We know where the Beckhams went to school. We’ve dissected the alma maters of the cast of Bridgerton. We’ve (painfully) scrolled LinkedIn to find which universities the contestants from Love is Blind attended. We’ve even checked out the resumes coming out of Single’s Inferno Season 5.
But now, it’s time to swap the red carpets of Hollywood and South Korea for Gen Z Bollywood celebrities. Because behind the picture-perfect social media, designer lehengas and ultradramatic Bollywood movies, these new generation of stars have report cards, just like the rest of us.
So, here’s a list of where and what Gen Z Bollywood actors and actresses studied.
Aditi Saigal is the daughter of rock musician Amit Saigal and actor Shena Gamat. She is known for her role as Dot in The Archies.
The education of Gen Z Bollywood celebrities
Aditi Saigal
University: Bangor University, University of Glasgow
Degree: Bachelor’s in Music and Creative Writing, Master of Science in Education
Also known by her stage name Dot., Aditi is a singer-songwriter who played Ethel Muggs in Netflix’s “The Archies” (2023). She is the daughter of the late musician Amit Saigal.
Ahaan Panday
University: University of Mumbai
Degree: Bachelor’s in Cinematic Arts, with a focus in Film and Television Production
Ahaan made his lead debut in 2025’s blockbuster romance “Saiyaara,” which became one of the year’s biggest Bollywood hits. He is Chunky Panday’s nephew and cousin, Ananya Panday.
Alaya F
University: New York University (dropped out), New York Film Academy
Degree: One-year programme in acting
Alaya debuted opposite Saif Ali Khan in “Jawaani Jaaneman” (2020) and is the daughter of Pooja Bedi. She has since built a name for herself in projects like “Freddy” (2022) and “Srikanth” (2024)
Alizeh Agnihotri
University: SOAS University of London
Degree: Bachelor’s in Developmental Studies
Alizeh, niece of Salman Khan and daughter of Alvira Khan Agnihotri, made her acting debut in the coming-of-age drama “Farrey” (2023).
Aneed Padda
University: Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi
Degree: Bachelor’s in Sociology
Aneet became one of 2025’s breakout stars opposite Ahaan Panday in “Saiyaara,” a role that turned her into an overnight name in the industry.
Aryan Khan
University: University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts, Film and Television Production
Shah Rukh Khan’s elder son stepped behind the camera rather than in front of it, making his directorial debut with the web series “Ba*ds of Bollywood” (2025) for Netflix.
Ashi Singh
University: Kishor Sanghvi College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai
Degree: Unknown
Ashi built a young fan base through television, best known for playing the lead in Star Plus’s long-running romance drama “Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke.”
Babil Khan
University: University of Westminster
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies
The son of the late Irrfan Khan, Babil made his acting debut in the Netflix film “Qala” (2022) and has drawn comparisons to his father’s understated screen presence.
Banita Sandhu
University: King’s College London
Degree: Bachelor’s in English Literature with Film Studies
British-Indian actress Banita made her Bollywood debut opposite Varun Dhawan in “October” (2018), a role that earned her critical attention for her first-time performance.
Dev Agasteya
University: Unknown
Degree: Bachelor’s in Business Management
Dev debuted as the antagonist in the Netflix teen romance “Nadaaniyan” (2025) alongside Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan, after previously working a corporate job.
Ibrahim Ali Khan is the son of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh. He made his debut in Tashan (2008). Source: Ibrahim Ali Khan Instagram
Ibrahim Ali Khan
University: New York Film Academy
Degree: Bachelor’s in Filmmaking
The son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh made his acting debut in “Nadaaniyan” (2025), stepping into the industry after years of assisting on film sets.
Khushi Kapoor
University: New York Film Academy (NYFA)
Degree: One-year programme in acting
Khushi, daughter of the late Sridevi and Boney Kapoor, made her acting debut in Netflix’s “The Archies” (2023) and followed it with “Nadaaniyan” (2025).
Manushi Chhillar
University: Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Haryana
Degree: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Before Bollywood, Manushi was crowned Miss World 2017. She transitioned to acting with a lead role opposite Akshay Kumar in the period drama “Samrat Prithviraj” (2022).
Mihir Ahuja
University: H.R. College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai
Degree: Unknown
Mihir is best known for playing Jughead Jones in Netflix’s “The Archies,” a role he landed after director Zoya Akhtar spotted him on the sets of “Made in Heaven” Season 2 (2023).
Moses Koul
University: St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University
Degree: Bachelor’s (Hons) in Economics
A trained guitarist and founding member of the Delhi band Kraken before turning actor, Moses made his acting debut in the Netflix crime thriller “Class” (2023).
