Hayat first came to public attention on Sky Channel, Zee TV, where she hosted her own TV show for 3 years starting in 2000. The show became a cult favourite amongst young British Asians. Later, Hayat was in the UK TV talent show Bollywood Star, in which she lost out on the first prize by about 3 places.
Sofia has openly spoken about her background as a Muslim, and how her perceived ideals of Islam do not fit in with her perceived values. Hence, Sofia felt it necessary to change religion to Catholicism.
Hayat has recently completed feature films The Unforgettable, Cash and Curry, and Exitz. The Unforgettable premiered at The Venice Film Festival in 2008 to rave reviews. Hayat played the lead role opposite Raji James. In Cash and Curry she plays the gun-toting wife of a gangster.
Sofia became India's World Cup Cricket mascot for 2011. She had the world cup tatooed on her back and Paul the Octopus made with her hair. The logo painted on her back was "Jeet Lo India".