Indian former actress and Bollywood style icon, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, was born on June 9, 1985 (41 years old) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
She is best known for her Hindi films, her fashion choices, and her role in Neerja (2016), where she played air hostess Neerja Bhanot. That performance brought her a National Film Award Special Mention.
Before acting, Sonam worked behind the camera as an assistant director on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2005). She then made her acting debut with Bhansali’s Saawariya (2007).
Quick Facts of Sonam Kapoor
| Full Name | Sonam Kapoor Ahuja |
| Profession | Actress |
| Age | 41 years old |
| Date of Birth | June 9, 1985 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Current Address | London, United Kingdom |
| Gender | Female |
Sonam Kapoor Early Life and Education
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja was raised in Chembur, Bombay (now Mumbai). She is the daughter of one of India’s fittest and most famous actors and producers.
Her family moved to Juhu from Chembur when she was one month old. At age 15, she worked as a waitress for a week.
It is known that she was diagnosed with insulin resistance and polycystic ovarian disease, and later started an initiative linked to diabetes awareness.
Education
Sonam studied at Arya Vidya Mandir school in Juhu.
After her schooling, she enrolled at the United World College of South East Asia in Singapore, where she studied theatre and the arts.
Later, started courses in economics and political science through a University of Mumbai correspondence programme. She did not complete her undergraduate degree, dropping out to pursue acting.
| School | Arya Vidya Mandir, Juhu, Mumbai |
| Alma Mater | University of Mumbai (Drop-out) |
| Highest Qualification | 12th grade |
Sonam Kapoor Personal Life
Sonam Kapoor is married to businessman Anand Ahuja. They got married on 8 May 2018 in Mumbai. Their wedding was a traditional Sikh ceremony held in Bandra.
They met through a common friend, Pernia Qureshi, in 2015, and then got engaged in New York in 2016.
Past relationships
Her past romantic history includes:
- Sahir Berry: The actress was briefly linked to this businessman and model, but the relationship was short-lived, largely due to their conflicting schedules.
- Punit Malhotra: Sonam dated director Punit Malhotra, whom she met while working on the film I Hate Luv Storys. The couple was reportedly together from 2010 until they went their separate ways in 2012.
Children
Sonam and Anand have two sons. Their first son, Vayu Kapoor Ahuja, was born on 20 August 2022, and their second son, Rudralokh Kapoor Ahuja, was born on 29 March 2026.
Father
Her father is Anil Kapoor, an Indian actor and film producer. Anil Kapoor was born on 24 December 1956.
Wikipedia notes that he has worked mainly in Hindi films and has received awards, including National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards.
Mother
Her mother is Sunita Kapoor. Sunita is a former model and designer.
Siblings
Sonam has one sister and one brother.
Her sister, Rhea Kapoor, is a film producer. Rhea and Sonam have also been linked through work in fashion, including their brand Rheson.
Her brother, Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor, is an actor. He made his acting debut with Mirzya (2016).
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | Anand Ahuja |
| Children | Sons: Vayu Kapoor Ahuja and Rudralokh Kapoor Ahuja |
| Parents | Father: Anil Kapoor’ Mother: Sunita Kapoor |
| Siblings | Sister: Rhea Kapoor Brother: Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor |
Sonam Kapoor Career
Sonam Kapoor began her film work behind the camera. She started as an assistant director on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2005).
Early work and struggles (2007 to 2012)
Sonam made her acting debut in Bhansali’s Saawariya (2007) with co-actors Ranbir Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Salman Khan, and Zohra Sehgal. After that, she acted in films such as:
Delhi-6 (2009) with Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, and Aditi Rao Hydari in supporting roles.
Sonam Kapoor Mother and SisterI Hate Luv Storys (2010), with Imran Khan in the lead role, was her first commercial success.
Aisha (2010), with co-actors including Abhay Deol, Ira Dubey, Cyrus Sahukar, Amrita Puri, and Lisa Haydon, Thank You (2011), along with main co-stars Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Suniel Shetty, Irrfan Khan, Rimi Sen, and Celina Jaitly, Mausam (2011) with Shahid Kapoor in the lead role, Anupam Kher, and Supriya Pathak in supporting roles, and Players (2012), with main co-actors included Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol, Bipasha Basu, Neil Nitin Mukesh, and Vinod Khanna.
Breakthrough (2013 to 2015)
In 2013, Raanjhanaa was a turning point in her career and brought her wider praise and award nominations. The co-actors were Dhanush, Abhay Deol, Swara Bhaskar, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub.
The same year, she had a supporting role in the biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013). The main cast included Farhan Akhtar, with Divya Dutta and Prakash Raj in key roles.
From 2014 to 2015, her releases included Bewakoofiyaan (2014) with Ayushmann Khurrana and Rishi Kapoor, Khoobsurat (2014) with co-actors including Fawad Khan in the lead role, Kirron Kher, and Ratna Pathak Shah. Dolly Ki Doli (2015) with Rajkumar Rao, and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) with Salman Khan in lead.
Female-led films and wider recognition (2016 to 2018)
In 2016, she played real-life air hostess Neerja Bhanot in Neerja, with Shabana Azmi, Shekhar Ravjiani, and Jim Sarbh.
After a gap, she returned in 2018 with Pad Man with Akshay Kumar and Radhika Apte, followed by Veere Di Wedding with the main cast Kareena Kapoor Khan, Swara Bhaskar, and Shikha Talsania, and a supporting role in Sanju opposite Ranbir Kapoor.
