Banita Sandhu on Love, Growth, and Becoming Her Own Person

There’s an old-world grace about Banita Sandhu—one that lingers between tradition and modernity, much like the world she represents. Born to British-Indian parents and raised between cultures, she embodies the nuanced poetry of belonging everywhere and nowhere at once. Her face, both familiar and enigmatic, carries that rare cinematic quality—a stillness that speaks. Whether she’s making a red-carpet appearance or fronting Manifest’s cover in a sculptural gown, there’s an undeniable air of self-possession about her, a woman entirely at ease in her own rhythm.

Banita’s story is not merely one of glamour or geography, but of grace—the kind that’s been shaped by dual heritage, discipline, and a deep curiosity for human emotion. Having begun her acting career at eleven, she’s grown into a performer whose work straddles continents and creative languages. But beyond the screen, she’s reflective, grounded, and refreshingly honest about the things that move her: love, identity, and the courage it takes to stand alone. Banita opens up about her evolving sense of home, the shifting meaning of love, and her admiration for enduring style icons. What unfolds is a portrait of a modern woman—rooted yet restless, elegant yet unguarded, and unafraid to define beauty and belonging on her own terms.

In Conversation with Banita Sandhu

Manifest: How did your childhood shape your sense of identity—culturally, creatively, emotionally?

Banita Sandhu: “Growing up in a British Indian immigrant household, I was exposed to a lot of different cultures. Although I grew up in a very British town, at home, we celebrated our Indian culture. My mom, in fact, ensured that my sister and I were immersed with Indian films, music, and fashion. And that shaped me to be a culturally fluid person, in fact, culture and identity are quite liminal for me.”

M: Did you always want to be an actor?

BS: “I was pretty sure from a very young age that I wanted to be an actor—I think I was 10 or 11 years old. I really enjoyed television and films growing up. I loved being immersed into different worlds. Perhaps it was a form of escapism… Every time I watched films and TV shows that I loved, I would imagine their world and put myself in it. I’m lucky that my parents took me seriously and helped me find an agent at such a young age.”

M: You’re currently living between the UK and India [Mumbai] to focus on your work. What does ‘home’ mean to you now?

BS: “Because of my cultural identity, I find home in different places. In India, I feel spiritually and culturally at home. And with the UK and parts of Europe, where I spent a lot of my childhood, I feel that nostalgic connection. I grew up on fish and chips and roast dinners, and a full English breakfast, but, at the same time, I love an aloo paratha or chole bhature—something wholesome and Punjabi. Some people might see it as a bad thing that your home is split between two countries or cities, but I see it as a blessing.”

M: How would you describe your personal style?

BS: “It’s structured and clean—I gravitate towards pieces with personality. Like the Amit Aggarwal gown I wore to the SAG Awards. It was such a cool, unusual piece.”

M: Are there style icons you admire?

BS: “Rekhaji, 1000%! She is iconic and has such an individual sense of style. You can recognise her from either her make-up, or her hairstyle, or her clothes. I think she’s incredible. And, in the West, it’s Rihanna. Not just because the clothes she wears, but also how she carries herself and how unapologetic she is.”

M: Do you ever think about your own wedding?

BS: “I’ve never really thought about my own wedding. I can’t imagine what kind of gown I’d wear. I know where I would have it and around what time of year I’d like to get married in, but I think that’s just because I love the idea of being abroad on vacation with my family and friends. And I would definitely embrace my Indian roots and tradition…but I think I would do something a little bit unconventional at the same time.”

M: If you were to envision your dream wedding trousseau, which designers would definitely be a part of it?

BS: “This is a really hard question I love a lot of designers. But purely from the perspective of the kind of bride I think I’d be, I would say Oscar de la Renta. But, I really can’t imagine my wedding dress because I’m seeing ten different ensembles by different designers.”

M: Are there any family heirlooms that you wish you inherit?

BS: “There are definitely a lot of really cool pieces that I’ve had my eye on for a long time, but I would rather not inherit them because the idea of inheritance scares me. I love my family so much and they can share it with me while they’re here. Having said that, I would love to wear my mother’s jewellery on my wedding day. I would imagine it would be such an emotional moment... of the joining of two families, and wearing an heirloom pieces for that sense of nostalgia, love, and connection would mean more to me than a new piece of jewellery.”

