Banita Sandhu caught the attention of many as she starred alongside Canadian singer-rapper AP Dhillon in his latest music video “With You.” Here’s all you need to know about her.
Banita Sandhu, the enigmatic figure, caught the attention of many as she starred alongside Canadian singer-rapper AP Dhillon in his latest music video “With You.” The on-screen chemistry between them sparked speculation about their relationship, as they shared affectionate moments during a vacation together.
Banita Sandhu appeared in October film
However, a closer look would remind some of us that Banita Sandhu isn’t a complete stranger. She previously appeared in Shoojit Sircar’s film “October.” Interestingly, Shoojit Sircar stumbled upon Banita when she featured in a Vodafone advertisement. This encounter led to her being cast in a four-minute Wrigley’s commercial, which garnered an impressive 40 million views. This marked the inception of her journey, eventually leading her to secure the lead role opposite Varun Dhawan in “October.”
Shoojit Sircar, renowned for directing films like “Vicky Donor” and “Piku,” confessed in an interview with Filmfare, “Banita left everyone awestruck after the gum commercial that I directed. During the ad shoot, I took a photo of Banita and shared it with Juhi Chaturvedi (the writer), saying, ‘She has the potential to embody the character we’re crafting.’ Remarkably, at the time she received the offer for “October,” Banita was still pursuing her studies at King’s College London.
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Banita Sandhu personal life
Banita, hailing from Caerleon, Wales, embraced the challenge of learning Hindi for her role in the October shoot. Reflecting on her time in Delhi, she shared how the experience allowed her to reconnect with her British-Indian heritage. The shoot spanned 37 days, during which she not only honed her acting skills but also delved into her roots. Her grandparents had migrated to Britain from northern India after World War Two, and she emphasized her family’s journey in an interview with BBC.
Banita’s upbringing in a middle-class environment in Caerleon alongside her sister, born to British-Indian parents, added depth to her background.
In the film, Banita portrayed a Hotel Management Trainee whose life takes a tragic turn in October. This role was a departure from the typical song-and-dance formula, as her character, Shiuli Iyer, was confined to a hospital bed for a significant part of the movie. Audiences were captivated by the emotive power of her eyes and her nurturing on-screen presence. Her exceptional performance earned her a nomination for Best Female Debut at the 2019 Filmfare Awards, cementing her impact on the cinematic landscape.
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Banita Sandhu in Sardar Udham
After their collaboration on “October,” Shoojit Sircar once again chose Banita for a role, this time alongside Vicky Kaushal in the 2021 film “Sardar Udham.” However, this endeavor presented a unique challenge. Banita’s character, Reshma, was portrayed as deaf and mute, necessitating her mastery of sign language and the ability to convey emotions solely through non-verbal cues.
Sandhu sparked controversy during Covid-19
In a different turn of events, during the pandemic, Banita sparked controversy with a social media post. She revealed that despite testing positive for COVID-19, she chose to decline medical treatment, a decision that garnered attention and debate.
An official had told PTI that Banita refused to be treated in a government facility as “she felt the medical establishment lacked infrastructure”. Then in a clarification statement, she said, “I appreciate all the well wishes and concern; however, in spite of what has been published, I am grateful to say I continue to test negative for coronavirus. To clarify some of the misinformation: I flew to Kolkata on the 3rd of January to finish filming Kavita & Teresa. I had two negative COVID-19 PCR tests before leaving. I tested again on arrival and stayed in isolation at the CNCI hospital overnight until my results returned the next day, one a false positive and the other negative.”
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