Avneet Kaur, Anushka Sen, Jannat Zubair; From small screen to streaming stars: How these child actors grew into OTT icons
Once known for their innocent faces on Indian television, these child actors have gracefully grown into confident, versatile performers in the fast-paced world of
OTT
entertainment. Their journeys—from daily soaps and reality shows to powerful digital roles—reflect not just personal evolution, but also how India's content landscape has transformed. With diverse roles, global recognition, and dedicated fan bases, these stars are proving that early fame was just the beginning.
Ahsaas Channa: From Divine Roles to Digital Darling
Many remember her as the lovable child in
Oh My Friend Ganesha
and from mythological shows like
Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev
, but Ahsaas Channa has since reinvented herself as a prominent face on the web. With popular shows like
Girls Hostel
,
Kota Factory
, and
Sisters
, Ahsaas has carved out a strong digital identity. Her ability to portray layered, relatable young characters has made her one of the most loved names among Gen Z OTT audiences.
Avneet Kaur: From Dancing Star to Digital Diva
Avneet Kaur began her journey at the age of 8 with
Dance India Dance – Li'l Masters
, impressing everyone with her charm and talent. She smoothly transitioned into
TV
with shows like
Meri Maa
and rose to fame with
Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga
as the leading lady. Now, she's exploring her place in the OTT universe with projects like
Babbar Ka Tabbar
and
Party Till I Die
, while also maintaining a strong presence across social media platforms.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Jolie-Pitt Family Shows Support For Shiloh's Change
Drivepedia
Undo
Anushka Sen: A Global Face in the Making
Starting with
Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli
, Anushka Sen grew to prominence with shows like
Baal Veer
and
Jhansi Ki Rani
. On OTT, she's impressed with
Dil Dosti Dilemma
and
Crash
, building a strong connect with digital viewers. But Anushka's ambitions now span beyond India. She became the
Honorary Ambassador of
Korean
Tourism in 2023
, and has worked on her first Korean film
Asia
, and show
Crush
. Speaking exclusive to Etimes, Anushka said, 'I like to focus on multiple things and I'm capable of doing that because I love what I do.I feel I'm representing India globally, and that makes me happy.'
Anushka Sen Returns from Cannes in Style
Jannat Zubair: From Phulwa to Fierce Competitor
Jannat Zubair, who won hearts as the little girl
Phulwa
on Colors TV, has steadily built her career with a range of TV roles. As she grew older, she explored reality TV through
Khatron Ke Khiladi
and is currently seen in the reality game show
The Traitors
. With a strong digital following and polished presence, Jannat continues to expand her creative choices.
Siddharth Nigam: From Ashoka to Action-Filled Avatars
Siddharth Nigam started strong with his Bollywood debut as young Aamir Khan in
Dhoom 3
, and quickly became a TV star with roles in
Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat
,
Chandra Nandini
, and
Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga
. On OTT, he's taken on more stylised, modern roles in series like
Escaype Live
,
Amly
,
Blue Tick
, and
Hai Junoon
, signaling his readiness to experiment and evolve with the times.
Rajat Tokas: From Historical Hero to OTT Explorer
Rajat Tokas became a household name with historical TV dramas like
Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan
and
Jodha Akbar
. Known for his intense expressions and quiet strength, he's now exploring more nuanced and darker characters in digital storytelling. While his OTT projects are still under wraps, the actor is clearly preparing for a shift in tone and medium.
Mahima Makwana: Quietly Bold, Steadily Rising
Mahima Makwana started young with TV shows like
Balika Vadhu
and
Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke
. Today, she stands tall alongside Bollywood heavyweights like
Emraan Hashmi
and Naseeruddin Shah in her OTT project
Showtime
and the gritty political drama
Rangbaaz
. Speaking to the ETimes, she confessed feeling the weight of responsibility: 'It's like carrying a huge responsibility on one's shoulders. I'm already very critical of my work and push myself constantly. But getting to work with names like Dharma Productions is a dream come true. It's something I never thought was possible—but maybe I manifested it.'
