Sanaya Irani

Early life and education

Irani was born on 17 September 1983 in Mumbai to an Irani (Zoroastrian) family. Irani spent seven years studying in The Lawrence School, Lovedale in Ooty. She graduated from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai and was pursuing an MBA degree before becoming a model.

Career

Modelling career and film debut (2005-2007)

Irani's first modelling portfolio was done by photographer-turned actor Boman Irani. Irani made her acting debut in the Yash Raj Film Fanaa (2006) as Mehbooba. The actress spent the year doing TV advertisements with Bollywood stars like Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor and others before entering television. She made her debut with Jagjit Singh's Tumko Dekha. At the beginning of her career, Irani wasn't fluent in Hindi and spoke of her struggles with the language on several occasions.

Television debut and breakthrough (2007-2010)

Her television debut was in the SAB TV drama Left Right Left (2007) as Cadet Sameera Shroff. She was tutored by her director for her Hindi. This was followed by a negative role in Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi (2008) on Imagine TV.

Irani's first lead role as a protagonist was in STAR One's Miley Jab Hum Tum (2008–2010), as the simple, studious and reclusive Gunjan. Irani briefly hosted the second season of Zara Nachke Dikha on STAR Plus with boyfriend Mohit Sehgal (2010). She was also seen as a panel member in Meethi Chorii No. 1 opposite Ragini Khanna (2010).

Established actress (2011-2014)

She portrayed the bubbly and loving Khushi Kumari Gupta, the female protagonist of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? (2011–2012) opposite Barun Sobti. The show, which aired its final episode on 30 November 2012, had consistently maintained its position as one of the top ten daily dramas on Indian general entertainment channels.

In early 2013, Irani hosted Zee TV's Valentine's Day special Ishq Wala Love opposite Karan Grover. She later appeared as a contestant in Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan-Nawaazi ki (2013), hosted by Ram Kapoor.

She played the role of a vivacious and modern girl in Chhanchhan (2013). The show was loosely based on the Hindi movie Khubsoorat. Irani then appeared in Rangrasiya (2014) as Parvati. The show was produced by Saurabh Tiwari, head of Tequila Shots Production. The story followed a border security personnel and an orphan girl who were ideologically different. It ended in September.

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and further success (2015-present)

Irani also participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 in 2015 which aired on Colors. Irani reprised her role of Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada again in its sequel mini series Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?... Ek Jashan (2015) which ended in December. In 2017, Irani participated in the dance show Nach Baliye 8 with her husband Mohit Sehgal. During Nach Baliye Sanaya & Mohit were in a controversy as fans of Divyanka Tripathi had claimed that they are the fixed winners but she lashed at the trollers on Instagram and said this is untrue.

Other appearances

In August 2013, Irani made a brief guest appearance in the dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa to support her best friend Drashti Dhami. She made an appearance again in the seventh season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa to support Ashish Sharma in June 2014. In December 2013, Irani made a special guest appearance in Bigg Boss 7 in the grand finale along with Ashish Sharma, Preetika Rao and Harshad Arora. She also made special appearance in Beintehaa in March and June 2014.

Personal life

Irani met actor Mohit Sehgal on the sets of Miley Jab Hum Tum and they eventually began dating. They announced their relationship on 19 November 2010, the last day of the series shoot. In December 2015, the couple got engaged. Irani married Sehgal on 25 January 2016 in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony in Goa.

Media image

Eastern Eye placed her in their 50 Sexiest Asian Women list in 2012, She was again ranked 10th for the Eastern Eye newspaper. In 2014, she was listed in the top 10 best television actresses by Rediff. In 2015, Sanaya became the only television actress to be listed on the People magazine's - India's 40 most beautiful women list. In 2018, The Times of India ranked her 10th in the "Top 10 TV Actress" list. In 2014, Irani went on a U.K. tour on behalf of Star Plus.

