Kriti Kharbanda (born 29 October 1990) is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Hindi, Kannada and Telugu language films.

[2] She portrayed an IAS aspirant in Bruce Lee: The Fighter (2015), for which she received Filmfare and SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu nominations.

Kharbanda made her Hindi film debut with Raaz: Reboot (2016) and played a PCS Officer in Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana (2017).

Her notable Hindi films include Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se (2018), Housefull 4 (2019), which is her highest-grossing release, Taish (2020) and 14 Phere (2021).

Her photo on the Spar billboard caught the attention of NRI director Raj Pippala who was looking for a heroine for his film, and that paved the way for her acting career.

[11] After being seen on the Spar billboard, Kharbanda was cast in a lead role for the Telugu film Boni opposite Sumanth.

[17] The film was a hit at the box office in 2010, and Kharbanda stated that it got her recognition and "a fair amount of admiration in the industry", resulting in her being offered numerous projects in Kannada.

She appeared in "retro scenes" in Teen Maar in which she had to "replicate heroines from the 70s" and revealed that she also chose the costumes and jewellery she wore in the film.

[citation needed] The following year, she acted in Mr. Nookayya alongside Manoj Manchu in Telugu, and in Prem Adda, a remake of the Tamil film Subramaniapuram, in Kannada.

[21] The latter film featured her in a "completely de-glam" role, with the actress stating that her fair complexion posed a problem to her as she played a small town girl from the 80s.

[24] In her Telugu film, Bhaskar's Ongole Githa, opposite Ram Pothineni she played a "typical town girl",[25] Karthik Pasupulate of Times of India mentioned, "Kriti Kharbanda looks cute and does a decent job of holding her own despite playing a character with little scope to do any acting.

Her portrayal of a medical student was lauded by critics with G. S. Kumar from Times of India stating, "Kriti has given life to her character.

"[28] Sify, in particular, praised Kharbanda, calling her "The heart and soul of the movie...who emerges triumphant on the big screen with some fine acting".

[30][31][32] She stated that she received a lot of offers after Googly including two Bollywood projects that she had to refuse since she was too busy shooting for her previously signed films.

[38] Her final release of the year was, Tirupati Express, a remake of the Telugu film Venkatadri Express,[39][40] Shashi Prasad from Deccan Chronicle wrote, "Kriti Kharbanda who has struck hat-trick opportunities after her Googly success, makes another 'beautiful' comeback while filling the much needed glamour quotient.

[45] In 2016, Kharbanda made her Hindi film debut with Raaz Reboot directed by Vikram Bhatt and co-starring Emraan Hashmi.

[47] In 2017, Kharbanda had four releases: She first made her Tamil debut opposite composer-turned-actor G. V. Prakash Kumar in the film Bruce Lee.

[52] Firstpost's Renil Abraham wrote, "Kartik Aryan and Kriti Kharbanda looks good and plays the role well.

"[53] She next portrayed a PCS officer in the romantic comedy Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana opposite Rajkummar Rao.

[59][60] Times of India praised her and wrote, "Kriti Kharbanda looks like a million bucks, and one wonders why we don't see her on screen as often in Kannada films, given how she effortlessly charms the audience.

[65][66] Jyoti Sharma Bawa wrote, "Kriti Kharbanda plays a Gujarati surgeon who loves her booze and should have had her license revoked a long time back.

Her first release of the year was the reincarnation comedy Housefull 4, where she portrayed Rajkumari Meena and Neha opposite Bobby Deol and Riteish Deshmukh.

[69][70] Monika Rawal Kukreja praised her and noted, "Kriti Kharbanda brings freshness to the screen but, her poor dialogue delivery is distracting.

[72] Critic from Bollywood Hungama mentions, "Of all the heroines, Kriti Kharbanda gets to play an interesting character and she does justice.

"[73] Kharbanda's only release in 2020 was Bejoy Nambiar's Taish with Jim Sarbh and Samrat, whichreleased on ZEE5 as a feature film and six-episode series.

[74][75] Pallabi Dey Purkayastha mentions, "Kriti, Sanjeeda and Saloni play three very different women standing at three crucial junctions in their respective lives.

"[76] In 2021, she appeared in ZEE5's 14 Phere, directed by Devanshu Singh opposite Vikrant Massey, playing a Jatt girl Aditi.

[77] Stutee Ghosh of The Quint wrote, "Kriti Kharbanda as Aditi, has a very thinly written character sketch, but she manages to be charming throughout.

[104] Firstpost find her to be "a perfect blend" of solid acting chops, expressive face, arresting glamour, and a dazzling screen presence.