Top 5 Bollywood Child Artists Then vs Now:

Hansika Motwani

Hansika Motwani (Born August 9, 1991) is a highly celebrated Indian actress who began her career as one of the most famous child stars in Indian television and cinema. She achieved immense popularity across youth demographics before successfully transitioning into a leading actress in South Indian cinema.

Childhood Stardom and Breakthrough

Hansika started her journey with mega-hit TV serials like Shaka Laka Boom Boom and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand. She became a household name nationally after starring alongside Hrithik Roshan in the blockbuster film Koi… Mil Gaya (2003). Her innocent charm and exceptional acting skills made her the top choice for major commercial brands and commercial television projects during the early 2000s.

Hansika Motwani

Shaka Laka Boom Boom' Fame Hansika Motwani Took Hormonal Injection At The Age Of 16 To Become Adult
Famous AsChild Artist, Actress
BornAug 9, 1991, Mumbai
Notable WorkKoi… Mil Gaya, Shaka Laka Boom Boom
Active Years2001–present

Kunal Kemmu

Kunal Kemmu (Born May 25, 1983) is a highly talented Indian actor and director who won national praise for his intense performances as a child actor in the 1990s. He is widely considered one of the finest child actors in Bollywood history due to his mature acting delivery.

Iconic 90s Film Roles

Kunal made his debut with the TV series Gul Gulshan Gulfam but shook the film industry with his critically acclaimed roles in legendary films like Sir (1993), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Raja Hindustani, and Zakhm. His emotional depth in Ajay Devgn’s childhood role in Zakhm remains iconic. He later returned to Bollywood as a lead actor with hits like Kalyug and the Golmaal series.

Kunal Kemmu

Famous AsChild Actor, Director
BornMay 25, 1983, Srinagar
Notable WorkRaja Hindustani, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Zakhm
Active Years1987–present

Darsheel Safary

Darsheel Safary (Born March 9, 1997) is an Indian actor who delivered one of the most culturally impactful performance as a child artist in Indian cinema history. His portrayal of a struggling young student created immense social awareness about learning disorders across the nation.

The Taare Zameen Par Phenomenon

Darsheel was discovered by scriptwriter Amol Gupte and was cast as ‘Ishaan Awasthi’ in Aamir Khan’s masterpiece Taare Zameen Par (2007). His masterclass performance won him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor, a rare feat for a child artist. He later acted in films like Bumm Bumm Bole and continues to pursue mainstream theatre and acting projects.

Darsheel Safary

Darsheel Safary says he was bullied for his teeth as a kid: 'And yet I got Taare Zameen Par because of them' | Bollywood
Famous AsChild Artist, Theatre Actor
BornMar 9, 1997, Mumbai
Notable WorkTaare Zameen Par
Active Years2007–present

Ruhaanika Dhawan

Ruhaanika Dhawan (Born September 25, 2007) is a highly beloved Indian television child celebrity and digital influencer. She holds a massive fanbase across major internet demographics owing to her long-running television presence since early childhood.

Television Career and Milestones

Ruhaanika started her journey with Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein, but shot to absolute national stardom playing the role of ‘Ruhi/Pihu’ in Star Plus’s historic blockbuster show Ye Hai Mohabbatein. She won multiple awards for her cute dialogue delivery. Recently, she made headlines across public media networks for purchasing her own luxury home at the young age of 15 through her hard-earned industry savings.

Ruhaanika Dhawan

Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' Fame, Ruhaanika Dhawan's Transformation From A Child Artist To A Teenager Diva
Famous AsTV Child Artist, Influencer
BornSep 25, 2007, Delhi
Notable WorkYe Hai Mohabbatein, Salman Khan’s Jai Ho
Active Years2012–present

Harshaali Malhotra

Harshaali Malhotra (Born June 3, 2008) is an Indian actress who achieved global fame as a child star. Her debut on the silver screen remains one of the highest-grossing and most emotionally celebrated cinematic arrivals in contemporary Indian film history.

The Iconic ‘Munni’ Breakthrough

Harshaali was selected out of thousands of young girls to play the lead role of ‘Shahida (Munni)’, a mute Pakistani girl, in Salman Khan’s record-breaking blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015). Without speaking a single word, her expressions won critical acclaim worldwide. She was awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award for her cinematic contribution.

Harshaali Malhotra

Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' Fame, Ruhaanika Dhawan's Transformation From A Child Artist To A Teenager Diva
Famous AsChild Actress, Influencer
BornJune 3, 2008, Mumbai
Notable WorkBajrangi Bhaijaan
Active Years2015–present
Scroll to Top