Filmography

Films

Television

Special appearances

Web series

Music videos

Accolades

References

References

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2. (17 September 2016). "Sanaya Irani turns 33 today: Lesser known facts about 'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon' actress".
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6. (2 June 2017). "I want to win Nach Baliye for Mohit: Sanaya Irani".
7. Naithani, Priyanka. (18 October 2012). "From reel to real life jodis". The Times of India.
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12. "Shilpa, Arshad, Vaibhavi to judge 'Zara Nach Ke Dikha'". [[Deccan Herald]].
13. "Replacement stars rewrite TRPs". [[The Times of India]].
14. "Soap star 'overwhelmed' by welcome from crowds". This is Leicestershire.
15. "Iss Pyaar Ko... completes a year and more drama to unfold". [[The Times of India]].
16. "Sanaya Irani & Karan V Grover to host Ishq Wala Love". The Times of India.
17. (18 January 2013). "TV celebs take up cooking challenge". [[The Times of India]].
18. Vijaya Tiwari. (4 March 2013). "Few more names join Modern Bahoo". [[The Times of India]].
19. Chaya Unnikrishnan. (27 February 2013). "Sanaya Irani reprises Rekha's role". DNA India.
20. Chaya Unnikrishnan. (16 November 2013). "First look | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". Dnaindia.com.
21. (13 August 2014). "Rangrasiya to end next month".
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24. . (9 April 2017). ["Nach Baliye 8: Sanaya Irani, Mohit Sehgal confirm they are part of the dance show"](https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/nach-baliye-8-sanaya-irani-mohit-sehgal-confirm-they-are-part-of-the-dance-show/story-FpgfinMXqdY06Fn1P41j4I.html). *[[Hindustan Times]]*.
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35. "Star TV's 'Khushi' to visit UK cities this month | BizAsia UK | The UK's only Asian media news site". Media247.co.uk.
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37. (18 June 2018). "Sanaya Irani's short-film 'Pihu' to release this week".
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39. Singh, Shalu. (2019-09-18). "Sanaya Irani starrer Ghost will send chills down your spine. Check out first look".
40. (2020-04-10). "Short film explores modern-day dating".
41. (February 6, 2023). "Terribly Tiny Tales launches fourth season of 'Butterflies' web series in collaboration with Hershey's India".
42. (28 February 2020). "Drashti Dhami and hubby Neeraj Khemka steal the show at his sister's sangeet; friend Sanaya Irani cheers for them".
43. (29 January 2018). "Dill Mill Gayye, Miley Jab Hum Tum, Remix: Television shows that defined every 90's kid's teenage years".
44. (26 January 2018). "Aww! Sanaya Irani writes heartwarming post about Mohit Sehgal on their second wedding anniversary".
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47. Chaya Unnikrishnan. (28 March 2013). "Looks promising". Daily News and Analysis.
48. (2013-12-20). "I was confused about my character in 'Rangrasiya': Sanaya Irani".
49. (18 December 2015). "200 Actors, 10 Teams, and 1 Winner... Let The Game Begin". The Times of India.
50. (29 December 2013). "Actress and Model Gauhar Khan declared winner of 'Bigg Boss'".
51. (3 June 2014). "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7: Best buddies Sanaya Irani and Drashti Dhami pose for a selfie - view pic!".
52. (3 April 2017). "Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? Actress Sanaya Irani to be part of this dance reality show next?".
53. (19 March 2019). "Sanaya Irani, Mohit Shegal, Shakti Arora and Neha Saxena shoot for Kitchen Champion". TOI.
54. (2 July 2019). "PICS: 'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon' actress Sanaya Irani To Be Back On TV Soon; Shoots For A Colors show!".
55. (13 July 2019). "Nach Baliye 9: Sanaya Irani, Mohit Sehgal to perform as a couple in special Dance Dhamaka episode today. Watch".
56. (16 December 2015). "'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon' culminates on Hotstar after 8 episodes". [[Indian Television]].
57. "Drashti Dhami and Sanaya Irani urge their fans to watch their web show, I Don't Watch TV {{!}} Indo American News".
58. (2018-01-09). "Vodka Shots: Sanaya Irani as Keya Sharma narrates a story of us millennials".
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63. "Song 'Intezaar' Sung By Arijit Singh, Asees Kaur {{!}} Hindi Video Songs". The Times of India.
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