Kriti on losing a big film: 'I cried. It broke my heart'

Kriti Kharbanda has quietly carved a space for herself in the Indian film industry over the past 16 years, moving seamlessly across languages, genres, and now, digital platforms. With the success of Rana Naidu 2, where she’s earned praise for her fierce portrayal of Alia Oberoi, Kriti is embracing a new chapter she calls 'Kriti 2.0.

' In a candid conversation, the actress looked back on her journey—marked by hard-earned milestones, painful rejections, and an unwavering commitment to forging her path on her own terms.In an interview with Moneycontrol, Kriti reflected on her 16-year journey from her 2009 Telugu debut Boni to the success of Rana Naidu 2, where she plays the bold and complex Alia Oberoi. Calling herself "Kriti 2.0," she also opened up about being replaced in a big project despite being signed.After her Hindi film debut Raaz Reboot, Kriti came close to landing a major Bollywood project. She went through several auditions and screen tests and had even signed the contract—only to have the opportunity taken away at the last moment.The actress opened up about the rejections she has faced in her career, recalling a particularly painful experience after the release of Raaz Reboot. She had auditioned multiple times, met the director, completed a look test with the lead actor, and even received the signing amount for a major Bollywood project.

However, while attending a family wedding in Delhi, she got a sudden call informing her that the role had gone to another actor who had become available.

The reason given was industry relationships playing a role in casting decisions. Though heartbroken at the time, Kriti said she moved on quickly, acknowledging that such setbacks are common in a competitive industry where how you enter doesn’t matter—only that you do.She also emphasized that she has never relied on personal relationships to advance her career. She shared that she prefers to succeed on her own merit and refuses to exploit industry connections or let anyone take her for granted. For her, every opportunity has been earned—not handed to her.Kriti, whose career began in 2009 with Telugu cinema, has since worked across Hindi, Tamil, Kannada films and now OTT. She sees Rana Naidu 2 as a turning point, calling it the beginning of “Kriti 2.0.”

Reflecting on the journey, she shared that her debut film was released on June 12, and by coincidence, she began this new chapter on June 13—marking a full-circle moment. That night, she gave herself a quiet pep talk, acknowledging how far she’s come without any external support, and expressed pride in the path she’s carved on her own.She doesn’t label her early years in the industry as a “struggle” but rather a meaningful learning curve. She believes every experience—good, bad, or challenging—has shaped her journey. Proud of both her achievements and missteps, she embraces every project as a stepping stone that helped her grow. Looking back at her 16-year journey, she says she wouldn’t change a thing. Acting, she adds, will always remain her first love, even as she explores other avenues in the future.