indian film industries.
Reunion with Sircar: Banita teamed up again with director Shoojit Sircar in 2021 for “Sardar Udham.” She played Reshma, a deaf-and-mute Punjabi girl who witnesses the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Her performance, though brief, earned substantial praise. “It’s really so overwhelming how positive the feedback has been,” Banita said, adding: “I am really, really grateful to have just been a part of this movie”. The film won Best Hindi Film of the Year, adding another notable project to her career.
Crossing Borders: Global Projects and Bridgerton
Banita Sandhu Bridgerton role explained
Cultural Milestone: Banita Sandhu played Miss Sita Malhotra in Netflix’s hit series “Bridgerton” Season 3, bringing fresh South Asian representation to the Regency-era drama. Her character appeared in the first five minutes through Lady Whistledown’s voiceover, marking a cultural breakthrough.
Behind the Scenes: “Joining a Shondaland production, being part of the world of Bridgerton was a no-brainer,” Banita shared. She spoke about the grand production: “We were shooting in actual palaces. Everything from the set design to the costumes and even the hair and makeup was on point… ninety-five percent of it is real”.
Practical View: “Sometimes, you have to put your ego to the side,” Banita said about her limited role. She reflected: “It’s the biggest TV show on Netflix. Who would say no to that? If they’re inviting you to come be on set, work with this amazing team, dress up in these beautiful costumes… you would be stupid to say no”.
Acting in Pandora and other international shows
Science Fiction Venture: Banita landed a main role in The CW’s sci-fi series “Pandora” (2019) as Delaney Pilar. Her character was “a brilliant, nannite-enhanced woman with cybernetic implants who is able to process information more quickly as she is perpetually connected to the Datastream”.
Complex Character: Pilar’s technological abilities shaped her personality: “Because of her enhanced abilities, Pilar initially comes off as aloof and egotistical around others (‘You act so superior.’ ‘Because I am superior.’)”. The series explored her character’s struggle with “the decision to give up her individuality to the hive mind as a young child”.
Diverse Portfolio: Banita’s work included the British production “Eternal Beauty” (2019). She also took on projects like “Kavita and Teresa” which tells the story of Mother Teresa and a character named Kavita Mukherjee.
How global exposure shaped her career
Cultural Ambassador: Banita’s success “opened new doors for Indian cinema,” and she noticed that “the West is finally opening eyes to International cinema”. Her work helped connect British and Indian film industries.
Industry Insights: Banita compared different film industries: “The filmmaking process is kind of similar but they are worlds apart. Bollywood is super organized… In the UK, they like to see people a lot and do multiple auditions”.
Strategic Relocation: Banita moved from Wales to Mumbai in early 2025. “My passion is acting, whether it’s international cinema or Bollywood. I’ve always wanted to live in India,” she explained. She added: “It was only natural that I come here to the country that has given me so much love”.
Beyond the Screen: Advocacy and Aspirations
Banita Sandhu on mental health awareness
Personal Journey: Banita Sandhu received her depression diagnosis during her university years. She talks about it openly now. “It’s something I will always battle and live with but, because I really worked on my mental health with therapy and the support around me, I am much better equipped to handle it now”. Her battle started at 18 and continued through her breakthrough period—a time she should have been celebrating her success.
Professional Impact: Her mental health experiences shape her acting approach. “Through developing my relationship with myself, it has helped me develop a relationship with my characters and to be more empathetic with them”. This understanding lets her bring authentic complex emotional states to the screen.
Public speaking and cultural representation
Advocacy Work: Banita shares her story at events like the UK Asian Film Festival. She talks about mental health challenges that South Asian and Bollywood artists face. Her honest discussions bring hope to new performers who face these challenges.
Cultural Identity: Banita champions authentic representation as a third-generation British Indian. “I really struggled with my identity as a kid. I used to hate my skin color and wished I was the blond girl who all the boys liked. If I had people who looked like me on TV, I wouldn’t have felt like that”.
Future goals and genre exploration
Genre Aspirations: Banita wants to play “complex villainous characters, who are more gray and devious.” This marks a shift from her earlier “sweet and simple” roles. She’s excited about comedy too and notes: “Crying on camera is relatively easy, but mastering comedic timing is a skill one either possesses or lacks”.
Creative Approach: Banita shares her work philosophy: “I always like to challenge myself in my work. Each project I do pushes me in a different direction”. She’s now filming an action movie, adding to her growing range of roles.
Giving Back
Community Connections: Moving to India brought Banita closer to her support system: “I love being here and am so lucky to have spent so much time here over the course of my career that I have a great sense of community to lean on now”.
Mentorship Values: Director Shoojit Sircar plays a special role in her life: “Personally, he has been a mentor and a guiding light to me”. She now wants to offer similar guidance to new talents.
