Kiara Advani

Kiara Advani, born Alia Advani on July 31, 1991, is an Indian actress who works primarily in Hindi cinema. Recognized as one of the country's highest-paid actresses, she has received an IIFA Award and two Zee Cine Awards, alongside two Filmfare Award nominations. Beyond her film career, she is a prominent brand ambassador for major commercial products.

Advani was raised in Mumbai by her father, Jagdeep Advani, a Sindhi Hindu businessman, and her mother, Genevieve Jaffrey, a teacher of multi-ethnic lineage. She has a younger brother, Mishaal, who works in music. Her maternal relatives include actors Ashok Kumar and Saeed Jaffrey. After attending Cathedral and John Connon School, she graduated with a mass communications degree from Jai Hind College. Following a brief teaching stint, she renamed herself Kiara prior to her debut on the advice of Salman Khan, taking inspiration from a movie character in Anjaana Anjaani.

Advani made her acting debut in the 2014 comedy Fugly, earning a Screen Award nomination for debut actress. In 2016, she played Sakshi Rawat in the highly successful biographical sports drama M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story. After appearing in the action film Machine, she received critical acclaim in 2018 for her role in Karan Johar's segment of the Netflix anthology Lust Stories. She also expanded into Telugu cinema that year, starring in the high-grossing political thriller Bharat Ane Nenu.

Her career experienced a major breakthrough in 2019 with the romantic drama Kabir Singh, which became her highest-earning release, followed by the comedy Good Newwz, for which she won an IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2020, she led the Netflix drama Guilty, securing a Filmfare OTT Award nomination, and starred in Laxmii as well as Indoo Ki Jawani.

Advani gained further praise and a Filmfare Best Actress nomination for playing Dimple Cheema in the 2021 biographical war film Shershaah. She maintained her success in 2022 by starring in the horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and the ensemble drama Jugjugg Jeeyo, as well as the streaming film Govinda Naam Mera. In 2023, she starred in the romantic drama Satyaprem Ki Katha, receiving further critical appreciation and award nods.

In 2025, Advani headlined two high-budget action films, Game Changer and War 2. The following year, she made her debut in Kannada cinema as a circus artist in the gangster drama Toxic, undergoing international training for aerial routines and continuing to film during her pregnancy.

Advani married actor Sidharth Malhotra in February 2023 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and they have a daughter named Saraayah. Alongside her acting career, she supports multiple charitable initiatives, including hunger relief campaigns and assistance for entertainment industry wage workers.