He shifted to US and became a techie but once played Amitabh Bachchan in big Bollywood movies

Time of India

3 hours ago

Alankar Joshi: A Star Child Who Switched to Software
Ravi Valecha: From Screen to Hospitality
Mayur Raj Verma: From Abhimanyu to Restaurateur
In the golden era of Hindi cinema, few faces were as recognisable as the young boys who portrayed Amitabh Bachchan 's childhood versions on screen. From Deewar to Coolie, these child actors captured hearts with their performances and often became more in demand than adult leads. But as the years passed, each of these promising talents chose a different path—some moved abroad, others built empires, while a few simply disappeared from the spotlight.One of the most prominent names among Bollywood's child actors in the 1970s was Alankar Joshi, popularly known as Master Alankar. He appeared in over 100 Hindi films and delivered memorable performances in titles like Seeta Aur Geeta, Majboor, and Deewar, where he played the young Vijay, the character portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan.Alankar's sister, actor Pallavi Joshi, shared in a Friday Talkies interview that it was Amitabh Bachchan himself who suggested casting Alankar in Deewar. She recalled her brother's sharp observational skills on set, including how he noticed a shirt knot Bachchan used in a scene and asked director Yash Chopra if he could replicate it.Despite his early fame, Alankar found it difficult to continue acting as an adult. He briefly explored direction and production in Marathi cinema but eventually left the industry. He turned to software programming, moved to the U.S., and worked in IT for two years before starting his own company. According to Pallavi, he has been in the U.S. for over three decades and now runs a successful business. Media reports estimate his net worth at around Rs 200 crore. His daughters have pursued acting careers in Hollywood, while his son is a budding singer.Known professionally as Master Ravi, Ravi Valecha played the younger version of Amitabh Bachchan in hits like Amar Akbar Anthony, Coolie, and Mr. Natwarlal. He was often referred to as 'Chhota Amitabh' and worked with major stars like Dilip Kumar and Rishi Kapoor during the peak of his career.Ravi began acting at the age of four and rose to fame by the late 1970s. However, like many child stars, he did not find similar success as an adult actor. Eventually, he left the film industry, earned a diploma in Hotel Management, and completed an MBA with specialisations in Hospitality and International Business. Today, he is a well-known figure in the hospitality sector and mentors students in personality development and soft skills for industry readiness, as reported by News18.Another celebrated child actor was Master Mayur, whose real name is Mayur Raj Verma. Known for playing the young Amitabh in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Laawaris, he was the highest-paid child actor of his time. He later gained further recognition as Abhimanyu in BR Chopra's Mahabharata.Mayur's entry into cinema was serendipitous. His mother, a journalist, met director Prakash Mehra during an interview and offered her son's photo when Mehra was casting a child who resembled Amitabh Bachchan. The rest was history.Despite a successful streak that included films like Sharabi and Love in Goa, Mayur eventually stepped away from acting. He moved to Wales, married celebrity chef Noori, and together they built a thriving restaurant business in Indiana. Today, he is involved in multiple successful ventures and has accumulated wealth reportedly in the billions.