She’s all of 23, does NOT belong to a film family and before she makes her debut as a leading lady, has already worked in 3 major box-office successes.

Meet Sanjana Sanghi, the newest girl to take Bollywood by storm as the female lead in the Hindi remake of The Fault In Our Stars, Dil Bechara, opposite the late Sushant Singh Rajput. 

She was all of 14 when she played the younger sister of Heer (Nargis Fakhri) in Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar (2011). 

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She followed that with a brief appearance as a younger Meeta in 2017’s Hindi Medium. And in the same year, she played Katty in Fukrey Returns. 

However, her role as the lead opposite Sushant Singh Rajput is all because of her brief role in Rockstar. 

According to a report by Mumbai Mirror, the film’s director, Mukesh Chabra, who was then a casting director, met Sanjana during Rockstar. 

When they reconnected after a few years, he found her to be a “mature actor, who seemed perfect for the role” of Hazel Grace Lancaster, in his directorial debut. 

Strolls down the alleys of Venice Beach ; they have so much to say

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A graduate from LSR College, Delhi, Sanjana has also appeared in few advertisements for brands such as Dabur Almond Hair Oil, Subway, Tanishq, Coca-Cola etc. 

Passionate about traveling and food, Sanjana was also a part of media organisation Youth Ki Awaz (as a writer). 

In the two years since her director and co-actor first welcomed her on set, the film has faced numerous delays and challenges. 

However, ultimately, it will be released directly on Disney+Hotstar on July 24, at 7:30 pm (IST)

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Kizie & Manny, the most special people in my life, are going to be all yours, in just 2 days, at 7:30PM (IST) on July 24th in India, the US, Canada, and UK – free, for subscribers and non subscribers. They are no more mine to be possessive about and keep all to myself. Never knew it would be this hard to let go. Take care of them, okay? We have for a long long time. ❤️🙏 Here’s to blood, sweat, tears, memories, challenges, patience, perseverance, failures, victories, aspirations, endless passion and a whole lot of bittersweet joy. #SushantSinghRajput @castingchhabra @shashankkhaitan @suprotimsengupta @amitabhbhattacharyaofficial @foxstarhindi @disneyplushotstarvip @sonymusicindia @mukeshchhabracc@swastikamukherjee13 @sahilvaid24 @saswatachatterjeeofficial

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Sanjana had earlier taken to Instagram to share a message for co-star Sushant, who passed away by suicide before the film’s release. 

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Whoever said time helps heal all wounds, was lying. Some feel like they’re being ripped open, again and again, and bleeding – Of moments that now will forever remain memories, Of laughs together that were but will never again be, Of questions that will remain unanswered, Of disbelief, that only keeps growing But these wounds also contain a film, a gift that everyone is yet to see, Wounds that contain dreams, plans, and desires for our country’s children, their education and their future that will be fulfilled, Wounds that contain a passion for an endless creative zest for every artist there is, Wounds that contain the hope for a world that promises to uphold honesty, integrity, kindness and embraces individuality – rid of all toxicity, I vow that I will do everything to make sure each of these dreams are fulfilled, like you always wanted me to. Except, you’d promised we’d do it all together. . . . #SushantSinghRajput #ThinkingOfYou

A post shared by Sanjana Sanghi | Kizie Basu (@sanjanasanghi96) on

She has also shared photos and videos from the shoot while recounting her experience of working with Sushant on the film. 

The film’s music, composed by A.R. Rahman, is already a hit with the audience. And having already seen a bit of her natural charm, we are definitely rooting for her debut film. 

Feature image credits: Dhruv Sethi