Kriti Sanon birthday today: How an engineering student became Shah Rukh Khan's co-star and co-founded a company with ₹400 crore in sales

Kriti Sanon turns 36 today, and her journey from an engineering graduate to one of Bollywood's biggest stars—and now a successful entrepreneur—is anything but ordinary. With no film background or industry connections, Kriti entered the entertainment world as an outsider, first making a name for herself in modelling before landing her Bollywood debut.

Her Bollywood career began in 2014 with Heropanti opposite Tiger Shroff. The film launched her into the spotlight and opened doors to bigger opportunities. Just a year later, she shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in Rohit Shetty's Dilwale. Over the years, she built an impressive filmography with hits such as Bareilly Ki Barfi, Luka Chuppi, Housefull 4 and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. Her performance in Mimi (2021), in which she played a surrogate mother, earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress.

As the actor celebrates her 36th birthday on July 27, here's a look at how she built not just a successful film career but also a growing business empire.

From film sets to skincare shelves

Kriti's entrepreneurial journey began with a personal interest in skincare. Spending years on film sets exposed her to countless beauty products, but it was during the COVID-19 lockdown that she began learning more about skincare ingredients and routines.

In 2023, she co-founded Hyphen with PEP Technologies, the company behind personal care brand mCaffeine. The skincare label quickly stood out for its vibrant neon-coloured packaging and celebrity-backed branding.

According to Forbes, Hyphen generated more than ₹100 crore in revenue within its first year. The brand has since grown rapidly, with reports estimating annual sales of around ₹400 crore, making it one of India's fastest-growing celebrity-led skincare brands. It now competes with labels such as Katrina Kaif's Kay Beauty, Mira Rajput Kapoor's Akind and Aashka Goradia's Renee Cosmetics.

Building a fitness business

Before launching Hyphen, Kriti had already entered the fitness space.

In 2022, she co-founded The Tribe, a fitness venture inspired by her own transformation after Mimi. The actress had gained around 15 kg for the film and had to lose the weight during the pandemic when gyms were closed.

Speaking to entrepreneur Raj Shamani, Kriti revealed that she trained virtually with four fitness coaches from home. The experience inspired her to launch The Tribe along with those trainers.

The company opened its first fitness studio in Mumbai's Juhu in 2022, followed by a second studio in Bandra in 2024.

Stepping behind the camera

Kriti expanded her business portfolio further in 2023 by launching Blue Butterfly Films, her own production company.

Its first production, Do Patti, premiered on Netflix in 2024. The film featured Kriti in a double role and also marked Kajol's first appearance as a police officer on screen. Through the production house, Kriti has moved beyond acting to play a bigger role in developing and producing films.