Bollywood celebrities who belong to military families
Several Bollywood stars come from military backgrounds, carrying forward the discipline and values instilled by their families. These actors often credit their upbringing for shaping their strong work ethic and dedication to their craft in the film industry
Suniel Shetty Suniel Shetty’s father, Veerappa Shetty, was an officer in the Indian Army. Born and brought up in a disciplined military household, Suniel often credits his father’s strict upbringing for instilling values like hard work and discipline in him. Though he initially pursued business, he later became one of Bollywood’s most beloved action stars.
2/9
Abhay Deol Abhay Deol belongs to a family with strong military ties as his grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel Rameshwar Nath Deol served in the Indian Army. Despite being a part of the famous Deol film dynasty, Abhay has carved his own niche in Bollywood with unconventional and critically acclaimed roles.
3/9
Randeep Hooda Randeep Hooda’s father, Dr. Ranbir Hooda, was an officer in the Indian Army’s Medical Corps. Growing up in a military environment, Randeep developed a disciplined approach to life, which reflects in his intense acting style. He is known for his dedication to method acting and physically demanding roles.
4/9
Priyanka Chopra Before becoming a global superstar, Priyanka Chopra spent part of her childhood in military quarters. Both her parents, Dr. Ashok Chopra and Dr. Madhu Chopra, were physicians in the Indian Army. She has often spoken about how moving between different army bases shaped her adaptable personality.
Ranvijay Singha Rannvijay Singha rose to fame as a youth icon on MTV Roadies, but his initial career aspirations were quite different. Inspired by his father, a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army, Rannvijay once dreamed of serving in the armed forces. He even cleared the rigorous SSB (Services Selection Board) exam before shifting gears to entertainment. Though he chose a different path, his disciplined fitness regime and strong persona reflect the values instilled in him by his military upbringing.
6/9
Sharman Joshi Sharman Joshi’s father, Ravindra Joshi, served in the Indian Army before becoming a Gujarati theatre artist. Sharman has often credited his disciplined upbringing for his versatility as an actor, balancing commercial and offbeat films with ease.
7/9
Akshay Kumar Akshay has a special connection with the military, having been raised in an army family. His father, Hari Om Bhatia, served as an officer in the Amritsar Regiment of the Indian Army, instilling in him core values like punctuality, fitness, and humility. His disciplined upbringing—marked by early mornings, rigorous workouts, and a down-to-earth attitude—continues to shape his life and career.
8/9
Anushka Sharma Anushka’s father, Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma, was an Indian Army officer who fought in the Kargil War, leading to a nomadic upbringing typical of military families. She attended Army School in Bengaluru, and the discipline and resilience instilled in her during those years have kept her grounded throughout her successful Bollywood career.
Lara Dutta Lara Dutta, the ex-Miss Universe and accomplished Bollywood star, comes from a military background as her father, Wing Commander L.K. Dutta, served in the Indian Air Force. She frequently expresses pride in her army upbringing, crediting it for teaching her discipline and grace, qualities that played a key role in her success on international stages like Miss Universe and in her acting career.
