Sanaya Irani (; born 17 September 1983) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television. Irani is best known for her roles in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? and Miley Jab Hum Tum. She also participated in Nach Baliye 8 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8.
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. 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 Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2006 Fanaa Mehbooba 2018 Pihu Pihu Short filmDum Dum DumrooDr. Sneha 2019 Ghost Simran Singh 2020Ved and AryaAryaShort film2023Butterflies Season 4SafaShort film (episode 5)
Television Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2007 Left Right Left Cadet Sameera Shroff Kasamh Se Geet 2008 Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi Sanaya Kaho Na Yaar Hai Contestant 2008–2010 Miley Jab Hum Tum Gunjan Bhushan 2010 Zara Nachke Dikha 2 Host Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan Contestant Meethi Choori No 1 2011–2012 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? Khushi Kumari Gupta Raizada 2013Ishq Wala Love HostChhanchhan Chhanchhan Sarabhai Borisagar Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawazi Ki Contestant Episodes 1–6 2013–2014 Rangrasiya Parvati Chauhan Ranawat/ Myrah Mehra 2015 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 Contestant1st runner-up 2016 Box Cricket League 2 ContestantTeam: Mumbai Tigers 2017 Nach Baliye 82nd runner-up
Special appearances Year Title Role Ref.2013 Masterchef - Kitchen Ke Superstars Herself Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 Bigg Boss 7 2014Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 72015 Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi 2018 India's Next Superstars 2019 Kitchen Champion 5 Khatra Khatra Khatra Nach Baliye 9
Web series Year Title Role Notes Ref.2015 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? Ek Jashn Khushi Kumari Gupta 2016 I Don't Watch TV Herself 2018ZindabaadSara SayedMini-series2022Cyber Vaar – Har Screen Crime SceneAnanya Saini
Music videos Year Title Singer(s) Ref.2006Mere Naseeb Mein Tu Hai2006Tumko Dekha To Yeh(remix)Jagjit Singh2012Kulli Wichon Ni Yaar Labh LaiJoshilayPunjabi song (Saregama Punjabi-YouTube)2018Main JaandiyaanNeha Bhasin, Piyush Mehroliyaa2019IntezaarAsees Kaur, Arijit Singh2022DholnaDeedar Kaur
Accolades Year Award Category Work Result Ref.2008Indian Television Academy AwardsGr8! Performer Of The Year - FemaleMiley Jab Hum Tum2012Gold AwardsFace of the yearIss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?Best Onscreen Jodi (with Barun Sobti)Indian Television Academy AwardsBest Actress (Popular)People's Choice Awards IndiaFavorite Onscreen Couple (with Barun Sobti)Indian Telly AwardsBest Onscreen Couple (with Barun Sobti)2013Best Actress in a Lead RoleGold AwardsBest Actress in a Lead RoleFace of the YearChhanchhan2014Indian Telly AwardsBest Actress in a Lead RoleRangrasiyaAsian Viewers Television AwardsFemale Actor Of The YearIndian Television Academy AwardsBest Actress (Popular)Gold AwardsBest Actress in a Lead Role2015Asian Viewers Television AwardsFemale Actor Of The Year
See also List of Indian television actresses List of Hindi television actresses
References
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