M: Tell us about a wedding that left a lasting impression on you?

BS: “This summer, I went to my best friend’s sister’s wedding in Tuscany—she married her high school sweetheart. They’ve been dating for 15 years, and I’ve known them both for over a decade. Seeing two souls who have really been through every journey of life together make that commitment and say their vows to each other—it was so emotional. I cried my eyes out. I literally washed my make-up off with my tears. I think it was such a beautiful moment, especially when you know two people really well in the family. Seeing her parents, and how happy they were…I think that feeling of family is what makes it so special—the loved ones and that connection.”

M: What does love mean to you at this stage in your life?

BS: “My idea of love has definitely evolved over the years—from seeing it as purely romantic to now believing that it can be an all-encompassing emotion. People associate this word with romance, but I would actually say that’s probably the least important version of love. Love is universal and I’ve learned that it is important to allow the love one has for oneself, and one’s family and friends to grow and blossom.”

M: What, in your opinion, are the cornerstones of a strong and happy relationship/marriage?

BS: “Honesty, integrity, compassion, and empathy. For a relationship to thrive, the couple needs to cultivate an environment in which freedom and commitment can coexist naturally. You should be able to feel free and secure at the same time.”

M: In today’s era of social media, and sometimes very public romance, what is your view on privacy vs being open about?

BS: “I mean I’ve honestly done both. I’ve shared when I’ve been in love and I’ve been very private and guarded about certain relationships. I think that feeling of wanting to show kind of ebbs and flows, and there’s no right or wrong way about it. It’s just what feels good and right to you in that moment. I’ve always kind of bled with my heart in that sense and I don’t really have an opinion about it. I think if it feels right for someone to share or to keep it private, that’s totally their prerogative.”

M: Do you believe in manifestation?

BS: “One thousand percent! Most of the time, I don’t even realise I’m doing it. Last year, my manager asked me what was my dream show to attend during Fashion Week, and I said Margiela. And exactly a year later, I went to the Margiela show, met Glenn Martens, and was seated close to Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner—it was crazy! I was like, ‘Oh my God, how did I end up here?’.”

M: How would people closest to you describe you?

BS: “Oh God, I have no idea. I honestly think the worst of myself sometimes, so I’ll probably really underestimate what they might say about me. But I think if I can say one thing about myself, it’s that I’ve had the same friends for over a decade. I’m incredibly loyal and as are they.”

M: What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

BS: “I cannot cook or drive, and I have somehow survived my whole life without doing either.”

M: Would you call yourself brave? What can women do to become braver in their everyday lives?

BS: “I definitely would call myself brave. I’ve taken a lot of risks in my life. I started my career really young, and I followed my dreams no matter what it entailed. This job isn’t always as glamorous as it looks—there are a lot of ups and downs, and I think you do have to be brave to sustain it and get through it. I would like to be kind to myself and say I’m brave even in the moments when I am vulnerable and feel weak. I think that a way women can become braver in their everyday lives is by saying no and not feeling bad about it. I think a lot of women, myself included, were raised to have this unconscious guilt—that we put other people before us or that we’re letting people down. I think it is really brave to set boundaries and stand up for yourself without feeling guilty—that is the most important part. It’s something I’m learning to subconsciously unpack as well.”

M: Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?

BS: “To not doubt myself and just go for it. I really do live by the saying that ‘If it’s not going to affect you in five years, you don’t need to be upset about it for more than five minutes’. Everyone goes through ups and downs, it’s just about how you deal with it, how you choose to react, and make the best of it.”

Photographs by Sushant Chhabria; Styling by Ruhani Singh; Hair: Umang Thapa at Anima; Creatives; Make-up: Riddhima Sharma at Entourage Talents; Fashion Assistant: Khushi Bhatia; Bookings Editor and Production: Varun Shah

This story appears in Manifest India’s September-October 2025 issue. Subscribe here for more stories like this.