Sanaya Irani was born on September 17, 1983 in Mumbai, India. She attended a boarding school in Ooty for seven years. She is from the Parsi descent. Sanaya made her acting debut with a cameo in the Yash Raj Film Fanaa (2006), as Bobo. Sanaya did modeling and ad commercials with Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor among others, before doing television.

Sanaya was seen in Left Right Left as Cadet Sameera Shroff, and then as the glamorous Sanaya in Radha Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dekhayngi (2008). Sanaya's first lead role was Gunjan Bhushan in Star One's popular youth show, Miley Jab Hum Tum (2008 - 2010). In 2011, Sanaya starred in Star Plus's hit show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? as the vivacious Khushi Kumari Gupta, earning her much fame and recognition in the industry. She then portrayed the character of Chhanchhan Borisagar in Sony TV's Chhanchhan(2013). Sanaya is seen in Colors TV's Rangrasiya as Parvati (2014).

She has also participated in multiple reality shows. Sanaya briefly hosted Zara Nach ke Dikha (2010). She was a contestant in Meethi Choori No.1 (2010), guest co-contestant in Jhalak Dikhla Ja (2013), and contestant of Welcome-Baazi Mehmaan Nawazi Ki (2013).