Mannara Chopra Biography 2026: Age, Career, Family, Net Worth & Success Story

She was born “Barbie,” grew up in the shadow of one of Bollywood’s biggest names, and yet – she chose to carve her own path. Mannara Chopra is not just Priyanka Chopra’s cousin. She is an actress, a model, a Bigg Boss finalist, and a rising force in Indian cinema who has worked across four film industries. From Telugu blockbusters to a remarkable television debut on Bigg Boss 17, Mannara’s journey is equal parts inspiring and entertaining. If you’ve been searching for the complete Mannara Chopra biography, you’ve landed in the right place.

Mannara Chopra Biography – Who Is Mannara Chopra?

Mannara Chopra is an Indian actress and model who works primarily in Telugu and Hindi films, with notable appearances in Tamil and Kannada cinema as well. Born as Barbie Handa in Ambala Cantonment, Haryana, she later adopted the stage name Mannara Chopra – a decision made on the advice of her cousin, global superstar Priyanka Chopra.

She made her acting debut in 2014 and has since built a solid filmography across multiple regional industries. In 2023, her appearance on Bigg Boss 17 catapulted her into a new wave of mainstream recognition, earning her the position of 2nd runner-up on one of India’s most-watched reality shows.

Mannara Chopra Early Life and Background

Birth and Childhood

Mannara Chopra was born on 29 March 1991 in Ambala Cantonment, Haryana. Growing up in a family of professionals, she was surrounded by ambition from the very beginning. Her father, Raman Rai Handa, was an advocate at the Delhi High Court – a man of discipline and intellect. Her mother, Kamini Chopra Handa, is a talented jewellery designer with a keen aesthetic sensibility.

Mannara’s childhood nickname “Barbie” was reportedly given to her by a male cousin, inspired by her doll-like features – a name that stuck until she made her professional debut.

Mannara Chopra Education

Mannara completed her schooling at Summer Fields School, New Delhi, one of the city’s prestigious institutions. She then pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, showing academic seriousness alongside her creative interests.

She also studied fashion design and is a trained dancer – skilled in Kathak, Odissi, hip-hop, and belly dance. Music, too, was always close to her heart. As early as 6th grade, she performed as a vocalist in her school band.

Family Connections

The Chopra Family of Bollywood

Mannara’s family connection to Bollywood’s famous Chopra clan is one of the most talked-about aspects of her public identity. Her mother, Kamini Chopra Handa, is the sister of the fathers of both Priyanka Chopra and Parineeti Chopra – making the three of them maternal cousins.

In simple terms, Mannara, Priyanka, and Parineeti all share the Chopra family lineage. Meera Chopra is also her cousin.

Priyanka’s Influence

Despite the famous family name, Mannara has been keen to build her identity independently. Interestingly, it was Priyanka Chopra herself who suggested the name change from Barbie Handa to Mannara Chopra. The two cousins have also appeared together in commercials, including a well-known advertisement for Dabur Amla Hair Oil, which gave Mannara her first real taste of public recognition.

Priyanka has consistently shown up for Mannara. She attended Mannara’s birthday party in Mumbai and publicly expressed grief when Mannara’s father passed away, posting a heartfelt tribute on social media.

Immediate Family

Mannara’s younger sister, Mitali Handa, is a fashion stylist and reportedly runs BMB Jewels. The sisters share a close bond that Mannara often speaks about fondly.

Mannara Chopra Acting Career Journey

From Model to Movie Star

After completing her education in Delhi, Mannara moved to Mumbai and launched her career in modelling and advertising. She appeared in over 40 commercials, working alongside some of Bollywood’s biggest names – Salman Khan for Suzuki, Farhan Akhtar for Dulux Paints, Imtiaz Ali for Parle Marie, and Priyanka Chopra for Dabur Amla. She was also the original face of Ganna.com and appeared in Myntra campaigns.

It was the Dabur Amla ad that truly opened doors for her in the film industry, leading to her first offer in Telugu cinema.

Mannara Chopra Debut Projects

Mannara made her Telugu film debut with Prema Geema Jantha Nai (2014), where she was still credited under her birth name. She played a bubbly, talkative college girl opposite popular singer-turned-actor Sreerama Chandra. The film was warmly received by audiences.

The same year, she made her Hindi debut with Zid (2014), directed by Anubhav Sinha and co-starring Karanvir Sharma. In the film, Mannara played an obsessive lover – a bold, intense character for a first-time actress. While reviews were mixed, the film did well commercially. Critics acknowledged her screen presence, with one reviewer calling her “radiant.”

South Indian Cinema Work

Mannara became a recognisable face in Telugu cinema through the mid-2010s. Her notable South Indian films include:

She also had special appearances in the Tamil films Sandamarutham and Kaaval in 2015.

