Sonam Bajwa is a force of nature in the colorful world of Indian cinema, where regional styles mix with mainstream glamor. She was born into a humble Punjabi Sikh family. Now, she has gone from the aisles of an airplane to the big screen, where she has wowed audiences with her effortless charm, great style, and powerful performances. Bajwa is 36 years old and is one of the highest-paid leading ladies in Punjabi cinema. She is also breaking down barriers in Bollywood, showing that talent knows no language. As she finishes up high-energy projects like Baaghi 4 and gets ready for more, let’s take a look at the life of this multi-talented star.
Early Life and the Jump to Fame
Sonam Bajwa was born Sonampreet Bajwa on August 16, 1989, in the peaceful hills of Nainital, Uttarakhand, which was then part of Uttar Pradesh. She grew up in a middle-class Punjabi family in nearby Nanakmatta, Rudrapur. Her childhood wasn’t without its quirks; she once shared in a 2024 interview that she changed her name from Sanobar to Sonam in first grade after classmates teased her by mispronouncing it as “Sarovar.” Bajwa went to Jaycees Public School in Rudrapur and then graduated from the University of Delhi. At first, she wanted to be adventurous and poised, not famous.
After college, she worked as an air hostess, which helped her become more disciplined and see the world in a new way. But the camera was too strong to resist. She moved to Mumbai in 2012 and entered the Femina Miss India contest, where she came in second place. This led to modeling jobs. Her first paycheck? She got a small amount of ₹8,500 for a modeling job, which she keeps as a reminder of where she came from. Bajwa was a finalist for a part in Shah Rukh Khan’s Happy New Year, which went to Deepika Padukone. However, she ended up in the booming Punjabi film industry, where she found her true calling.
Punjabi Cinema’s Rise: Hits, Heart, and Awards
Bajwa made his acting debut in 2013 in the romantic comedy Best of Luck, which also starred Gippy Grewal and Jazzy B. She brought new life to the movie as Simran, making her a promising new actress. But it was in 2014 that she became famous. In the movie Punjab 1984, directed by Anurag Singh, she and Diljit Dosanjh played lovers in a moving story set in the turbulent 1980s. The movie’s emotional depth won her a lot of praise, making her a strong lead.
There were a lot of big movies in the middle of the 2010s. She starred in the hit action-drama Nikka Zaildar with Ammy Virk in 2016, and then in the superhero movie Super Singh with Dosanjh again. Her chemistry with leading men became her signature—playful in Sardaar Ji 2 (2016), intense in Manje Bistre (2017), and riotous in Carry on Jatta 2 (2018), which grossed over ₹30 crore worldwide. Bajwa had a very busy year in 2019, with five releases. One of them was the family comedy Guddiyan Patole, where she out-earned her male co-stars and became Pollywood’s top earner. Another was the revenge thriller Ardab Mutiyaran, for which she won the PTC Punjabi Film Award for Best Actress in 2020.
She didn’t want to be typecast, so she made her Tamil debut in the romantic comedy Kappal (2014) and her Telugu debut in Aatadukundam Raa (2016). She has starred in more than 20 Punjabi films, all of which mix romance, action, and comedy with ease. Bajwa has won two PTC awards and been nominated for four Filmfare Awards Punjabi, including for Manje Bistre and Nikka Zaildar 2. This shows how dominant she is in the industry.
Bollywood Beckons: A Star on the National Stage
Punjabi movies made her a star, and Hindi movies have been her exciting next chapter. Bajwa made her first appearance in 2019 as a supporting character in Bala, where she played the confident Pari. She had a small part in Street Dancer 3D (2020) with Varun Dhawan, but she really hit it big in Bollywood in 2025.
In the huge hit Housefull 5, which came out in two versions, 5A and 5B, each with a twisty ending, she starred with Riteish Deshmukh. The movie made a lot of money that year. Critics said that her comedic timing was a breath of fresh air in the middle of all the chaos. Then came Baaghi 4, where she portrayed a bar dancer opposite Tiger Shroff in a high-stakes actioner directed by A. Harsha. On September 5, 2025, film critic Shachi Chaturvedi praised her “decent performance” even though the character didn’t have much of a story arc.
More is coming up in the future: Nikka Zaildar 4 (Punjabi, 2025) brings her back together with Ammy Virk for the fourth installment of the popular series. Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat (Hindi, post-production, late 2025) puts her in a romantic drama, and Border 2 (Hindi, filming for 2026) puts her in a patriotic ensemble. Bajwa is writing a crossover story with these that is both inspiring and unavoidable.
Beyond the Reels: Style, Faith, and Furry Friends
Bajwa is a trendsetter off-screen. She has been named Chandigarh Times’ Most Desirable Woman three times (2016, 2017, and 2019) for her fashion sense, which includes elegant ethnic wear and bold Western outfits. She loves dogs and has a strict fitness routine. She is a brand ambassador for Lux, Puma, L’Oréal, and other companies. Her dog, Simba, often steals the show on her Instagram (@sonambajwa, with millions of followers).
She talked about her spiritual side in a frank 2017 social media post. She was born Sikh but followed Jesus without becoming a Christian. “I follow Jesus, but I’m not a religious Christian,” she wrote, accepting her faith on her own terms. Bajwa is single and keeps her personal life private. She is very close to actress Kaajal Jain and has denied rumors that she is related to Punjabi star Neeru Bajwa.
A Legacy in the Making
Sonam Bajwa’s story is one of strength. She has been through a lot, from the hills of Uttarakhand to the marquees of Mumbai, from modeling ramps to award stages. As the highest-paid star in Punjabi cinema becomes the new face of Bollywood, she reminds us that hard work and grace are what make someone famous. Bajwa is not just acting; she is changing what is possible. With Border 2 coming out soon and her influence spreading across industries, In a world full of formulas, she’s the unexpected person we didn’t know we needed. Sonam Bajwa is just getting started, so keep an eye on this space.
