Bollywood actor fled Iran, lived in refugee camp, stood in line for food; speaks 7 languages: ‘I can program robots’

She shared, “Contrary to what people believe, we were not a rich family. In fact, we were living in a very small house in Iran. I do remember my childhood—I loved Tehran. The only time I realised the difference was when we moved from Tehran to a super small city in Germany. At first, we were in a refugee camp.”

For political reasons, Elnaaz and her family moved to Germany when she was just eight years old—a reality many Iranian families face while fleeing persecution and restrictions, especially those affecting women and activists. The family lived under political asylum, with Germany offering the possibility of stability through its strong economy, job opportunities, and higher wages.

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She further revealed, “We came to Germany without any papers.” Describing the cultural shock, she said, “For us, it was completely different. Imagine being born and growing up in a city as chaotic and lively as Bombay, and suddenly shifting to a city where everything shuts by 6 pm. My mom, dad, and I lived in a super small room. There were separate rooms for different families, but only one common bathroom and one common kitchen. It was an extremely tiny space with three beds.”

Recalling the hardships of refugee life, Elnaaz said, “We had to stand in line for food, where we would get one potato and one egg. That’s refugee life. They gave us breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

Interestingly, this experience left a lasting imprint on her. “I love potatoes and eggs without any seasoning. People in India judge me for it, but it reminds me of my childhood,” she shared.

Language became another major hurdle. Elnaaz explained that to start working in Germany, one needs a basic understanding of German. “We didn’t know the language. We had to figure out all the paperwork, get lawyers—it’s a long process. It can take years because the government has to approve your case. There are multiple political rounds to clear, and they check whether you are a legitimate asylum seeker,” she said.

Addressing the assumption that she comes from wealth, Elnaaz clarified, “When I was born, my parents were living in a basement. I am not coming from money. I have changed countries and cultures. We had to start from zero.”

She credited her father for helping the family move forward quickly. “We were among the very few who got out of the refugee camp early. Many people lived there for two to three years. You also need ambition—because life there can feel comfortable in a way. You don’t pay for anything, and your food is provided.”

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The family eventually moved to Hanover, where Elnaaz grew up. “Germany taught me punctuality. It took me time in India to adjust to the ‘aayega in two minutes’ attitude,” she said with a laugh.

She learnt German alongside her mother and continued her education there. “I studied in Germany, but at home I learnt Devanagari and Urdu. I didn’t want to look like a privileged girl who had come to India. I had to learn the languages to work in the industry. I speak seven languages.”

Elnaaz also revealed that Germany has different schools based on academic calibre, and she was placed among the most advanced students. “I know how to program robots. I learnt that back in the day using Java,” she confessed.

Despite the many transitions in her life, her hunger for learning remained constant. “I have also learnt French. They say it takes a lifetime to learn German and French—they’re among the toughest languages in the world.”

Yet, alongside her academic achievements, Elnaaz was clear from a young age that she wanted to be an actor.

“I started modelling when I was 14. I would often miss school but always showed up with my homework. I would finish it on flights or trains while travelling,” she recalled.

She also walked the ramp for major brands, including at Berlin Fashion Week, for names like Dior.

Elnaaz made her acting debut with a Pakistani film and went on to work in international and Indian projects such as Tehran (Apple TV+), Kandahar, Sacred Games, and a Punjabi film, Khido Khundi. Her Bollywood breakthrough came with Netflix’s Sacred Games, where she starred opposite Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

Over the years, she has appeared in films like JugJugg Jeeyo, Tehran, and Mastii 4, along with series such as Made in Heaven and Karan Johar’s reality show The Traitors.

While her net worth is not public, Elnaaz shared: “I have earned everything for myself.”