The Untold Story behind Kriti Sanon’s First Tattoo
- Sunny Bhanushali
- Sep 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 3
Some tattoos are ink. Some are art. And then there are those that become milestones, a promise fulfilled, a journey honored, and a part of you carried forever.
For Kriti Sanon, her first tattoo is exactly that milestone. And for us at Aliens, it became one of our own.
Having someone like Kriti, not just an incredible artist on screen but a personality so warm, humble, and real, walking into our studio was surreal. It was not just another project. It was a moment of pride, a reminder of how far we have come, and an experience we will never forget.
Kriti, Beyond the Star
Through this entire process, what struck us wasn’t just her passion for the tattoo, but her personality. Kriti is easygoing, respectful, fun, and refreshingly humble. Not once did she carry the air of being one of India’s most influential stars. She walked into every discussion with warmth, laughter, and an openness that made the whole experience a joy. Being around her reminded us that true stars shine by how they make others feel.
Sunny Bhanushali, who spent time speaking with her during the early stages, recalls, “What impressed me most was how grounded she is. She wasn’t looking for something flashy or decorative. She wanted a tattoo that meant something, that told her truth.”
Every suggestion she made came from a place of honesty and connection, and it only deepened our commitment to making sure the final design truly captured her story.
The Promise She Made
The story began much earlier, during the filming of Mimi. It was a film that changed her in ways she never expected. In the silences between scenes, in the weight of Mimi’s struggles and resilience, Kriti made a quiet vow to herself.
“If this film touches people the way it touched me, I will carry it with me forever.”
When the pandemic hit, theatres closed and the release she had dreamed of vanished. Mimi arrived quietly on OTT, without the red carpets or applause-filled nights she had imagined. For a moment, it felt like her promise might dissolve into silence.
But stories always find their way. From one screen to another, from one heart to many, Mimi grew. What began as whispers of appreciation soon turned into waves of love. The journey brought her the greatest honor of all - the National Award.
And amongst all the celebration and cheer, she heard the whisper of her vow. It was now time to fulfill it.
That’s where the journey of her tattoo began.
The design had to carry all of this -
Promise — a mark of her vow to herself.
Upward Journey — the upward journey of Mimi, from uncertainty to triumph.
Freedom — liberation, belief, self-trust.
Wish Fulfilled — a prayer answered, a dream realized.
Divine Support — the quiet hand of the universe guiding it all.
Tracing Her Story
“She was very clear,” recalls Sameer, the one who imagined and put the design together. “It had to be a bird. Something that could hold her story; freedom, faith, resilience, and flight.” But for Kriti, the choice was never just symbolic of her personal journey alone. The bird also symbolised the character of Mimi.
It took more than a week of sketches, refinements, and back-and-forth before the design revealed itself. This was not about creating a pretty tattoo. It had to be more than just art; it had to carry her story for a lifetime.
The Bird
The bird has always been a symbol of freedom and liberation. For Kriti, it carried all the emotions at the heart of her own journey, the courage to let go, the strength to rise, and the belief that she could move from stillness to sky. But it wasn’t just about her.
Kriti sat with Sunny and explained why it had to be a bird. Not just because it symbolised her own journey, but because Mimi herself carried birds on her skin as a Tattoo. “That’s when it clicked for me,” Sunny says. “This wasn’t just a tattoo. It was a bridge between the character that changed her and the woman she is today.”
The bird also held the spirit of Mimi, a character who had changed her forever and who too carried the image of birds on her skin as a Tattoo. By choosing this design, Kriti found a way to honour both her personal dream of freedom and the role that left an imprint on her life.
The Sun
Placed above the bird, the radiant sun carried layers of meaning. It represented divine energy, soaring heights, and the light that followed her struggles. For Kriti, it symbolized the fulfillment of her promise and the success of Mimi.
The Flowing Lines
The flowing lines capture the journey in its truest form. They are not straight, but filled with pauses, detours, and moments of growth. They rise gradually, echoing the winds of change that carried her promise upward.
The Upward Flow
The entire composition climbs gently along her inner foot, moving toward the sky. It tells a story of freedom, faith, and soaring heights, etched forever in the most personal place she chose.
The Night of the Tattoo
We decided to ink her late in the night, when the city was quieter and the studio felt like a sanctuary. Kriti chose the inner side of her ankle; a placement both subtle and personal, yet deeply symbolic of staying grounded while soaring high.
Five different stencil placements and tiny adjustments later, the final version felt perfect. Then came the tattoo itself.
Grishita was the artist who brought the design to life. Two hours of intricate, delicate work followed. This was not an easy tattoo to carry out. It was small, semi-realistic, and filled with details that demanded absolute focus and control. Yet the studio carried a sense of calm, almost meditative.
Sunny stepped in a few times, checking on the progress, exchanging smiles with Kriti, and offering quiet reassurance. It didn’t feel like a celebrity moment, it felt like a circle of people coming together to honor a promise.
Kriti sat still, occasionally smiling, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes chatting softly. The machine’s hum felt like a steady rhythm, carrying her vow from silence into form.
When the final needle lifted, she leaned forward into the mirror. And there it was; the bird, the sun, the line. Not just symbols, but her story, her promise, her truth.
Conversations Beyond Ink
That night was about more than a tattoo. Between stencils and strokes, we spoke about art, creativity, her experiences in the industry, and her vision for her own brand. Kriti spoke with honesty and optimism, sharing how she saw the world as abundant, full of growth and possibility.
Sunny recalls, “What struck me most was how she sees beyond herself. She’s thoughtful about the impact she wants to create. Every word felt like it came from a place of authenticity.”
She described her brand not as a business, but as a passion project rooted in authenticity and care. Every detail, she explained, was shaped by her values and her desire to give people something meaningful. Listening to her, it was clear that Kriti’s artistry extends beyond the screen.
A Promise Fulfilled
When the tattoo was complete, Kriti smiled in a way that said everything without words. The swallow, the sun, and the upward flow were no longer just a design. They were a vow fulfilled.
She had carried the promise in silence, through uncertainty, and into triumph. That night, it became ink.
For Kriti, it was her first tattoo. For us, it was a story of faith, freedom, and resilience brought to life. And every time she looks at her ankle, she now carries that vow — not just in memory, but forever on her skin.
Watch how it all unfolded Here
