Shah Rukh Khan's co-star delves into why 'you can't make money as an actor,' reveals writing letters and drawing greeting cards for him on set
, who starred with
Shah Rukh Khan
and
Preity Zinta
in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', recently shared that one cannot make money by acting as a job. For those who don't remember, the actress played the role of SRK and Preity's son in the film.
She also starred as a boy in
Sushmita Sen
's 2004 release, 'Vaastu Shastra'.
Here's why Ahsaas feels that a person cannot rely on acting for their sources of income.
Ahsaas Channa says, 'You can't make money as an actor'
On the Humans of Bombay podcast, the actress shared her views about relying on acting as a job. She said, "I feel you can't make money as an actor. You've to do brand deals and endorsements to make money because brands only have the money to give you."
Channa further elaborated on her statement, sharing that she would not say she doesn't earn money by acting, but not enough.
The actress added that she wouldn't do as many projects in a single year as brands. Ahsaas said that she would manage one or two projects in a year and get paid a certain amount for the same. However, on the other hand, she can do "20 brands a year to make a bigger amount of money."
In the same interview, Ahsaas shared that she is "privileged" and "lucky" that she can choose her projects and not pick anything just for the sake of getting paid.
She said that brands are her backup and feels okay to not do a project in a year sometimes. The actress stated, "Financially, acting is not my first go-to option; it's brands."
Ahsaas talks about working with Shah Rukh Khan
Ahsaas Channa shared that working with Shah Rukh Khan was one of the "best experiences". Calling him "humble" and "hard-working", the actress revealed that she used to draw greeting cards and write letters for him on the set. She said, "He was the first one who started clapping for me after I gave a shot, which was a really difficult one that didn't make it to the film."
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Shah Rukh Khan's co-star delves into why 'you can't make money as an actor,' reveals writing letters and drawing greeting cards for him on set
Ahsaas Channa , who starred with Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', recently shared that one cannot make money by acting as a job. For those who don't remember, the actress played the role of SRK and Preity's son in the film. She also starred as a boy in Sushmita Sen 's 2004 release, 'Vaastu Shastra'. Here's why Ahsaas feels that a person cannot rely on acting for their sources of income. Ahsaas Channa says, 'You can't make money as an actor' On the Humans of Bombay podcast, the actress shared her views about relying on acting as a job. She said, "I feel you can't make money as an actor. You've to do brand deals and endorsements to make money because brands only have the money to give you." Channa further elaborated on her statement, sharing that she would not say she doesn't earn money by acting, but not enough. The actress added that she wouldn't do as many projects in a single year as brands. Ahsaas said that she would manage one or two projects in a year and get paid a certain amount for the same. However, on the other hand, she can do "20 brands a year to make a bigger amount of money." In the same interview, Ahsaas shared that she is "privileged" and "lucky" that she can choose her projects and not pick anything just for the sake of getting paid. She said that brands are her backup and feels okay to not do a project in a year sometimes. The actress stated, "Financially, acting is not my first go-to option; it's brands." Ahsaas talks about working with Shah Rukh Khan Ahsaas Channa shared that working with Shah Rukh Khan was one of the "best experiences". Calling him "humble" and "hard-working", the actress revealed that she used to draw greeting cards and write letters for him on the set. She said, "He was the first one who started clapping for me after I gave a shot, which was a really difficult one that didn't make it to the film."
