Irani’s first modeling portfolio was done by photographer-turned actor Boman Irani. Irani made her acting debut with a cameo in the Yash Raj Film Fanaa as Mehbooba. The actress spent the year doing TV advertisements with Bollywood stars like Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor and others before entering television. She made her debut with Jagjit Singh’s Tumko Dekha.
At the beginning of her career, Irani wasn’t fluent in Hindi and spoke of her struggles with the language on several occasions. Her television debut was in the SAB TV drama Left Right Left as Cadet Sameera Shroff. She was tutored by her director for her Hindi. This was followed by a negative role in Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi on Imagine TV.
Irani has received three ‘Face of The Year’ awards and was the only television actress to be included in People Magazine (India)’s forty most beautiful women. She was titled the 3rd Attractive Asian Woman Alive. she was listed in the top 10 best television actresses by Rediff. In November 2014, Sanaya was approached for Bigg Boss 8 but she declined it.
Irani also participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 in 2015 which aired on Colors. Irani reprised her role of Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada again in its sequel mini-series Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?… Ek Jashan which ended in December. In 2017, Irani participated in the dance show Nach Baliye 8 with her husband Mohit Sehgal.
From a model to working in a film in a small role to television, Sanaya has come a really long way.