Rasha Thadani
University: Unknown
Degree: Bachelor’s in Business Management
Daughter of Raveena Tandon, Rasha made her Bollywood debut in the 2025 action drama “Azaad,” opposite Ajay Devgn.
Sahil Mehta
University: Shivaji College, Delhi University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Sahil built his career through OTT roles in “Tabbar,” “Good Luck Jerry” and “Farrey,” alongside a supporting part in “Raksha Bandhan” opposite Akshay Kumar.
Suhana Khan
University: New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
Degree: Bachelor’s in Acting and Drama
Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s daughter made her acting debut in Netflix’s “The Archies” (2023), playing Veronica Lodge.
Tanya Maniktala
University: Shivaji College, University of Delhi
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
Tanya gained wide recognition for her lead role in the Mira Nair-directed BBC/Netflix series “A Suitable Boy” (2020), her first major screen credit.
Vedang Raina
University: Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Degree: Bachelor’s in Business
Vedang made his acting debut as Reggie Mantle in Netflix’s “The Archies” (2023), stepping in front of the camera after growing up in Mumbai’s Jamnabai Narsee School circle.
Veer Pahariya
University: Regent’s University London
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Global Financial Management
Veer made a striking Bollywood entry in the 2025 aerial action film “Sky Force,” playing a fighter pilot opposite Akshay Kumar.
Ananya Panday turned down a spot at USC’s Annenberg School to make her Bollywood debut. Source: Ananya Panday/Facebook
Ananya Panday
University: University of Southern California (offer accepted, did not enroll)
Degree: Did not complete — chose to begin her acting career instead
Chunky and Bhavana Panday’s daughter debuted in “Student of the Year 2” (2019) and won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She had been accepted into the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, but chose to pursue her film debut instead of enrolling.
Agastya Nanda
University: Sevenoaks School (secondary), followed by further studies in New York
Degree: Not publicly specified
The grandson of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan made his acting debut playing the title role in Netflix’s “The Archies” (2023) and went on to lead the war drama “Ikkis” (2026).
From studying business in Pennsylvania to film school in New York, Meezaan Jafri took the long way to Bollywood. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Meezaan Jafri
University: Franklin & Marshall College, Pennsylvania, followed by the School of Visual Arts, New York
Degree: Studied business at Franklin & Marshall, then film direction and editing at SVA
The son of Jaaved Jaaferi and grandson of comedian Jagdeep made his acting debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Malaal” (2019), after working as an assistant director on “Bajirao Mastani” and “Padmaavat.”
What the pattern shows
Looking at all 24 names, a clear trend appears.
Roughly two-thirds pursued a conventional undergraduate degree — economics, sociology, biochemistry, English literature — often at Delhi University colleges like Shivaji College and St. Stephen’s, or at UK institutions like SOAS, King’s College London and Regent’s University London.
The rest opted for short, practical acting training at places like the New York Film Academy or skipped formal higher education once a film offer landed. Interestingly, very few studied filmmaking or performing arts as a full undergraduate course in India. Those who pursued formal acting training usually did so through overseas programmes.
There is also a difference between star kids and self-made newcomers.
Actors with film industry backgrounds, such as Aryan Khan, Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Ibrahim Ali Khan, and Agastya Nanda, often choose acting-focused training abroad. Meanwhile, actors who entered through auditions and OTT projects, such as Sahil Mehta, Tanya Maniktala, Vedang Raina, and Moses Koul more often finished a full academic degree — sometimes unrelated to film — before pivoting to acting.
Frequently asked questions
Have any Gen Z Bollywood actors or actresses dropped out of college to pursue acting?
Yes. Alaya F left New York University before completing her degree, and Ananya Panday was accepted into USC’s Annenberg School but never enrolled after landing her debut film role.
Did all Gen Z Bollywood actors and actresses pursue a degree related to filmmaking?
No. Manushi Chhillar earned an MBBS from Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College before becoming an actor. Meanwhile, Tanya Maniktala studied English literature, and Moses Koul studied economics, showing that not every Gen Z Bollywood actor came from a film background.
Do most Gen Z Bollywood stars study abroad or in India?
It’s almost an even split. Many actors from film families — including Suhana Khan, Aryan Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Babil Khan, and Banita Sandhu — studied in the UK or the US. Meanwhile, several actors who entered Bollywood through auditions, such as Aneet Padda, Sahil Mehta, Tanya Maniktala, and Moses Koul, earned their degrees at universities in India, mainly in Delhi and Mumbai.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on July 27, 2026.
