Kunika

Kunickaa Sadanand (born 27 February 1964) is an Indian film actress and TV actress, advocate, producer and social activist. She is known for her various characters in many Indian films as both a villain and in comedic roles. In 2025, she participated in Bigg Boss 19.

Also a singer, she has released three pop albums titled Lakhon Mein Ek released in 1996, and Kunickaa which was released in 2002. She released her third album named Joombish (A Mystical Journey) on 2 May 2006.

Personal life Kunickaa hails from an Indian Air Force family. Her father served in the IAF. She has two brothers, Kabir Sadanand, who is an actor and a producer while her other brother is an officer in the IAF like their father. Kunickaa Sadanand has been married twice; her first marriage was with Abhay Kothari from Delhi. She has a son from this marriage. Her second marriage was with Vinay Lall (Mr. Lall) whom she married at the age of 35; together they have a son. She was romantically involved with Sunil Sikand (actor Pran's son) during the 80s and later with singer Kumar Sanu in late 90s. She, along with her business partner, created restaurants called "White - the Italian café", "Zingcafe", "Majestica – The Royal Banquet Hall", and a spa called "Exhale" in Goregaon in suburban Mumbai. The partnership however ended in 2007.

Kunickaa has conducted, organized and participated in over 100 stage shows in India and around the world. She also runs an event company called Karma Events and Entertainment.

Kunickaa has been actively involved in social activities like AIDS awareness campaigns for the last 20 years.

She launched Tara Charitable Trust on 15 August 2005. This trust aims at rebuilding lives of destitute people, helping the underprivileged and providing medical, educational and emotional succor to the needy. She is a trustee to the NGO CHIP (Children In Progress), Mumbai, which is actively working for child health and education.

TV and film career Since her teenage years, Kunickaa sadanand was keen to join the Indian TV industry as an actress. After doing a few TV serials in Delhi, she went to Mumbai to act in films. Manju Asrani, wife of well known comic actor Asrani gave Kunickaa the first break as an actress in a TV serial. Her second break was a role in the TV serial Adalat, directed by Dheeraj Kumar. Kunickaa began her film career at the age of 28 in a 1988 horror Hindi movie named Kabrastan. She has acted in many negative roles in movies like Beta, Gumraah and Khiladi. Kunickaa has acted in 110 films in 25 years.

Swabhimaan a TV serial, where she played mother to an 18-year-old breakthrough role that won her many plaudits. She acted in a TV serial called Kana Phoosi on Doordarshan and in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara on Star Plus. She was also seen in the reality TV show Box Cricket League on Sony Entertainment as a fielder from the team Pune Anmol Ratn, while most recently she played the character of Rani Durgavati in the TV serial Akbar Birbal on Big Magic. She is currently seen in &TV show Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls as a loud goan Christian Juliet Bai.

She is currently participating as a contestant in Bigg Boss 19.

Social Media Incident In February 2026, actress Kunickaa Sadanand criticized a social media troll who compared her son to singer Kumar Sanu using an AI-generated image. She condemned the comparison as inappropriate, calling it “out of hand” and defending her family’s privacy.

Filmography

Films

Year Film Role Notes2018Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2Celina's motherPakistani Film2016BhouriKaki 2014 Fugly Devi's mother 2011 Yeh Dooriyan Mrs. Arora Monica Judge Jihne Mera Dil Luteya Mrs. Bajwa Punjabi Film 2006 Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar Rammi Men Not Allowed Tom, Dick, and Harry Jassi Singh 2005 Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav Pradyuma's mother-in-law Page 3Monaz Modi 2004 Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin Prakash's wife Insaaf: The Justice Minister Rameshwari Verma Suno Sasurjee Mrs. Kiran Kumar 2003 Jodi Kya Banayi Wah Wah Ramji Bengali lady Khanjar: The Knife Pammi's girlfriend Andaaz Party guest Talaash: The Hunt Begins... Prema Malini Kyon? Mrs. Desai 2002 Tum Jiyo Hazaron Saal Mrs. Kapur 2001 Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love Sweety AuntyDil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (2001 film) Smt. Chopra 2000 Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya Manjula Woh Bewafa Thi Shikaar Nurse 1999 Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United Shanti Daag: The Fire Nurse Lily 1998 Wajood Mrs. Chawla Maharaja Mrs. Singh Qila Neelam Daniel Jaane JigarPyaar Kiya to darna kya Mrs. Khanna 1997 Dil Kitna Nadan Hai Koyla Rasili Judge Mujrim Dancer (in song "Khatra Shabnam Ka") Tamanna Actress Dhaal Mrs. Deodhar 1996 Shastra (1996 film) Sonia Fareb Brinda LoaferRaja Ki Aayegi BaraatSharda Devi Apne Dam Par Mamiji 1995 Takkar Sheena Vasudev The Don College professor Baazi Rani Jawab Kismat 1994 Hum Hain Bemisaal Mohra Flora Chhoti Bahoo Shobha Aa Gale Lag Jaa Mrs. Jagatpal Sharma Andaz (1994 film) Shobha (uncredited) 1993 15th August (1993 film) Phulwa Kasam Teri Kasam Tadipaar Mohinidevi's secretaryGardishShiva's Elder Sister Chandra Mukhi Lily Khoon Ka Sindoor Gumrah Female cop in Hong Kong Kohra Kitty Meri Aan Nagina Bai Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi The Monster Konica King Uncle Kamla (Guest appearance) 1992 Dil Hi To Hai (1992 film)Flower seller Heer Ranjha Bigo Aaj Ka Goonda Raj Chanda Khiladi Julie Zakhmi Sipahi Cameo, in song "O Chaila" Meera Ka Mohan Siyasat Bewaffa Se Waffa Nagma's aunt Beta Kunika 1991 Kaun Kare Kurbanie Kurbaan Gayatri Do Matwale Ayee Milan Ki Raat Dushman Devta Kamli Parakrami Unreleased movie Vishnu-Devaa Jeena Teri Gali Mein Jungle Beauty Haque Asha 1990 MajboorSushila Baaghi: A Rebel for Love Dhanraj's girlfriend Thanedaar Munni Agneekaal Madhu Saxena Doodh Ka Karz Munnijaan Bandh Darwaza Kamya Singh Amavas Ki Raat1989Paanch Paapi Sachai Ki Taqat Laxmi Kahan Hai KanoonRita Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni Pyarelal's wife MujrimMaria (uncredited) 1988 Kabrastan Kitty

Television shows

Web series TitleRolePlatformYearTaishBeejiZEE52020