Career fluctuations and break (2019 to 2023)
In 2019, she starred in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, where she played a closeted lesbian. In this movie, her co-stars were Anil Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Juhi Chawla, and Regina Cassandra.
She took the film to challenge stereotypes about same-sex relationships. That year, she also appeared in The Zoya Factor, with Dulquer Salmaan, Sanjay Kapoor, and Angad Bedi.
She made a cameo in AK vs AK (2020). The film had actors including Anil Kapoor, Anurag Kashyap, Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor, and Yogita Bihani.
Her thriller Blind was shot in 2020 and released on JioCinema in July 2023, with Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak, Lillete Dubey, and Shubham Saraf.
Other work (fashion and music videos)
Sonam has also appeared in music videos like “Dheere Dheere” (2015) and Coldplay’s “Hymn for the Weekend” (2016).
In May 2017, Sonam and her sister Rhea launched their fashion label “Rheson”, which was sold through Shoppers Stop.
Sonam Kapoor Awards and Achievements
Sonam Kapoor has received awards for acting and also for style and public recognition. She has 20 wins and 45 nominations.
Early recognition (2008)
- For her debut film, Saawariya (2007), she received a Filmfare nomination for Best Female Debut.
- She also won the Stardust Award for Superstar of Tomorrow – Female for Saawariya.
Acting nominations before Neerja (2013 to 2015)
- She got her first Filmfare Best Actress nomination for Raanjhanaa (2013).
- For Khoobsurat (2014), she won a Stardust Award in the Best Actress (Comedy/Romance) category.
- For Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), she won the BIG Star Entertainment Award for Most Entertaining Actor in a Romantic Role – Female.
Major awards for Neerja (2016 to 2017)
Her biggest award run came for Neerja (2016).
- National Film Awards (64th): She received a Special Mention for her performance in Neerja.
- Filmfare Awards (62nd): She won the Critics’ Award for Best Actor (Female) for Neerja.
- Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (2016): She won Best Actress for Neerja.
- Asiavision Movie Awards (2016): She won both Icon of the Year and Best Actress for Neerja.
Other wins listed (2019 and style awards)
- She was the winner of the Zee Cine Awards for Extraordinary Icon for Social Change (2019).
- She also won the ETC Bollywood Business Awards for Highest Grossing Actress (linked to Veere Di Wedding and Sanju).
Controversies
Comment about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: A past comment by Sonam about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan got heavy criticism in the media. Sonam was referred to Aishwarya as an “aunty from another generation” during an old brand-related discussion, and later said she had been misquoted.
Remarks on nepotism: Sonam has often been questioned about nepotism because she comes from a film family. In April 2019, on Arbaaz Khan’s show Pinch, she spoke about what nepotism means and said she would take advantage of her father’s hard work, as he worked for his children. This statement also led to strong reactions online.
Players’ middle-finger scene and censor issue: During the promotions of Players (2012), the middle-finger gesture became a public issue. Hindustan Times reported that the Censor Board asked the makers to blur the gesture, and Sonam criticised the move and called it moral policing.
Dispute linked to Aisha (2010): It was reported that onam and actor Abhay Deol after Aisha (2010). The issue started after Abhay spoke about the film’s focus on styling and spending, and Sonam responded strongly.
Spat with writer Shobhaa De: Sonam reacted to Shobhaa De’s criticism of I Hate Luv Storys and later made sharp comments about her on a chat show.
Sonam Kapoor Net Worth
Sonam Kapoor’s net worth is estimated at around ₹115 crore ($12.05 million), and her annual salary is approximately ₹12 crore ($1.26 million).
She charges ₹7-₹8 crore ($733,676-$838,487) per film and ₹1-₹1.5 crore ($104,811-$157,216) for brand endorsements.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | ₹115 crore ($12.05 million) |
| Salary (Approx.) | ₹12 crore ($1.26 million) per year |
Sonam Kapoor Height, Weight, and Physical Stats
Here are the physical stats of Sonam Kapoor:
| Height | In centimetres: 175 cm In meters: 1.75 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 9 inches |
| Weight (approx.) | In kg: 55 kg In lbs: 121 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 34-26-34 inches |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
Sonam Kapoor Instagram, X, Facebook
 @sonamkapoor | |
| X |  @sonamakapoor |
 @OfficialSonamKapoor |
Interesting Facts About Sonam Kapoor
- Sonam was a “naughty” and “carefree” child.
- She played sports like rugby and basketball, and trained in Kathak, classical music, and Latin dance.
- She has two tattoos, one on her wrist, written “Faith,” and another on her hip, written “Sonam” in the Chinese language.
FAQs
What is Sonam Kapoor’s age?
Sonam Kapoor is 41 years old. She was born on 9 June 1985 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
When did Sonam Kapoor get married?
Sonam Kapoor married Anand Ahuja on 8 May 2018 in Mumbai (Bandra).
How many children does Sonam Kapoor have?
Sonam Kapoor has two sons, Vayu Kapoor Ahuja and Rudralokh Kapoor Ahuja.
Who are the parents of Sonam Kapoor?
Sonam Kapoor’s father is Anil Kapoor (Indian actor), and her mother is Sunita Kapoor (Costume Designer).
Did Sonam Kapoor have any relationships before marriage?
Sonam Kapoor was linked to filmmaker Punit Malhotra, but the relationship ended in 2013.
What was the first film of Sonam Kapoor?
Sonam Kapoor made her acting debut in Saawariya (2007).
What is the biggest award Sonam Kapoor has received?
Sonam Kapoor received a National Film Award Special Mention and also won the Filmfare Best Actress (Critics) for the film Neerja.
