Before they became household names, many actors were sports stars in their own right. From zonal to national levels, these talented individuals once pursued athletic dreams, only to later find fame in the film industry. Take, for instance, John Abraham, a former district-level football player, or Taapsee Pannu, a state-level squash champion. Even Suniel Shetty was a national-level karate player before he made his Bollywood debut.
These actors, and many more like them, have successfully made the transition from sports to cinema, bringing with them the discipline, dedication, and competitive spirit that defined their athletic careers.
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As August 29 marks the National Sports Day, we bring you some names from the Hindi film industry who, before becoming actors, have represented different sports at different levels.
Known for films such as ‘Pink,’ Angad Bedi is the son of Indian cricket team’s former captain, the late Bishan Singh Bedi. Like his father, Angad also developed an interest in cricket and played up to the Under-19 level in Delhi, after which he began his career in modelling, and then eventually in the acting industry. Last year, Angad represented the country at the International Masters 2023 Athletics Championship held in Dubai, marking his international sports debut. He won a gold medal in a 400-meter race and dedicated his medal to his late father, who passed away a few days before the event.
Just like Akshay Kumar, Aditya Seal is also a trained martial artist. He specializes in Taekwondo. Aditya was only 15 years old when he began training himself in martial arts and continues to do so even today. The ‘Khel Khel Mein’ actor holds a third-dan black belt. He has won gold medals at international competitions held in India and South Korea.
Whether it is cricket, badminton, or sprinting, Saiyami Kher was an active sportswoman before he entered the film industry. She played all three sports at the zonal and district levels, winning accolades. The actor, who played an aspiring cricketer in ‘Ghoomer,’ is presently gearing up to participate in an international sports event. She is undergoing training for Ironman, a triathlon in which she will have to compete in cycling, swimming, and sprinting.
Many would be unaware that before making a mark in the film industry with his acting skills, Gulshan Devaiah was active in the field of sports. During his academic years, he participated in district-level javelin throw competitions and also won them. However, he didn’t pursue it further and eventually sought a career in the fashion world as a designer and then as an actor.
Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia’s journey from track star to screen siren began during her academic years, where she excelled as a versatile athlete. Her impressive speed earned her top honours at the zonal level, claiming first place in the 100, 200, and 400-meter races. However, Ahluwalia’s true calling lay in the spotlight, and she seamlessly transitioned from the track to the screen, making her mark in the television world before landing her debut role in the Hindi film industry.