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First Post
a day ago
- First Post
Meet actress Ahsaas Channa, who shocked everyone by playing Shah Rukh Khan's son in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', started working at the age of 5
Though Ahsaas is a girl, she began her acting career playing male characters in films. As a child, she portrayed Rohan in Vaastu Shastra, Arjun (Shah Rukh Khan's son) in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and Ashu in My Friend Ganesha. read more Ahsaas Channa, who shocked everyone by playing Shah Rukh Khan's son in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', turns another year older today. She also played Sushmita Sen's son in the 2004 film Vaastu Shastra. She once revealed, 'Since I was four years old, they convinced my mother to let me play a boy. My mom agreed, thinking, 'She's just four, what's the harm?' After Vaastu Shastra, the film became a hit, and word spread in the industry about a new child actor who was good… But the industry didn't let my hair grow back, which could have affected me psychologically as a young child.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The actress added, 'However, I was always aware of who I was — I knew I was a girl. My mother constantly reminded me, so it didn't mess with my identity. I went to school and worked on sets as a girl. I was always told that this was acting and just a part of my job. Somehow, it never messed with my head.' On working with SRK He's just so humble and hardworking. I used to draw greeting cards for him and wrote letters to him on set. He was the first one who started clapping for me after I gave a shot which was a really difficult one that didn't make it to the film. Unknown facts about Ahsaas Began Her Career Playing Boy Roles Though Ahsaas is a girl, she began her acting career playing male characters in films. As a child, she portrayed Rohan in Vaastu Shastra, Arjun (Shah Rukh Khan's son) in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and Ashu in My Friend Ganesha. Holds a Degree in Psychology Ahsaas is not just talented on screen—she's academically accomplished too. She earned her degree in Psychology from Mumbai University, managing to balance the demands of acting with her studies with impressive discipline. First Role Came by Chance Ahsaas landed her debut role in Vaastu Shastra partly due to timing—she had just undergone a mundan (head-shaving ceremony), and the casting team was searching for a young boy. Her look and audition impressed them, kickstarting her journey as a child actor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Passionate About Theatre Beyond screens big and small, Ahsaas has also stepped into the world of theatre. She currently stars in the play External Affairs, produced by Akvarious Productions. The play has been performed at iconic venues like Prithvi Theatre, including a show on May 24, 2025, showcasing her dynamic range as a performer. Comes from a Creative Family Ahsaas is the daughter of television actress Kulbir Kaur Badesron. Being raised in a family connected to the entertainment industry gave her early exposure to acting. While her mother's experience offered guidance, Ahsaas has carved out her own path with talent, resilience, and dedication.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Shah Rukh Khan's co-star, who started working at 5, says acting doesn't pay: ‘You've to do brand deals, endorsements to make money'
Ahsaas Channa, actor most recently seen in the 2023 Amazon MiniTV show Half CA, started acting at the age of five. She appeared as a boy in Sushmita Sen-starrer 2004 horror film Vaastu Shastra and more memorably, as Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta's son in Karan Johar's 2006 romantic film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. However, Channa feels she still can't earn enough via acting and has to rely on other sources of revenue — like brand deals and endorsements — to make money. 'I feel you can't make money as an actor. You've to do brand deals and endorsements to make money because brands only have the money to give you,' confessed Channa, adding, 'I won't say I don't make money (via acting), but not enough. I'll not do as many projects a year as brands. I'd be able to do only one or two projects a year and make a certain amount of money. But I'll be able to do 20 brands a year to make a bigger amount of money.' On the Humans of Bombay podcast, Channa argued that the money from brand deals helps since she can keep her acting to creative purposes only. 'I think I'm privileged and lucky enough that I get to choose my acting projects only with a creative lens. I don't have to think financially when I have to say yes to an acting project. Say, I don't have work, I don't have money, so I've to say yes to it. Aisa kabhi nahi hua ki kuchh bhi aaya aur kar lia because paise chahiye (It's never happened that I took up anything that came my way because I didn't have money). I've always been in that space in which I say no to a project only if it's not creatively aligned with what I want to do because I have good backup from brands when it comes to money. So it's okay if I don't do any acting project for a year. Financially, acting is not my first go-to option, it's brands,' explained Channa. However, she admitted that being an actor is her primary identity since that helps her secure the brands that pay. 'I'm also not an influencer or a content creator. I'm an actor who has a certain number of followers,' said Channa, adding, 'Luckily, I've done enough projects, or at least one project, a year to stay relevant as an actor for the brands to come and give me those deals. Luck also plays a part there. It's never happened that I've not done an acting project the entire year.' Channa claimed that since not too many people knew that she played a boy in her early films, she gets a lot of DMs from girls who say she broke their heart when they realized the boy they had a crush on is actually a girl. She also called working with Shah Rukh 'one of the best experiences' of her life. 'He's just so humble and hardworking. I used to draw greeting cards for him and wrote letters to him on set. He was the first one who started clapping for me after I gave a shot which was a really difficult one that didn't make it to the film,' recalled Channa. Also Read — 'I got addicted to attention': Ahsaas Channa on how misconceptions about her gender affected career and mental health; challenges of being repeatedly misjudged She also recalled bumping into another Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna co-star Abhishek Bachchan recently at an award show. 'Luckily, I was in the same row. I was contemplating whether I should go meet him, he won't remember me, I'll have to remind him, it's going to be awkward. And I'm just sitting and staring at him. He's talking to a lot of people, he turns and looks at me, and he comes with his arms wide open just to hug me. He says, 'Ahsaas, wow you've grown up!' You have no idea how happy it made me,' said Channa.
