They first caught the attention of the public as cute petite child actors; ones who bought innocence to the movie and in the process garnered collective ‘awwws’ from the audience. Their childhood days are long gone and these grown up individuals are back on the silver screen to grab their piece of true stardom. Here’s a list of child actors who made a place for themselves in the adult…ahem…world of Bollywood!
Aftab Shivdasani
Aftab played the younger versions of two of the biggest Indian superstars – Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. His debut was with Mr. India and he then went on to do various films including Shahenshah, Chaalbaaz, Insaniyat and more. As a grownup he made his debut in Ram Gopal Varma’s Mast and caught the attention of all teenage girls.
Aditya Narayan
Like father, like son! Despite getting a break in Bollywood, Aditya decided to make music his career. Good call! One of the cutest child actor who worked in Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai and Pardes, made his debut as lead in Shaapit which did not do well at the box office. He is back in the limelight but this time as singer giving vocals to two Ranveer Singh songs Tattad Tattad and Ishqiyaun Dhishkiyaun.
Alia Bhatt
Remember her role in Sangharsh? Boy, she has come a long way since then! Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s ladli beti’s love for camera could be seen in 1999 film Sangharsh where she played younger Priety Zinta. As a timid girl she acted brilliantly. She bagged the lead role in Karan Johar’s ‘Student of the Year’ and has films with Imtiaz Ali and other big directors lined up for release this year.
Kunal Khemu
He first appeared in Doordarshan’s ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfaan’ when he was 4 years old and went onto to act in a string movies like Raja Hindustani, Sir and Hum hain rahi pyaar ke. One of the most recognizable child artists, Mr. Khemu’s debut as an adult happened in 2005 in Jaanat. Since then, he has had consistent releases and with effort and hard work could well be a mega star of Bollywood.
Shweta Basu Prasad
From a kohl eyed glamorous girl to an adorable bespectacled sister of Iqbal, Shweta Basu Prasad shed her nerdy looks to adopt a more stylish persona in order to brighten her chances of bagging lead role. Currently she is filming for movies down the south. Must say, she has really come a long way!