These actors—once beloved as child stars—are now redefining themselves through powerful OTT roles. Their journeys reflect more than personal ambition; they signal a generational shift in Indian entertainment, where screens may have changed, but talent continues to shine brighter than ever. As storytelling evolves and boundaries blur, these young performers stand as proof that early fame doesn't fade—it transforms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘One spoon of rice': Salman Khan reveals what he eats in a day; says dad Salim Khan's ‘metabolism alag hai', still walks to Bandstand everyday at 89
Salman Khan made a memorable appearance in the season opener of The Great Indian Kapil Show, which kickstarted its new innings on Netflix last weekend. The episode has already become a hit among viewers, who are loving the fun and candid side of Salman as he jokes and banters with host Kapil Sharma, Archana Puran Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu (who returned to the show after five years), and comedians like Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek, and Kiku Sharda. Recently, Sidhu shared a clip from the show on his YouTube channel, where Salman can be seen talking about his father, Salim Khan's health, fitness, and disciplined lifestyle. He said, 'My dad, touchwood, Mashallah, he tells me that meri khuraq khatam ho gayi hai (my appetite has gone down) but touchwood he is like, 2-3 paranthe, then rice, the gosht, then dessert, twice a day. Unka ek metabolism alag hai. Unka discipline alag hai.' (He has a different metabolism. He has a different kind of discipline.) Salim is 89-year-old. 'So he has been walking all the way to Bandstand and back every single morning. We're so happy to see that. We are so proud that we have a father who's fighting it out.' Salman also went on to share his own diet routine, adding: 'I'll eat anything but won't overeat. Like say, 1 spoon rice or at max one and a half, whatever vegetables, then chicken or mutton or fish.' Also Read | Salman Khan recalls seeing his poster in Kareena Kapoor's bathroom when she was 8; says Rahul Roy replaced him when she turned 15: 'She was a fan' In the same conversation, Salman reflected on his role in promoting fitness in the Indian film industry. He said he was among the first actors to popularize gym culture in the country, and he's delighted to see legendary actors like Dharmendra still going strong with their health routines. Salman's last feature, Sikandar, was a huge box office let-down. However, he is in no mood to stop, as he is gearing up for his next project, reportedly a war drama based on the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict. The film will be directed by Apoorva Lakhia, and Salman is expected to start shooting soon. He is also reportedly in talks with Kabir Khan for Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2.
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Squid Game's blunder turned woman's life into a nightmare until a 100 million offer from a politician. But did she take it?
Squid Game Season 3 is all set to drop its first six episodes on Netflix on June 27, bringing fans back to the deadly, high-stakes world that first shocked global audiences in 2021. With its trademark suspense and social commentary, the third and final season picks up where it left off—Gi-hun's mission to take down the organisation behind the games intensifies, even as the mysterious Front Man remains two steps ahead. But as fans clear their schedules and prepare for binge-watching, few may recall that the show's incredible success also brought real-life chaos to someone who never signed up for the game. When Fiction Dials Reality In Season 1, the protagonist Seong Gi-hun receives a cryptic business card with symbols and a phone number—an invitation to the deadly game. It was meant to deepen the show's aura of mystery. However, when fans dialled the eight-digit number out of curiosity, their phones automatically added South Korea's standard mobile prefix '010,' turning the number into a real, functioning line. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Unbeknownst to the showrunners, they had effectively broadcasted the personal phone number of Kim Gil-young , a businesswoman in Seongju who had been using it for over ten years. What followed was nothing short of a horror story—thousands of texts and calls flooded her phone day and night. In an interview with Money Today, Gil-young shared, 'Since Squid Game aired, I've been receiving texts and calls 24 hours a day, to the point where it's difficult to live my daily life… I've had to delete over 4,000 numbers from my phone.' You Might Also Like: Squid Game creator once sold his laptop to pay house rent. Now, fans await season 3 of a billion dollar phenomenon Netflix Intervenes Amid the Chaos At first, Gil-young had no idea what had triggered the barrage of calls until a friend pointed out the connection to Squid Game. The calls weren't just from curious fans; some pranksters reportedly phoned her in the middle of the night asking, 'Can I join Squid Game?' before abruptly hanging up. Changing the number wasn't an option for Gil-young, who used it for business purposes. She turned to Netflix and Siren Pictures , the show's production company, to resolve the issue. In response, Netflix quickly edited the scene and replaced the number