Sadia Khateeb: From Engineer to Bollywood’s New Sensation

Sadia Khateeb: From Engineer to Bollywood’s New Sensation

Sadia Khateeb, born on September 18, 1997, in Bhaderwah, Jammu & Kashmir, made the leap from an electrical engineering student to a promising actress in Hindi cinema. Her journey is defined by unexpected opportunities, powerful performances, and strong convictions both on and off-screen.


Early Life & Entry into Films

  • Born and educated in a supportive family—parents Shahida and the late Aylas Khateeb, with siblings Atif and Rumysa 

  • Ranked 10th in her 12th-grade board exams, Sadia enrolled in GCET for electrical engineering 

  • At age 20, she was unexpectedly scouted by casting director Indu Sharma and landed the lead role in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Shikara (2020) after three years of secrecy and dedication 


Career Breakthroughs

  • Shikara (2020): Debuted as Shanti Dhar, earning a Filmfare nomination for Best Female Debut for her natural and emotive portrayal 

  • Raksha Bandhan (2022): Portrayed Akshay Kumar’s sister Gayatri; praised for her emotional depth in a family drama that struck a chord with audiences 

  • The Diplomat (2025): Stars opposite John Abraham as Uzma Ahmed—a gripping performance earning commendation for intense emotional authenticity, box-office success, and widespread acclaim 

Beyond the Screen

  • An advocate for women’s rights, Sadia has spoken powerfully on the need for women to stand up against domestic violence and protect their dignity She credits her mother, sister, and female friends as her greatest inspirations, encouraging women to know their rights and pursue their dreams confidently .


Upcoming Projects

Currently signed for a new film directed by Omung Kumar, co-starring Harshvardhan Rane—set to go on floors later this year 

Filmography at a Glance

YearProjectRole
2020ShikaraShanti Dhar
2022Raksha BandhanGayatri Agarwal
2025The DiplomatUzma Ahmed
2025+UpcomingOmung Kumar film

FAQs: Everything You Want to Know About Sadia Khateeb

1. What’s Sadia Khateeb’s educational background?
She pursued electrical engineering at GCET in Jammu before transitioning to acting 

2. How did she land her first role?
At age 20, a casting director contacted her out of the blue, leading to her debut role in Shikara after three years of secretive filming 

3. Which performances have defined her career?
Her role in Shikara fetched her a Filmfare nomination; Raksha Bandhan showcased emotional range; The Diplomat earned praise for raw intensity and emotional depth 


4. Is Sadia active on social media?
Yes, she has a growing presence (25k+ Instagram followers), sharing insights into her personality and passions .


5. What causes does she advocate for?
Sadia champions women’s rights, encourages survivors of domestic violence to speak up, and promotes the importance of knowing one’s legal rights 


6. What’s next for her?
She’s set to appear in an Omung Kumar-directed film alongside Harshvardhan Rane, expected to begin shooting later this year