Last year, you may have first encountered Banita Sandhu in Canadian singer-rapper AP Dhillon’s viral video for his track, ‘With You’, which has racked up 118 million views on YouTube since its release. In the docu-style video, Sandhu plays the girl next door on an enviable summer holiday with her boyfriend. The Punjabi pop number, most definitely an earworm of the streaming era, fuelled rumours that their dreamy, camera-friendly relationship was real and while that’s unconfirmed, it was enough to shoot Sandhu into the spotlight.
Since then, the Welsh-born, London-based actor has been unstoppable. Earlier this year, she was seen in the latest season of Bridgerton as the acerbic Miss Malhotra. Her role got her noticed as someone fashion brands can get behind—she attended Paris Haute Couture Week, the Dior Cruise 2025 show in Scotland, played muse to Gaurav Gupta, and did some casual farming wearing Stella McCartney and Prada. A quick scroll through her IG feed reveals the brands that she chooses again and again include Loewe, David Koma, and Manish Malhotra.
Like any fashion-inclined person, Sandhu will agree, there is no busier travel season than September: the month when the biggest cities host runway shows and the most coveted parties. She should know, after all the actor has led a rather peripatetic life, jetting between the UK, India, and the fashion capitals of Paris and New York. Luckily, we managed to catch up with her in London, where she talked about what’s in her suitcase right now and whose designs she wants to archive for her future daughter.
I’ve always been interested in fashion. My mum used to dress my sister and me up a lot when we were growing up [in Wales]. We’d go shopping and do fashion shows for our parents when we came home. It was always a fun creative outlet for us.
My exposure to fashion was definitely through the internet—in those days, it was Tumblr. I remember being really influenced by the LA street-style scene and old-world Hollywood, especially the androgyny of Katharine Hepburn.
My style icons are a bit obvious—Rihanna and Zendaya. Both can do no wrong in my eyes. I also adore Cate Blanchett.
The first fashion show I ever attended was for Manish Malhotra in Mumbai, around the time my first movie [October, 2018] came out. It was a surreal experience, and I’m so glad my first show was of an Indian designer.
When it comes to my personal style, I don’t like to overcomplicate looks and I’m really pedantic about tailoring. I get most of my clothing tailored because the fit is so important to me.
In my line of work, I’m usually packing for an extended trip. So I have to be prepared for all scenarios. I usually just throw a bunch of stuff into my suitcase and hope for the best. Luckily, till date, it has never failed me. And if I forget something, it’s the perfect excuse to shop in a different country!
Alexander McQueen jumpsuit, Stella McCartney stilettos
A piece of packing advice I would share is to get an AirTag!
On flights, I dress down and incognito. Baggy, comfy clothes that I can sleep in, and sunglasses. Right now, I have a pair from Le Specs that I get a lot of compliments on.
My favourite country to shop is probably Italy. You can find such good-quality pieces in local boutique stores. I love to support local artisans and buy pieces that aren’t commercially produced because it feels more sentimental and special to that moment in time.
My first big luxury purchase was a Chanel bag that I bought in Paris. I treated myself to it after my first movie released.
One day I would love to own something by Schiaparelli. I love Daniel’s [Roseberry] creative vision, and his pieces are artworks. I want to invest in his designs to archive for my future daughter.
My main wardrobe is in the UK because it’s more seasonal than India, so I need more options there. But I always joke that I anyway live out of a suitcase because my work requires me to travel so much.
Hotel beds need testing. In Balmain
Bridgerton was definitely the biggest production I’d been part of, I was so nervous joining [as Miss Malhotra], but the cast and crew were so warm and friendly. Even though it’s a huge machine, I love how it still pays such incredible attention to detail (especially in the costume and set design departments).
My playlist right now will show that it’s all about a Brat summer for me.
One thing I do before bed is journal. I got into it recently and it’s been very therapeutic. When you’re moving around so much, it’s so important to keep a structure in your life mentally, and journalling has really helped me manage my thoughts. That and the books I buy whenever I travel help keep me off social media.
A book I often revisit is Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. At the moment, I’m really enjoying the writings of Johann Hari and his take on mental health in the modern world.
One thing I wish people knew about me is that I have begun my journey as a producer, which has been both exciting and nerve wracking. I think having my Bachelor’s in English Literature set a great foundation to developing creative work and I can’t wait to share what I have been working on with everyone.
Photographs, video, and production by By The Gram. Location courtesy Rosewood London
