From Aamir Khan To Vir Hirani: Celebs You Didn’t Know Were Child Actors!

Long before making an official debut or landing major roles, a few actors got their very first taste of a movie set when they were just kids. These quick, blink-and-miss-it childhood cameos easily slipped past audiences at the time but they officially marked day one of their journey in front of the camera.This list uncovers those unexpected early appearances that show how far back their stories with cinema truly begin.

1. Vir Hirani

Vir Hirani made his early on screen appearance as a child actor in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), where he played Arshad Warsi's son at a very young age. Being the son of filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, he was naturally exposed to cinema from an early age. After a long gap away from the screen, he is now set to make his official acting debut as a lead in the upcoming series Pritam and Pedro on JioHotstar, marking a new chapter in his journey.

2. Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan made his first on screen appearance as a child actor in Aasha (1980) at around 6 years of age, with a few small appearances around the same time. He returned to films years later with a powerful lead debut in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000), which became a massive breakthrough and instantly made him one of the most recognized stars in Indian cinema. Known for his exceptional dance skills, versatility, and strong screen presence, he has since built a career marked by consistently impactful performances across genres.

3. Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt made her early on screen appearance as a child actor in the film Sangharsh in 1999 at around 6 years of age, where she played a younger version of Preity Zinta's character in a brief role. Born into a film family as the daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, she later rose to prominence as a leading actress with her debut in Student of the Year in 2012. She quickly established herself as one of the most successful actors of her generation, known for her versatility, strong performances, and ability to portray both commercial and content driven roles.

4. Aamir Khan

Aamir Khan first appeared on screen as a child actor in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) at around 8 years of age, marking his early introduction to films. He later made a landmark lead debut with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), which turned into a massive breakthrough and established him as one of Indian cinema's most impactful performers. Known for his selective choices and strong storytelling driven roles, he has built a career defined by versatility and lasting influence.

5. Kunal Khemmu

Kunal Khemu began his journey in cinema as a child actor with Sir (1993), appearing on screen at a very young age, followed by notable performances in films like Raja Hindustani (1996) where he played Aamir Khan's younger version. He later transitioned into lead roles with Kalyug (2005), which marked a strong comeback as an adult actor and showcased his ability to handle intense, character driven storytelling. Over the years, he has balanced comedy, drama, and thriller roles, steadily carving his space in the industry.