with a fictional one, 010-034, just weeks after the show's release. A Guardian report confirmed that Netflix had edited out the real number and issued a statement asking viewers to refrain from prank calls and messages. The company stated, 'Together with the production company, we are working to resolve this matter, including editing scenes with phone numbers where necessary.' An Offer to Buy the Chaos In the media frenzy that followed, the situation escalated in unexpected ways. South Korean presidential candidate Huh Kyung-young reportedly offered 100 million won to purchase the phone number, making headlines for his strange proposition. Meanwhile, reports claimed Gil-young turned down compensation offers of up to 5 million won, though Netflix has never officially commented on these negotiations. You Might Also Like: Squid Game Season 3 sneak peek: Netflix drops chilling 6-minute opener as Player 456 returns in a coffin. Internet reacts By the time Squid Game Season 2 premiered in 2024, the infamous business card returned—but this time, with fictional numbers carefully inserted to avoid another fiasco. Screenshot of presidential candidate Huh Kyung-young's Facebook post offeriung to buy the number that featured on Squid Games. (Image: Facebook) A Lesson in Caution and Consequence The incident became a cautionary tale in entertainment circles, spotlighting the importance of vetting even the smallest production details. According to a trivia post on IMDB, the show originally used only an eight-digit number, not accounting for South Korea's tendency to auto-append the '010' prefix—an oversight that turned fiction into far-reaching reality. For Gil-young, the viral fame was unwanted. Her ordeal may not have involved life-or-death games, but it certainly highlighted how quickly the boundaries between on-screen fiction and real-world consequences can blur. Season 3 Arrives, But the Backstory Lives On As the much-anticipated Season 3 rolls out across global time zones—from 12:30 p.m. IST in India to 5 p.m. in Japan—millions will return to the thrilling universe of Squid Game. But behind the blood-red sets and masked men lies a strange footnote in TV history: a woman whose phone never stopped ringing, thanks to eight digits that should never have been real. Because sometimes, the most surprising twist in a survival drama… isn't even in the script.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
What breaks each zodiac sign's heart the most
Twelve figures embody the emotional vulnerabilities of their zodiac signs against a backdrop of swirling nebulae. Each pose subtly conveys their inner struggles. Heartbreak doesn't always come from romantic endings—it can also come from being misunderstood, undervalued, or emotionally betrayed in subtle ways. Each zodiac sign experiences emotional pain differently, based on their inner nature, expectations, and vulnerabilities. Aries Being ignored or replaced. Aries gives their all in love and friendship. Nothing breaks their heart more than someone moving on quickly or acting like they never mattered. Taurus Betrayal of trust. Loyal to the core, Taurus values stability. Sudden changes, broken promises, or dishonesty shake their emotional foundation and leave lasting pain. Gemini Silence and emotional distance. Gemini craves communication. Being shut out, ghosted, or emotionally dismissed makes them feel invisible and hurt in ways they can't easily explain. Cancer Rejection of their emotional vulnerability. When Cancer opens up, it's a big deal. Being mocked, ignored, or emotionally abandoned after expressing their feelings cuts the deepest. Leo Feeling unappreciated. Leo's heart breaks when their love, effort, or presence goes unnoticed. They need to feel special to the ones they care about most. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cuối cùng, chơi miễn phí game chiến thuật hay nhất 2025! Sea of Conquest Phát ngay Undo Virgo Being misunderstood despite good intentions. Virgo tries hard to help and support, so being accused unfairly or overlooked despite their efforts deeply wounds them. Libra Disharmony and unfair treatment. Libra aches when relationships turn cold, imbalanced, or one-sided. Being treated unjustly or witnessing conflict breaks their inner peace. Scorpio Breach of emotional trust. Scorpio opens their heart slowly and cautiously. A betrayal—especially emotional or romantic—can leave scars they carry for years. Sagittarius Feeling trapped or emotionally manipulated. Sagittarius values freedom and honesty. Being guilt-tripped, emotionally cornered, or lied to feels like a betrayal of their spirit. Capricorn Being seen as cold when they're hurting inside. Capricorn hides emotions behind strength. What breaks them is being misunderstood or abandoned when they're quietly struggling. Aquarius Being rejected for who they are. Aquarius often feels different, and when someone makes them feel like they don't belong or aren't 'enough,' it deeply affects them. Pisces Emotional disconnection. Pisces craves deep, soulful connection. Being treated insensitively or with emotional indifference can quietly shatter their inner world. Each zodiac sign carries its own emotional sensitivities. Heartbreak doesn't always come from grand betrayals—sometimes, it's the small emotional wounds that linger the longest. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
