7 Bollywood star kids who began their showbiz career as assistant directors

These seven young stars were assistant directors in the film industry before they decided to pursue acting as their career.

Shanaya Kapoor

Shanaya Kapoor, the daughter of Sanjay and Maheep Kapoor, has always desired to be an actress. However, the star kid started her career in the industry as an assistant director on her cousin sister Janhvi Kapoor’s film Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020) before her headline-grabbing debut film Bedhadak was revealed in 2022. Bedhadak was shelved, but Shanaya is currently preparing for her feature debut in Mohanlal’s Vrushabha.

Renee Sen

Renee Sen, the older daughter of Sushmita Sen, made her acting debut in 2021 with the short film Suttabaazi instead of a major Bollywood premiere. The star kid, who wants to work as a full-time actor in Bollywood, recently started an internship as an assistant director on the comedy Bad Newz, which stars Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk. Renee described her experience on social media, “Working on BAD NEWZ has been nothing short of gratifying… it was as good as going to film school… or maybe better”

Ibrahim Ali Khan

Ibrahim Ali Khan is set to make his acting debut in Karan Johar’s Sarzameen, costarring Kajol, following in the footsteps of his father Saif Ali Khan, mother Amrita Singh, and sister Sara Ali Khan. However, Ibrahim was an assistant director on KJo’s 2023 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani before he became an actor.

Varun Dhawan

Prior to this major break, Varun and Sidharth were assistant directors on KJo’s 2010 smash hit My Name Is Khan. Varun Dhawan is the son of David Dhawan and made his acting debut with Karan’s 2012 teen film Student of the Year, costarring Alia and Sidharth Malhotra.

Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor

With Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya (2007), Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, the daughter of Anil Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor, the son of Rishi Kapoor, made their acting debuts. Sonam and Ranbir, however, worked as his assistant directors on the director’s 2005 picture Black before they became actors for SLB. Unknown fact: Sonam desired a career as a director and writer before she became an actor.

Arjun Kapoor

Arjun Kapoor, the son of Boney Kapoor, is another Kapoor on this list who started out as an assistant director. Sonam and Shanaya’s cousin brother is also named Arjun. Prior to making his screen debut as a dashing hunk in Ishaqzaade (2012), Arjun worked with Nikhil Advani on the Shah Rukh, Preity Zinta, and Saif film Kal Ho Naa Ho from 2003. In 2007, he and Nikhil got back together to work as ADs for Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra. Salaam-e-Ishq, Jonas