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Sreeleela to Sara Arjun: Young budding actresses managing movies and higher education together

From Sreeleela pursuing MBBS to Rasha Thadani balancing boards with her debut, here’s a look at young actresses like Nitanshi Goel, Aneet Padda and Sara Arjun who are managing higher education alongside their acting careers.

February 11, 2026 / 19:35 IST
In an industry known for demanding schedules, long shoots, and constant promotions, several young stars in their early twenties are choosing to continue their education.
Snapshot AI
  • Young actresses Sreeleela and Nitanshi Goel juggle acting and education.
  • Sreeleela pursues an MBBS degree while starring in Telugu cinema
  • Rasha Thadani studies business management alongside her Bollywood debut

Whether it’s Sara Arjun gaining attention for her role as Yaleena Jamil in Dhurandhar or Sreeleela, whose rising popularity in South cinema is set to grow even more with her Bollywood debut, today’s young actresses are proving that ambition can take many forms.

In an industry known for demanding schedules, long shoots, and constant promotions, several young stars in their early twenties are choosing to continue their education. From medical degrees to business courses, these performers are balancing scripts and studies with great effort.

Here’s a look at actresses who are either pursuing higher education or have recently achieved important academic milestones while building their acting careers.

Sreeleela

Sreeleela is definitely one of the fastest-rising stars in Telugu cinema. With multiple releases and a quickly growing fan base, she has made a strong mark in the industry at a young age. What makes her journey even more remarkable is her commitment to academics.

The actress has been pursuing a medical degree (MBBS) while managing her successful film career. Even during busy shooting schedules, she has taken exams and met hospital training commitments. Balancing the demands of medical studies with commercial cinema is challenging, but Sreeleela’s discipline and time management inspire many young aspirants.

Aneet Padda

Aneet Padda, who impressed audiences with her performance in Salaam Venky and the series Big

Girls Don’t Cry, entered the entertainment world early in life. She pursued her higher education at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, where she studied political science and humanities. During this period, she balanced academics with her growing presence in the entertainment industry, managing auditions, modelling assignments, and early appearances in commercials for brands such as Cadbury and Paytm.

In interviews, Aneet has talked about studying between shoots and preparing for exams during filming. Her story reflects a new generation of actors who value long-term growth, understanding that education and creativity can go hand in hand.

Rasha Thadani

Rasha Thadani, the daughter of actor Raveena Tandon, recently made her Bollywood debut with the

Film Azad, alongside Aman Devgan, and she has already generated significant buzz, especially with her performance in the song Ui amma in the film.

Even though she started films early, Rasha has stayed focused on her studies. She graduated from Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai and is currently pursuing a degree in business management. Notably, she was studying for her Class 12 board exams while also shooting for her first film Azad.

Nitanshi Goel

Nitanshi Goel gained widespread attention for her role in Laapataa Ladies, but her journey began even earlier as a child actor on television.

Throughout her early career, Nitanshi balanced acting projects with school. She attended The Khaitan School (Nursery to Class V) and then Ryan International School. During the filming of Laapataa Ladies, she reportedly prepared for her Class 9 exams on set.

Also read: Sreeleela completes medical degree, celebrates with classmates at the graduation ceremony

In 2024, she completed her higher secondary education while also managing film promotions and public events, clearly demonstrating her determination to succeed in both areas.

Sara Arjun

Sara Arjun began her acting career as one of India’s most beloved child actors, winning hearts with films like Deiva Thirumagal and later taking part in high-profile projects across various industries. Sara has continued her studies alongside her development as a performer, ensuring that learning remains a vital part of her journey.

M Snehanjali
M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom.
first published: Feb 11, 2026 07:00 pm

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