Naila Grrewal on success: 'Coming home satisfied is what it means now'
Synopsis
Naila Grrewal, who has worked with directors like Imtiaz Ali, Anubhav Sinha, and now Atlee, says her definition of success has shifted from owning a house in Mumbai to simply feeling satisfied after a day on set — and the fact that she is now collaborating with Atlee suggests that satisfaction may be well-founded.
Key Takeaways
Naila Grrewal says success has evolved from material goals to personal satisfaction and audience appreciation.
She started her acting journey at the Dramatic Society of Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi .
She has collaborated with directors including Imtiaz Ali , Ashwini Iyer Tiwari , Anubhav Sinha , Rahul Pandey , and most recently Atlee .
She describes her overall journey as 'very satisfying' and says she is happy to have reached this stage of her career.
Actress Naila Grrewal has opened up about how her understanding of success has evolved significantly since she first entered the entertainment industry, moving away from material milestones toward a deeper sense of personal fulfilment and audience connection.
From Material Goals to Inner Satisfaction
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Naila revealed that when she was just starting out, success looked very different to her. 'When you just start out, the meaning of success is very different for you. I am from Delhi, so for me, having a house in Mumbai, having a car, and achieving those things would define a different level of success,' she said.
That definition, she explained, has since undergone a complete transformation. 'But now, after doing as much work as I have done, I feel success for me is coming back home feeling satisfied. After spending long hours on set, I want to feel that I have given my best,' she added.
Audience Appreciation and Self-Love
For the Tamasha and Thappad actress, success today is also measured by how her work resonates with viewers. 'If the audience likes my work, that is my definition of success. I feel that it has now transformed into self-gratification and self-love as well. Every day, whatever I do, I want to feel satisfied that I have spent my time well,' Naila noted.
This shift reflects a broader conversation within the Indian film and television industry, where several actors have spoken about re-evaluating the metrics of achievement beyond box-office numbers and social media reach.
A Journey From Delhi's Drama Stages to Mumbai's Sets
Naila traced her professional origins to the Dramatic Society of Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi, where she first discovered her passion for performance. 'My journey has been very interesting for me. I started in Delhi as part of the Dramatic Society of Lady Shri Ram College for Women. Today, I am in Mumbai, and I am doing full-time acting,' she recalled.
That transition from college theatre to mainstream Hindi cinema has been marked by collaborations with some of the most respected names in the industry.
Collaborations That Shaped Her Career
Reflecting on the directors she has worked with, Naila described the experience as nothing short of incredible. 'The journey has been very satisfying. To work with directors like Imtiaz Ali right at the beginning of my journey, followed by Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, Anubhav Sinha and, most recently, Rahul Pandey and now Atlee Sir, has been incredible. I think this is exactly where I have always wanted to reach,' she said.
She concluded on an optimistic note, stating that she considers herself fortunate to have reached this point in her career and remains eager to continue growing. As Naila prepares for her upcoming project with director Atlee, the actress appears to be entering one of the most high-profile phases of her professional journey.
Point of View
One of Hindi cinema's most commercially aggressive directors. The contrast between her inward-focused definition of success and the scale of a project associated with a filmmaker known for blockbusters is worth watching. Actors who articulate artistic fulfilment as a priority while simultaneously scaling up commercially tend to face scrutiny when box-office outcomes arrive. Whether her evolved definition of success survives that test will tell a more interesting story than the interview itself.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Naila Grrewal?
Naila Grrewal is a Hindi film actress known for her roles in films such as Tamasha and Thappad. She began her acting journey at the Dramatic Society of Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi before transitioning to full-time acting in Mumbai.
How has Naila Grrewal's definition of success changed?
Naila Grrewal says that early in her career, success meant material achievements like owning a house or car in Mumbai, but it has since evolved into a sense of personal satisfaction after a day's work and the feeling that the audience appreciates what she does.
Which directors has Naila Grrewal worked with?
Naila Grrewal has worked with directors including Imtiaz Ali, Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, Anubhav Sinha, Rahul Pandey, and most recently Atlee. She has described these collaborations as the most satisfying part of her professional journey.
What is Naila Grrewal's latest project?
According to her recent interview, Naila Grrewal is currently working with director Atlee, marking one of the biggest collaborations of her career to date. Further details about the project have not been disclosed.
