While she was born and raised as a Mumbaikar, Irani is of the Parsi descent. She is one of three siblings - a brother and a sister - both of whom reside abroad in Chicago, U.S. Irani spent seven years in a boarding school in Ooty. Following this, Irani graduated from Sydenham College and considered pursuing an MBA degree but instead became a model. She then forayed into acting with Jagjit Singh's song "Tumko Dekha To Yeh."
Irani announced her relationship with her co-star Mohit Sehgal from Miley Jab Hum Tum on 19 November 2010, the last day of the shoot.
Despite growing up in India, Irani wasn't fluent in Hindi and spoke of her struggles with the language on several occasions.
Her first portfolio was taken by photographer, now actor Boman Irani, with which she began modelling. Early in her career, she appeared in various advertisements for companies such as Airtel, Reliance, and Pepsi, working with Bollywood actors Shahrukh Khan (Belmonte), Amitabh Bachchan (Dabur Honey), Priyanka Chopra (Lux), Saif Ali Khan (Lee), and Kareena Kapoor. She made her performing debut with Jagjit Singh's song "Tumko Dekha To Yeh" before appearing in other music videos.
Sanaya debuted onscreen as Bobo in the Yash Raj film Fanaa (2006) opposite Kajol. The actress once said, "It was by accident that I got that role. It was like a dream come true for me, since Aamir Khan and Kajol are my favorite actors," She then made her television debut four years later in the SAB TV drama Left Right Left (2007) as Sameera, a new joining cadet.This was followed by a negative role in Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi (2008) on Imagine TV.
Her first lead role as a protagonist came in STAR One's Miley Jab Hum Tum (2008-2010), as the simple, studious and reclusive Gunjan.
After the end of Miley Jab Hum Tum.
Sanaya portrayed the bubbly and loving Khushi Kumari Gupta, the female protagonist of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? (2011-2012). Sanaya spoke of her struggles while portraying the character. "I never knew how I would do it as I was so scared that I would cry. I would tell Gul (producer) that I cry every time after pack-up, not knowing how I could do this. But it happened," she said. "I really worked hard. I would go home thinking about it, sleep thinking about it, wake up thinking about it, looked in the mirror, try to do things. I gave it my best. I would sit and read. My Hindi is a problem, and I had to speak so much in the show, I would sit in my room and do my lines again and again, so I would not even fumble once.
Sanaya at Ra.One Music Launch with Shahrukh Khan in 2011
Sanaya's hard work, dedication and her portrayal of the character as well as her chemistry with co-star Barun Sobti brought her massive popularity and made her one of the most well-known and admired actresses of Indian television. The show, which aired its final episode on 30 November 2012, had consistently maintained its position as one of the top ten daily dramas on Indian general entertainment channels and has a tremendous fan following.
Sanaya's popularity has grown immensely over her time in the industry. Known for her beauty, she has received three 'Face of The Year' awards and was the only television actress to be included in People's Magazine (India) forty most beautiful women.