TV and Reality Show Appearances

Mannara’s biggest leap into mainstream Hindi television came with Bigg Boss 17 in 2023–2024. Hosted by Salman Khan, the show gave her enormous visibility with national audiences. She was reportedly one of the highest-paid contestants of that season, earning approximately ₹10–15 lakh per week. She finished the season as the 2nd runner-up – a strong result that significantly boosted her fanbase and social media following.

Major Movies and Shows

Here is a look at Mannara Chopra’s key film and television credits:

She has also appeared in several music videos, including Na Hona Tumse Door with Gajendra Verma, Ham Reh Gaye Akele with Pranav Vatsa, Sukoon with Ashmit Patel, and Saanware with Abhishek Kumar.

In 2023, Mannara also made her singing debut with Zara Zara Behekta Hai, demonstrating yet another creative dimension to her personality.

Achievements and Recognition

Mannara Chopra’s talent has not gone unnoticed. Over the years, she has earned several awards and honours:

She also walked the ramp as a showstopper for designer Ashima S at India Runway Week in 2017, cementing her presence in the fashion world.

Mannara Chopra Personal Life

Mannara Chopra keeps her personal life largely private. As of the latest publicly available information, she is unmarried and has not confirmed any relationship publicly.

She is known to be a fitness enthusiast who practices yoga regularly, with Surya Namaskar being her favourite routine. She prefers home-cooked food and is a self-professed animal lover, reportedly having a cat and a dog as pets.

She is passionate about dance – trained in Kathak, Odissi, hip-hop, and belly dance – and has a keen interest in painting and the arts.

Mannara faced a deeply personal tragedy when her father, Raman Rai Handa, passed away. The news drew sympathy from across the industry, with cousin Priyanka Chopra posting a moving tribute. Mannara returned to work after taking time to grieve, sharing a heartfelt note with fans.

Mannara Chopra Net Worth and Income Sources

Mannara Chopra has built a solid financial foundation through multiple income streams. Based on available estimates:

These figures are estimates based on publicly available data and industry norms – exact figures are not officially disclosed.

Social Media Presence and Popularity

Mannara Chopra is a prominent digital personality with a strong and growing social media presence:

Her Bigg Boss 17 journey gave her one of the biggest jumps in follower count in recent years, as fans discovered her warm, candid personality on national television. She is known for being authentic and relatable online, which has helped build genuine loyalty among her audience.

She is widely considered a strong brand influencer, earning recognition as a “Iconic Influencer” at the Midday India International Awards.

Latest Updates: 2025–2026

Mannara Chopra continues to stay relevant and active in the industry. Here are some of her most recent updates:

• She appeared in the 2024 Telugu film Tiragabadara Saami, keeping her presence alive in South Indian cinema
• She starred in the Punjabi film Ohi Chann Ohi Raatan, reflecting her expanding regional footprint
• Her Instagram presence has grown significantly past the 4 million mark
• She has been linked to potential projects and TV appearances, with reports of possible participation in Khatron Ke Khiladi circulating in entertainment circles
• She continues to be a sought-after brand endorser and social media influencer in 2025

Mannara is also believed to be working on upcoming entertainment projects, though official announcements have been limited as of early 2026.

Interesting Facts About Mannara Chopra

• Her real birth name is Barbie Handa — a nickname inspired by her doll-like looks, given by a family cousin
• It was Priyanka Chopra who advised her to adopt the stage name “Mannara Chopra”
• She appeared in over 40 commercials before her film debut
• She is trained in Kathak, Odissi, hip-hop, and belly dance
• She was the vocalist of her school band as early as 6th grade
• She made her singing debut professionally in 2023 with Zara Zara Behekta Hai
• She was the original face of Ganna.com
• She appeared in three commercials alongside Priyanka Chopra, the most famous being the Dabur Amla ad
• She was one of the highest-paid contestants on Bigg Boss 17
• In 2024, she was featured in GQ India’s list of 35 Most Influential Young Indians

FAQs About Mannara Chopra

Conclusion:-

The Mannara Chopra biography is a story of quiet grit meeting glittering opportunity. From growing up as “Barbie Handa” in Haryana, to walking the ramps of Mumbai’s fashion weeks, to debuting in four film industries and captivating millions on Bigg Boss 17 – Mannara has never taken the easy shortcut. Yes, the Chopra name opened some doors. But the talent, the dedication, the 40+ commercials, the training in multiple dance forms, and the willingness to take bold roles – that was all her.

As she continues to grow in 2025 and beyond, Mannara Chopra stands at a genuinely exciting crossroads in her career. With a burgeoning social media empire, a loyal fanbase, and new projects on the horizon, this actress is far from done writing her story. Watch this space – the best chapters of Mannara Chopra’s journey may well be yet to come.

Sources & References

• Mannara Chopra Wikipedia
• Mannara Chopra IMDB
• Book My Show

Last Updated: April 22, 2026

Disclaimer: All net worth figures mentioned in this article are estimates based on publicly available information, media reports, and known business activities. No official financial disclosures have been made by Mannara Chopra. These numbers should not be treated as verified facts.