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Kunika
Kunika Sadanand is an Indian actress, singer, and social activist, best known for her roles in Hindi television serials and Bollywood films.She has been performing since the late 1980s and has portrayed strong, multifaceted characters. She is most known for her antagonistic roles in television dramas. In addition to her acting career, Kunika has recorded albums and is a trained vocalist. She is well-known for her charitable work and contributions to women's empowerment, and she is actively involved in a number of social causes outside of the entertainment industry.
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| Kunickaa Sadanand in 2025 | |
| Born | 27 February 1964 (age 61) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
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| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.L.S. & L.L.B. in Human Rights |
| Alma mater | University of Mumbai, NALSAR University of Law |
| Occupation | Actress, Advocate, Singer |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Known for | Roles in Beta, Gumraah, Khiladi, *Swabhimaan* |
| Notable works | Kabrastan (1988), Swabhimaan (TV Series), Khiladi (1992), Koyla (1997) |
| Awards | WOW Iconic Personality Award (2019) |
| Spouse(s) | Abhay Kothari (1st, divorced), Vinay Lall (2nd, divorced)) |
| Parents | Manjunath Sadanand (father),
Kalyani Sadanand (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | See belowInstagram |
Early Life & Education
Kunika Sadanand was born on 27 February 1964 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, into a culturally diverse family that nurtured her artistic inclinations from a young age. Growing up in the vibrant city of Mumbai, she developed an early interest in acting and music, which later shaped her multifaceted career in television, film, and singing.Her mother, Kalyani, was Punjabi-English, and her father, Manjunath Sadanand, was from South India and a member of the Indian Air Force. She comes from a very multicultural family because her maternal grandmother was Scottish.
Being the oldest of four siblings, Kunickaa grew up with her father's military discipline and flexibility, while her mother's artistic side fostered expression. But her early life was not without its difficulties, which helped to mold her into the strong woman she is today.
Kunickaa took a risk by going back to school later in life, unlike many people in the film industry. She studied law (LLB) and later earned an LLM with a focus on forensic law and human rights. She obtained her position as a practicing advocate after years of intense study and training, and she even met the requirements to be an Advocate-on-Record in the Indian Supreme Court.
This abrupt change from glitzy movie sets to somber courtrooms demonstrated her will to change and her capacity to reinvent herself outside of the entertainment industry.
Career
In the late 1980s, Kunika Sadanand made her acting debut in the horror movie Kabrastan (1988). She starred in over 110 films over the course of the following 20 years, frequently playing strong, glitzy, or villainous roles that set her apart in Bollywood. She established a unique identity in the star-driven era of Hindi cinema by becoming well-known for her commanding on-screen persona and her ability to portray strong or negative characters.
Some of her most popular films include:
- Beta (1992)
- Gumraah (1993)
- Khiladi (1992)
- Karan Arjun (1995)
- Koyla (1997)
- Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) – she played the friend of Reema Lagoo’s characte
Music and Business
Her artistic endeavors went beyond performing. Before independent music gained popularity in India, Kunika experimented with it by releasing three pop albums in the 1990s and 2000s. She also started her own business, opening restaurants, banquet spaces, and a spa in Mumbai. She demonstrated both her artistic and business skills by producing multiple stage shows through her event management company.
Social Work
Beyond business and entertainment, Kunika has a strong commitment to social causes. She established the Tara Charitable Trust in 2005 with the goal of assisting impoverished areas. She actively promotes child welfare and education as a trustee at CHIP (Children In Progress). Her personal philosophy of giving back, which has been influenced by her experiences as a single mother and a woman navigating the cutthroat entertainment industry, is reflected in her activism. Additionally, Kunika left her mark on television, becoming well-known for her role as a mother in the cult 1990s series Swabhimaan at the age of 18. Later, she participated in reality shows like the Box Cricket League and made appearances on shows like Akbar Birbal, Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls, and Sanjog Se Bani Sangini.
Notable Works
Kunika Sadanand has acted in more than 110 Bollywood and regional motion pictures. Beta (1992), Khiladi (1992), Gumraah (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Koyla (1997), and Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) are a few of her best-known films. She became well-known for her portrayals of strong, fearless, and occasionally antagonistic characters that made an impact on viewers. She is well-known on television for her part in the cult series Swabhimaan and for her roles in Akbar Birbal, Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls, and Sanjog Se Bani Sangini. Her noteworthy contributions to reality TV were further enhanced by her participation in Bigg Boss Season 19 in 2025.
Achievements and Recognition
Kunika became one of the most well-known character actors of the 1990s thanks to her versatility and strong on-screen persona. She made a name for herself as an entrepreneur in addition to being an actress, operating restaurants, banquet spaces, spas, and an event management business in Mumbai. She has gained recognition outside of the entertainment industry for her work with impoverished communities and her social contributions through the Tara Charitable Trust. Her 61-year-old Bigg Boss Season 19 debut demonstrated her ongoing relevance and enduring appeal in Indian television.