Key Takeaways
Life Lessons: Banita puts her health first. She took a year-long break to focus on herself: “I needed a year out just to get my health back on track, because without my health I have nothing”. This break also let her finish her education and recharge.
Acting Philosophy: “I think in my career I always live by the motto that an actor serves the film and the film doesn’t serve the actor”. This principle guides her choice of roles, whatever the screen time.
Global Indian Impact Analysis
Read a similar story of Avantika Vandanapu, an Indian-American actress.
FAQ:
What is Banita Sandhu's net worth?
Banita Sandhu’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. This wealth reflects her successful career as an actress, model, and public figure. She gained recognition through her work in Bollywood and international cinema, including films like October and Sardar Udham. Additionally, her popularity as a model in commercials and brand endorsements has contributed significantly to her earnings. Banita’s work in music videos and collaborations with global brands has further expanded her financial portfolio. Her steady rise in the entertainment industry makes her a promising talent with growing career opportunities.
Which movies has Banita Sandhu acted in?
Banita Sandhu debuted in Bollywood with the critically acclaimed film October (2018), alongside Varun Dhawan. Her performance in the film was praised for its natural and nuanced portrayal. She later starred in Adithya Varma (2019), the Tamil remake of Arjun Reddy. Banita played a pivotal role in Shoojit Sircar’s Sardar Udham (2021), alongside Vicky Kaushal, showcasing her range as an actress. In 2022, she appeared in Mother Teresa & Me, a film exploring the life of the iconic humanitarian. With these diverse roles, Banita has established herself as a versatile and talented actor.
How old is Banita Sandhu?
Born on June 22, 1997, Banita Sandhu is currently 27 years old. She grew up in Caerleon, Wales, in a British Indian Sikh family. Banita’s upbringing in a multicultural environment shaped her artistic vision and confidence in pursuing acting as a career. Despite her young age, she has already achieved significant success in Bollywood and international cinema. Her age reflects her potential for growth, as she continues to explore diverse roles and establish herself as a global actress. Banita’s career trajectory exemplifies how young talent can break barriers and achieve remarkable milestones.
Who is Banita Sandhu's boyfriend?
Banita Sandhu is reportedly in a relationship with Punjabi singer AP Dhillon. The couple made their relationship public when Banita shared photos of them together on Instagram, including moments from AP Dhillon’s music video “With You,” in which she appeared. Their relationship has generated significant media attention, especially after the duo was seen at public events and interviews together. Despite the attention, Banita prefers to keep her personal life private, focusing primarily on her career and projects. Her relationship with AP Dhillon highlights the blend of personal and professional lives in the entertainment industry.
What is Banita Sandhu's height?
Banita Sandhu stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm). Her height, combined with her elegant personality, makes her a natural fit for both acting and modeling. She has been featured in various fashion campaigns, photo shoots, and commercials, where her poise and charisma stand out. Banita’s height also complements her presence on-screen, allowing her to carry off a variety of roles in films and advertisements. Her confidence and style have made her a notable figure in the entertainment industry, further solidifying her place as a talented and admired public personality.
What is the connection between Banita Sandhu and Khushi Kapoor?
Banita Sandhu and Khushi Kapoor were linked to Punjabi singer AP Dhillon in separate rumors. Speculations arose about AP Dhillon’s relationship with Khushi Kapoor due to their appearances together, but no confirmation followed. Banita, however, made her relationship with AP Dhillon public through Instagram posts and interviews. This clarified that she is romantically involved with the singer, leaving the connection with Khushi Kapoor as unconfirmed speculation. The situation highlights how public figures often face scrutiny and rumors in their personal lives. Banita’s transparency about her relationship with AP Dhillon has helped put rumors to rest.
Who are Banita Sandhu's parents?
Banita Sandhu was born to British Indian Sikh parents in Caerleon, Wales. Her parents are first-generation immigrants from the Punjab region of India, and they have played a crucial role in shaping her cultural identity. Despite growing up in the UK, Banita has maintained a strong connection with her Indian roots, which is evident in her work and public persona. She has often spoken about how her family’s values and support have been instrumental in her career. Banita’s multicultural background has given her a unique perspective, helping her navigate both Indian and global entertainment industries.
In which advertisements has Banita Sandhu appeared?
Banita Sandhu gained recognition early in her career through notable advertisements. She appeared in Vodafone U TB commercials, where her charm and relatability made her a standout. Another major project was her appearance in Doublemint’s “Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se” commercial, which became immensely popular for its storytelling and music. These advertisements showcased her acting talent and expressive range, paving the way for her film career. Banita’s presence in such high-profile campaigns established her as a sought-after face in the advertising industry, contributing to her rising popularity in both Bollywood and international projects.
