Elnaaz Norouzi

Elnaaz Norouzi
Born	9 July 1992 Tehran, Iran
Nationality	German
Occupation	Actress, model
Years active	2010–present
Languages	English, German, French, Persian, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu
Known for	Sacred Games, Kandahar, Made in Heaven

Elnaaz Norouzi is an Iranian-born German actress and model who works across Indian cinema, OTT platforms, and international films. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Zoya Mirza in Netflix’s crime drama series Sacred Games. Over the years, she has appeared in Bollywood, regional Indian films, web series, and Hollywood projects, establishing herself as a cross-cultural performer. In 2025, she appeared as a contestant on the reality series The Traitors.

Early life and education

Elnaaz Norouzi was born on 9 July 1992 in Tehran, Iran. During her early childhood, her family relocated to Hanover, Germany, where she was raised and later acquired German citizenship. She studied at Goetheschule in Hanover.

At the age of 14, Norouzi began working as a professional model alongside her studies. By her late teens, she was traveling across Europe and Asia for assignments. After completing her education, she decided to move to India to pursue a career in acting.

Modeling career

Norouzi started her career as a model in her teenage years. She worked with several international brands and appeared in advertising campaigns across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Her modeling work helped her gain early exposure in India, eventually leading to opportunities in films and television.

Acting career

Early roles

Elnaaz Norouzi made her acting debut in 2017 with the Pakistani film Maan Jao Na, where she played the role of Raania. She soon began working in Indian cinema, initially appearing in smaller roles before gaining wider recognition.

Breakthrough with Sacred Games

Her breakthrough came in 2018 with Netflix’s Sacred Games, in which she portrayed Zoya Mirza. The series achieved international acclaim and brought Norouzi into the spotlight for her performance in a complex and layered role.

Films

Following her success on streaming platforms, Norouzi appeared in several Hindi and regional films, including Hello Charlie (2021), JugJugg Jeeyo (2022), Rashtra Kavach Om (2022), and the Marathi film Takatak 2 (2022). She made her Hollywood debut with Kandahar (2023), starring opposite Gerard Butler.

She has also worked in Punjabi and Telugu cinema, expanding her presence across multiple Indian film industries.

Web series and OTT projects

Norouzi has been part of several digital series, including Abhay (2019), Chutzpah (2021), Tehran (2022), Made in Heaven (2023), Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond (2024), and Hai Junoon! (2025). Her roles on OTT platforms have reinforced her reputation as a versatile performer.

Reality television

In 2025, Elnaaz Norouzi participated in the reality competition series The Traitors. She was eliminated on Day 7 and finished in 11th place. Her appearance marked another expansion of her career into unscripted entertainment formats.

Activism and public stance

Norouzi has been vocal on social and political issues. In 2018, she publicly accused filmmaker Vipul Shah of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement. In 2022, she supported the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran and expressed solidarity with women’s rights activists, using her social media presence to highlight issues of personal freedom and choice.

Recognition and outlook

Fluent in multiple languages, Elnaaz Norouzi is regarded as a global actress capable of working across cultures and industries. Her transition from modeling to acting in India and Hollywood reflects her adaptability and international appeal. With upcoming projects in Indian and international cinema, she continues to expand her presence as a cross-border performer.