Sonam Bajwa is one of the most familiar faces in contemporary Punjabi cinema. She began her public journey as a model, moved into regional films, and steadily built a reputation for versatility and box-office appeal
Over the last decade she has starred in hit comedies, strong women-led dramas, and pan-Indian projects that expanded her reach beyond Punjabi audiences.
This biography covers her early life, rise in films, notable roles, awards, business side, and frequently asked questions.
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Table of Contents
Sonam Bajwa’s Biography
Early life and background
Sonampreet Bajwa was born on 16 August 1989 in a Punjabi family in Nainital, in what was then Uttar Pradesh and today lies in Uttarakhand.
She spent her early years in the north of India and later moved to Delhi for higher education. Before she entered films she worked as an air hostess and pursued modelling.
Her early public visibility rose when she took part in the Femina Miss India contest in 2012. Those early steps into modelling and pageantry helped her transition to the regional film industry.1
Thank you for such kind words 🙏🏼 https://t.co/kb2JhrrVCE
— Sonam Bajwa (@bajwasonam) October 25, 2025
Stats Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sonampreet Bajwa (stage name: Sonam Bajwa) |
| Date of birth | 16 August 1989. |
| Place of birth | Nainital, (then Uttar Pradesh; now Uttarakhand), India. |
| Education | Graduate — University of Delhi (studies). |
| Early career | Model, participant in Femina Miss India 2012, former air hostess. |
| Film industries | Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi (select works). |
| Years active | 2013 — present. |
| Notable films | Best of Luck (2013), Punjab 1984 (2014), Manje Bistre (2017), Carry on Jatta 2 (2018), Ardab Mutiyaran (2019), Honsla Rakh (2021), Godday Godday Chaa (2023/2024). |
| Major awards | PTC Punjabi Film Award — Best Actress (Ardab Mutiyaran). Nominations at Filmfare Awards Punjabi; part of National Award winning project recognition (recent). |
| Estimated net worth | Reported estimates vary; several outlets put ballpark between ₹30–50 crore, with reported per-film fees in the multiple crores range. Figures are media estimates and can change. |
Debut and Early Roles
Sonam made her acting debut in the Punjabi film Best of Luck in 2013. That debut placed her quickly on the radar of Punjabi producers and audiences.
After a debut year she began to get more offers across genres. Her early years show a steady pattern: choose a mix of commercial comedies and content-driven drama.
This combination helped her build a fan base and earn critical notice at the same time.2
Rise to Stardom: Major Films and Turning Points
Sonam Bajwa’s film choices show both commercial instincts and a willingness to explore varied characters. Below are some of her important screen projects and why they mattered.
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Best of Luck (2013) — Her on-screen debut. It introduced her to Punjabi audiences and launched her film career.
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Punjab 1984 (2014) — A high-profile, critically respected Punjabi film in which she worked alongside veteran actors. Films like this helped her be seen in more serious cinema as well as mass-market projects.
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Sardaar Ji 2 (2016) and Nikka Zaildar series (2016–2017) — These films boosted her box-office value and visibility in mainstream Punjabi comedy and romance.
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Manje Bistre (2017) and Carry on Jatta 2 (2018) — Both were commercial hits and consolidated her status as a bankable leading lady for family comedies and romantic films.
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Ardab Mutiyaran (2019) — A women-led film that foregrounded female characters and their agency. Sonam’s performance won her the PTC Punjabi Film Award for Best Actress. This role is often cited as one of her strongest.3
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Honsla Rakh (2021) — A commercial success with major Punjabi stars. Her participation in family-oriented, star-led comedies kept her profile high.
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Godday Godday Chaa (2023/2024) — A film that received notable recognition and contributed to a wider national spotlight. The film’s accolades and festival or awards recognition helped affirm Sonam’s position in films that address cultural narratives with a strong emotional core. Recent reporting notes the film’s recognition at the National Film Awards level, which reflects well on the cast and crew.4
Each of these projects contributed to an image of Sonam as an actor willing to balance commercial appeal with roles that demand depth and presence.
Work across Languages
Although Sonam is best known for Punjabi films, she has taken roles in other Indian film industries. She made her Tamil debut in Kappal and her Telugu debut with Aatadukundam Raa.
Those south-Indian projects helped broaden her audience and showed her adaptability. She has also taken select Hindi or pan-Indian projects when the material matched her interests.
This cross-industry work is a common route for regional stars looking to expand influence.
Notable Collaborations and On-screen Pairings
Sonam has worked with several leading Punjabi actors and directors. She has shared screens with stars like Diljit Dosanjh and Gippy Grewal and has been part of hit ensembles in family comedies.
Her on-screen chemistry with co-stars in films like Carry on Jatta 2 and Honsla Rakh was a factor in the box-office performance of those films. These successful pairings increased demand for her in mainstream Punjabi productions.
Awards, Recognition and Milestones
Over the years Sonam Bajwa has been nominated for several awards and has won notable prizes:
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PTC Punjabi Film Awards — Winner for Best Actress for Ardab Mutiyaran (2020 PTC awards cycle).
