'Started Earning At 18': Kritika Kamra On Financial Security, Identity, & Success

From her early days of dominating our television screens to nailing the OTT game today, Kritika Kamra has had a fascinating journey; the kind that countless young girls dream of: a chance discovery in college, a move to Bollywood-capital Mumbai, living and earning independently by 18, and a steady transition from popular daily soaps to acclaimed roles in films and web series.

In her early days, she navigated finances, responsibilities, and uncertainty by herself, often through trial and error. "I am self-taught in many ways, and I am still learning," Kritika told SheThePeople.

Yet, her journey has never been about chasing visibility alone. "My father always said, 'You must make your own money and have your own identity.' So that sense of independence came naturally to me."

Perhaps that's why Kritika's latest role in The Great Shamsuddin Family feels so real and relatable. She plays Bani, a strong-willed, single everywoman balancing family, identity, and personal choice.

Kritika shares the screen with Juhi Babbar, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Farida Jalal, Sheeba Chaddha, Purab Kohli, Dolly Ahaluwalia, Natasha Rastogi, and Joyeeta Dutta in this comedy-drama packed with a bite.

Kritika Kamra on her recent film

The Great Shamsuddin Family, directed by Anusha Rizvi, follows a female-dominated Muslim household in Delhi, whose humour, chaos, and intimate conversations unpack the pressures placed on women like Bani.

"There’s a lot of Kritika in Bani, and a lot of Bani in all of us," Kritika expressed. The character’s struggles resonate strongly with women navigating their ambitions, expectations, and multiple responsibilities.

What makes Bani so compelling are her flaws. "Anusha Rizvi writes characters like real people. They're messy, layered, not always making the right decisions, yet still likeable and dependable," Kritika notes.

The dialogue is conversational, reflecting real-life exchanges between family members, with moments of prodding and leg-pulling. Through these interactions, the characters' inner complex worlds unfold.

Women, conversations, and realities

One of the most striking aspects of The Great Shamsuddin Family is the women breaking free from internalised patriarchy and gender roles to discuss politics, money, and difficult relationships.

For Kritika, this shift from conventional portrayals of women is deeply personal. "I am drawn to characters with multiple dimensions, their own identity, a backstory, a journey, and a purpose in the story."

"It’s not very often that you find women in really key roles in a lot of stories. And I don’t mean that women always have to be at the centre. Even if it’s a woman navigating a man’s world, I just want to bring value to the story." -Kritika Kamra

Success beyond numbers

Kritika defines success rather unconventionally. "Success is transient, especially in our business. There are always highs and lows. You can’t let someone else’s definition of success define your journey," she shared.

As an artiste, Kritika's focus is on growth, meaningful roles, and well-written characters rather than just viewership or social media metrics. Portraying Bani Shamsuddin was one step in that direction. 

She notes that the character reinforced her belief in the power of a good story finding its audience. "The personal messages we’ve received show people see themselves in Bani. That’s a win," she said. 

Kritika hopes audiences continue to discover the film and connect with its characters. "Every character has something to offer. Even the smaller ones play a big part. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience."