Kunickaa Sadanand is an Indian actress, lawyer, social activist, and entrepreneur who has built a multifaceted career spanning entertainment, law, and philanthropy. Rising to prominence in the 1990s for her strong negative roles in Bollywood films like Beta, Khiladi, and Gumraah, she has reinvented herself multiple times throughout her life. In 2025, she entered Bigg Boss 19, bringing her candid and fearless personality back into mainstream conversations after years of focusing on legal and social work.
This biography covers essential details about Kunickaa Sadanand age, her diverse career trajectory, family structure, relationships, and why she remains a compelling figure in contemporary Indian media.
Who is Kunickaa Sadanand?
Kunickaa Sadanand is a multi-talented professional who has excelled in entertainment, law, and business simultaneously. Rather than staying confined to one industry, she has pursued parallel careers as an actress, qualified legal advocate, and social entrepreneur. This unconventional approach has made her a unique figure in Indian public life.
Her distinctive career path reflects someone unafraid of reinvention. When acting roles became scarce, she pursued formal legal education. When businesses faced challenges, she established charitable trusts focused on grassroots development.
Kunickaa Sadanand Age – How Old is She?
Kunickaa Sadanand age is 61 years old as of early 2026. She was born on February 27, 1964, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Her zodiac sign is Pisces, often associated with creativity, emotional depth, and adaptability—traits evident throughout her life journey.
Caste and Religion
Kunickaa Sadanand practices Hinduism as her religion. Regarding caste, while sources confirm she comes from a South Indian family through her father Manjunath Sadanand, specific caste identifications have not been publicly disclosed by Kunickaa herself. She maintains privacy on this aspect of her identity, which is appropriate given contemporary social sensitivities around caste-based discussions in India.
Kunickaa Sadanand Biography / Wiki
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kunickaa Sadanand |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1964 (Thursday) |
| Age (2026) | 61 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 65 kg |
| Professions | Actress, Legal Advocate, Producer, Social Activist, Singer |
| Years Active | 1988–Present (37+ years) |
| Film Debut | Kabrastan (1988) |
| Current Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Bigg Boss 19 | Contestant (2025) |
Early Life and Background
Kunickaa was born into a distinguished military family. Her father, Air Vice Marshal Manjunath Sadanand, served with distinction in the Indian Air Force. Her mother, Kalyani Sadanand, brought artistic sensibilities to the household. Growing up in this environment instilled discipline, resilience, and respect for service.
She has three siblings—two brothers (Sadheer Sadanand and Kabir Sadanand, who is a renowned film director and actor) and sisters including Shivani Tijori (fashion designer) and Sonika Sadanand. Her brother Kabir’s success in cinema provided some family connection to entertainment, though Kunickaa carved her own independent path.
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Kunickaa Sadanand Education
Kunickaa pursued formal education in law and social sciences, demonstrating intellectual ambition beyond acting. She earned a Bachelor of Legal Sciences and Bachelor of Legislative Law in Human Rights from the University of Mumbai.
Recognizing the value of advanced qualifications in her later career, she completed a degree in Forensics from The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad. Between 2018 and 2020, she pursued an LLM in specialized legal fields, culminating in her practicing as a registered legal advocate.
Kunickaa Sadanand Career
Theatre and Television (Late 1980s)
Kunickaa began her entertainment journey in Delhi, performing in theatre productions before relocating to Mumbai to pursue Bollywood opportunities. Her early work was limited, but she gained experience in live performance and character development.
Film Debut and Bollywood Rise (1988–1990s)
She made her film debut at age 28 in the horror film Kabrastan (1988), playing the role of Kitty. This unconventional debut in a niche genre set the tone for her career—she was never a conventional heroine but rather a character-driven performer.
Throughout the 1990s, she appeared in over 100 films, earning recognition for playing strong negative roles and complex characters. Notable films include Beta (1992), Gumraah (1995), Khiladi (1998), Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999), and Karan Arjun (1995). Her distinctive voice and commanding screen presence made her memorable despite often playing antagonistic characters.
Television Success (1990s–2000s)
Parallel to her film work, she appeared in popular Hindi television serials including Swabhimaan, Kasamh Se, and Madhubala. Television allowed her greater visibility and consistent work compared to the unpredictable film industry.
Entrepreneurship (2000–2018)
In 2000, she became the proprietor of Karma Events & Entertainment, an events management company. Over nearly two decades, she organized over 100 stage shows across India, demonstrating business acumen beyond entertainment performance.
On August 15, 2005, she founded Tara Charitable Trust, a non-profit organization providing medical, educational, and emotional support to underprivileged populations. She also served as trustee and governing council member of CHIP (Children in Progress), an NGO focused on child health and education.
Legal Practice and Social Work (2018–Present)
In October 2018, she formally registered as a legal advocate in Mumbai, practicing law while maintaining her entertainment and social work involvement. She represents clients in legal matters while contributing her income to charitable causes.
Bigg Boss 19 Return (2025)
After years away from mainstream entertainment, she entered Bigg Boss 19, bringing her unfiltered perspective to the reality competition. Her outspoken nature and willingness to discuss her complex personal life generated significant viewership and social media engagement.
Kunickaa Sadanand Family
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Air Vice Marshal Manjunath Sadanand (Deceased) |
| Mother | Kalyani Sadanand |
| First Husband | Abhay Kothari (Marwari businessman, 13 years her senior; married at 16) |
| Second Husband | Vinay Lall (American; married at 35 in 1999; divorced 2006) |
| First Son | Arihant Kothari (from first marriage; chose to live with father after custody battle) |
| Second Son | Ayaan Lall (from second marriage; Actor, Film Director, Producer at Guiding Star Entertainment) |
| Third Son | Karan Lall (from second marriage; won Numero Uno award at Cascade23) |
| Granddaughters | Ayaan Lall’s daughters (surprised her during Bigg Boss 19 family week) |
| Sister | Sonika Sadanand |
| Brother | Kabir Sadanand (Film Director & Actor), Sadheer Sadanand |
| Sister-in-law | Shivani Tijori (Fashion Designer, married to actor Deepak Tijori) |
Kunickaa Sadanand Husbands and Marriages
First Marriage: Abhay Kothari
It is worth noting that Kunickaa married Abhay Kothari at the extremely young age of 16, making this union both legally and personally controversial. Kothari was a Marwari businessman 13 years her senior, indicating significant power imbalance in the relationship.
She became pregnant before marriage, a fact she later disclosed openly in interviews with Siddharth Kannan. Their son, Arihant Kothari, was born, but the marriage deteriorated within three years. Following their separation, Kunickaa endured an 8-year custody battle, eventually losing custody when her teenage son chose to remain with his father.
This painful experience shaped her perspective on marriage and motherhood throughout her later life.
Second Marriage: Vinay Lall
After nearly a decade alone, Kunickaa married Vinay Lall, an American, at age 35 in 1999. Unlike her first marriage, this union occurred without family involvement—she describes the Kanya Daan (ceremonial gifting of the bride) being performed by her husband’s friends rather than family.
With Vinay, she had two sons: Ayaan Lall and Karan Lall. However, this marriage also failed, ending in divorce in 2006 after seven years together.
Kumar Sanu Relationship (1993–1997)
Beyond her marriages, Kunickaa’s most controversial relationship was with renowned playback singer Kumar Sanu. They met during a film shoot in Ooty in the early 1990s, when Kumar Sanu was experiencing marital difficulties.
It is worth noting that Kunickaa’s relationship with Kumar Sanu began while he was still legally married, with their involvement verified through multiple credible sources including her interviews with Siddharth Kannan in January 2025. Their relationship lasted approximately 5-6 years, during which Kumar Sanu was living separately from his wife.
Kunickaa described herself as “like a wife to him,” supporting him emotionally during his personal crises. At one point, Kumar Sanu allegedly attempted self-harm during their time together, and Kunickaa became his emotional anchor. Eventually, they parted ways, and Kumar Sanu married his current wife, Saloni, with whom he has two daughters.
Kunickaa Sadanand Net Worth
Kunickaa Sadanand net worth is estimated at approximately ₹8–10 Crores (approximately $1–1.2 million USD) as of 2026.
Her wealth accumulates through multiple income streams:
- Film and Television Earnings — Over 100 film appearances and decades of TV work
- Karma Events & Entertainment — Event management company operating for 25+ years
- Tara Charitable Trust — Fund management and operations
- Legal Practice — Hourly rates as a registered advocate
- Music Recordings — Three pop albums including Lakhon Mein Ek (1996) and Joombish (2006)
- Reality TV Appearance — Bigg Boss 19 competition prize money and post-show endorsements
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