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Filmfare Awards Punjabi — Multiple nominations across 2017–2019 for performances such as Manje Bistre and Nikka Zaildar 2.
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National recognition — Films she has been part of have received broader accolades and festival attention. Recent coverage noted a film associated with Sonam winning national-level recognition, contributing to her industry prestige.
Awards are one way to measure industry respect. For Sonam, a mix of popular hits and critics’ praise has created steady momentum.
Brand Endorsements
As a popular star, Sonam Bajwa has been associated with brands and advertising campaigns. Her public image mixes glamour with an approachable persona.
She often appears in fashion and lifestyle features and uses social media to connect with fans. Her brand value in Punjabi cinema has made her one of the better paying actresses in regional films, according to media coverage.
That positioning also explains why she is frequently cast in films that aim for mass family audiences.5
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Earnings and Net Worth
Media outlets report that Sonam charges a significant fee per film and that her estimated net worth places her among the higher-earning actors in Punjabi cinema.
Exact numbers vary by source. Some recent reports list her net worth in the range of ₹30–50 crore and suggest per-film remuneration in the region of several crores.
These are media estimates and should be treated as approximations. Financial details are not usually disclosed publicly in full, so estimates vary by calculation method and the year of reporting.
Personal Life
Sonam Bajwa keeps much of her personal life private. In public interviews she has spoken about her background, work ethic, and approach to roles.
Like many public figures, she balances public life with a degree of privacy for family and personal matters. She has been candid about early career struggles, learning the craft, and the value of choosing roles that challenge her.
There are no widely reported controversies tied to her name that have altered her career trajectory in a major way.
Social and Cultural Impact
Sonam’s rising career mirrors an important trend in Indian regional cinema: women-led projects are becoming commercially viable and critically respected.
Sonam’s participation in films that emphasize female agency has contributed to the gradual expansion of roles available to actresses in Punjabi cinema.
Her success helps validate stories where women are central characters and not simply romantic foils. That is a meaningful shift for regional film industries that have long prioritized male-centric tales.
Challenges Faced
Like any actor working in regional industries, Sonam faced challenges such as typecasting, competition, and the pressure to balance commercial choices with meaningful work.
She responded by choosing diverse projects across genres and languages. The move to take roles in south-Indian films and occasional Hindi projects shows a willingness to adapt.
She has also taken roles that show different sides of her acting range, from light comedy to strong dramatic parts. That versatility has been a clear factor in sustaining her career.
Filmography
Below is a curated list to show the arc of her career. This is not exhaustive but captures important entries.
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Best of Luck (2013) — Punjabi — debut.
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Punjab 1984 (2014) — Punjabi — early significant project.
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Kappal (Tamil) — supporting role / appearance in Tamil cinema.
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Aatadukundam Raa (2016) — Telugu debut.
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Sardaar Ji 2 (2016) — Punjabi — commercial entertainer.
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Nikka Zaildar series (2016–2017) — Punjabi — popular franchise entries.
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Manje Bistre (2017) — Punjabi — major box-office hit.
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Carry on Jatta 2 (2018) — Punjabi — one of the biggest Punjabi comedies commercially.
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Ardab Mutiyaran (2019) — Punjabi — award-winning turn.
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Honsla Rakh (2021) — Punjabi — commercially successful family drama.
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Godday Godday Chaa (2023/2024) — Punjabi — national recognition via awards circuits.6
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FAQ’s
Q1: When and where was Sonam Bajwa born?
A: Sonampreet Bajwa was born on 16 August 1989 in Nainital, in what was then Uttar Pradesh and is today part of Uttarakhand.
Q2: What was Sonam’s first film?
A: Her acting debut was the Punjabi film Best of Luck in 2013.
Q3: Has she worked outside Punjabi cinema?
A: Yes. Sonam has worked in other Indian film industries. She made a Telugu debut with Aatadukundam Raa and has been part of a Tamil film (Kappal).
Q4: What are Sonam Bajwa’s notable awards?
A: She won the PTC Punjabi Film Award for Best Actress for Ardab Mutiyaran. She has other nominations including Filmfare Punjabi nominations.
Q5: What is her estimated net worth?
A: Media estimates vary. Recent reports placed her net worth in the tens of crores of rupees. Reported per-film fees have been cited in media as being around the multi-crore range. These numbers are estimates and may vary across sources.
Q6: Is she active on social media?
A: Yes. Sonam is active on social platforms and often shares film updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes posts. For accurate handles, look for the verified accounts on Instagram and X/Twitter.
Q7: What kind of roles does she prefer?
A: She has chosen a mix. She stars in commercial comedies and takes on women-led dramas. In recent years she has shown a preference for roles that offer strong female perspectives.
Conclusion
Sonam Bajwa’s career offers a clear example of a modern regional star who combines mainstream box-office projects with films that aim to tell richer stories.
She has consistently expanded her range, moved between languages, and sought roles that allow her to develop as an actor.
Her increasing recognition at award forums and the reported commercial valuation of her stardom reflect a steady rise rather than a sudden spike.
For readers interested in Punjabi cinema or in actors who are bridging regional and pan-Indian projects, Sonam’s work provides an engaging and evolving catalogue to follow.
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