Sadaf Mohammed Sayed is an Indian actress known for her work in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films.
She was born on 17 February 1984 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. She is 42 years old.
Sadaf is one of the most sought-after actresses in South Indian cinema.
She won the Filmfare Award in the Best Actress (Telugu) (2002) for her debut performance in Jayam (2002).
Quick Facts of Sadha
| Full Name | Sadaf Mohammed Sayed |
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Age | 42 years old |
| Date of Birth | 17 February 1984 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Birthplace | Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India |
| Current Address | Mumbai / Hyderabad, India |
| Gender | Female |
Sadha Early Life and Education
Sadha was born and raised in a Marathi-speaking household, and her mother tongue is Marathi.
Her family had originally migrated from Belgaum before settling in Ratnagiri.
Education
Sadha completed her early schooling at Ratnagiri Sacred Hearts Convent in Ratnagiri.
Later, she moved to Mumbai to continue her studies and enrolled at SNDT College of Engineering, Mumbai, where she began a degree in Information Technology.
However, she left her studies after the first semester to pursue a full-time acting career.
| School | Ratnagiri Sacred Hearts Convent, Ratnagiri |
| Alma Mater | SNDT College of Engineering, Mumbai |
| Highest Qualification | Yet to be updated |
Sadha Personal Life
Sadha is currently single. It is known that she currently has no interest in marriage.
Past Relationships
Over the years, she has been rumoured to be dating co-stars Nithiin and R. Madhavan.
Family
Sadha was born to a Muslim father, Syed Mohammad, who is a doctor, and a Hindu mother, who worked as a bank executive.
She is the only daughter of the family.
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Rumored Boyfriends | Nithiin, R. Madhavan |
| Parents | Father: Syed Mohammad Mother: Yet to be updated |
Read also: South Indian Actress Name List With Photos
Sadha Career
Sadha was introduced to the Telugu film industry by producer M.K. Mavullaya and director Teja.
She began her career as a model, appearing in television commercials before transitioning into films.
Sadha started her acting career in 2002. She made her first film appearance in the Telugu movie Jayam. In this film, she acted alongside Nithiin.
In the next year, she reprised her role as Sujatha in the Tamil remake of Jayam alongside Jeyam Ravi.
In the same year, she also appeared in the Telugu films Naaga and Praanam.
In 2004, Sadha starred in the Tamil films Varnajaalam opposite Srikanth and in Aethiree opposite R Madhavan.
In the same year, she made her Kannada debut in Monalisa, playing the dual role of Monalisa and Spandana.
She also appeared in the Telugu films Donga Dongadi and Leela Mahal Center.
In 2005, she appeared in the Telugu film Avunanna Kaadanna.
Also, she starred in one of her most celebrated roles in the Tamil psychological thriller Anniyan opposite Vikram.
Then, she appeared in the Tamil romantic film Priyasakhi.
In 2006, she starred in the Telugu film Chukkallo Chandrudu, Tamil film Thirupathi, Telugu film Veerabhadra, and the Kannada film Mohini 9886788888.
In 2007, Sadha delivered one of her best-remembered performances in the Tamil romantic drama Unnale Unnale, which became a major musical hit.
In the same year, she appeared in the Telugu films Classmates and Takkari.
She also began her Malayalam debut in the film Novel as Priya Nandini.
In 2009, she made her Hindi film debut in Love Khichdi with Randeep Hooda, and she also appeared in the Telugu film A Aa E Ee.
Next year, she starred in the Hindi film Click alongside Shreyas Talpade.
She appeared in the Kannada film Mallikarjuna and the Tamil film Puli Vesham in 2011.
Thereafter, she starred in the Kannada film Aarakshaka and the Telugu film Mythri.
In 2013, she appeared in the Telugu film Dasa Tirigindi. Next, she made special appearances in Kelvi and Yamaleela 2.
In 2015, Sadha made a notable comeback to Tamil cinema with Eli, playing the role of Julie with Vadivelu.
She starred in the Hindi film Dil Toh Deewana Hai as Anamika in 2016.
In 2018, Sadha made another comeback to Tamil cinema with Torchlight with Riythvika. The film was lauded for her bold and impactful performance.
In 2023, she appeared in the Telugu films Ahimsa and Aadikeshava.
In 2025, she made a special appearance as a doctor in the long-delayed Tamil film Madha Gaja Raja with Anjali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Sonu Sood, and Vishal.
Current Work & Professional Focus
Sadha has shifted her professional focus to Television, activism, and photography.
- Television: Sadha continues to appear as a prominent judge and mentor on popular Telugu and Tamil dance and reality shows. You can keep track of her live television appearances via her Sadaa Sayed Instagram.
- Activism & Lifestyle: She is a dedicated vegan and animal rights supporter, utilising her platform to advocate for plant-based living and environmental conservation.
- Photography: She has built a successful secondary career as a wildlife photographer, frequently travelling to document nature and wildlife reserves.
Sadha Awards and Achievements
Sadha has received several awards and nominations over the course of her career:
- Filmfare Awards South (2002): Won the award for Best Actress – Telugu for her breakout debut in Jayam.
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards (2005): Nominated for the Special Prize for Best Actress for her critically acclaimed role in the blockbuster Anniyan (released as Aparichithudu in Telugu).
Sadha Controversies
Actress Sadha has largely stayed away from major scandals. However, a few specific controversies and public debates have surrounded her career.
- Stray Dog Euthanasia Outcry: It is known that Sadha broke down in a viral video. She fiercely condemned a Supreme Court order regarding the culling or relocation of stray dogs, calling it “the death of compassion”.
- Self-Censoring Torchlight: During the promotions of her 2018 female-centric film Torchlight, which dealt with the lives of sex workers. It is known she had to step in and self-censor the movie. She clashed with the official censor board’s strict demands, later opening up about how demanding and emotionally draining the project was.
Sadha Net Worth
Sadha’s net worth is approximately ₹9.53 crore to ₹47.66 crore ($1 million to $5 million). She charges ₹80 lakhs to 90 lakhs per movie.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | ₹9.53 crore-₹47.66 crore ($1 million-$5 million) |
| Salary (Approx.) | ₹80 lakhs-90 lakhs per movie |
Sadha Height, Weight and Physical Stats
The following are Sadha’s physical appearances:
| Height | In centimetres: 161 cm In meters: 1.61 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 3inches |
| Weight | In kg: 55 kg In lbs: 121 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 32-25-34 |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
Sadha Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads, YouTube
 @sadaa17 | |
| X |  @iamsadaasayed |
 @ActressSadha | |
| Threads |  @sadaa17 |
| YouTube |  @SadaaWildStories |
Interesting Facts about Sadha
- Her screen name is Sadha and Sadhaf. These names are derived from her real name, Sadaf Mohammed Sayed.
- Sadha’s nickname in the industry is “darlo” (short for darling).
- She has been a trained Kathak dancer since childhood.
- Sadha is a committed vegan and an active animal rights advocate. She supports the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO).
FAQs
Who is Sadha?
Sadaf Mohammed Sayed, known professionally as Sadha (also spelt Sadaa), is an Indian actress known for her roles in Jayam (2002) and Anniyan (2005).
How old is Sadha?
Sadha was born on 17 February 1984 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. She is 42 years old.
What was Sadha’s first film?
Sadha made her acting debut in the Telugu film Jayam (2002) alongside Nithiin.
Which film gave Sadha wider recognition?
Sadha’s debut film, Jayam (2002), was itself a massive hit and won her the Filmfare Award.
Is Sadha married?
Sadha is currently single and has no interest in marriage.
What is Sadha’s real name?
Sadha’s real name is Sadaf Mohammed Sayed.
What is Sadha known for besides acting?
Sadha is well known for her judging roles on popular Telugu and Tamil reality TV shows.
