From Ahaan Panday to Aryan Khan, Bollywood’s Gen-Z star kids are carving their own identity in the industry

Being born into a Bollywood family may guarantee visibility; but not on-screen success. The audience today has high expectations of skilled acting, varietal roles and well-scripted dialogues so it has become the need of the hour for Gen Z star kids to prove their ability, regardless of the surnames they arrive on set with. With social media observing every move they make and nepotism having been ingrained in the film industry, these celebrity kids of Bollywood families who are choosing the entertainment industry as a career option are stepping into the fray with monumental pressure on their shoulders, with the need to work harder than ever to establish themselves. While family connections may open doors, staying in the industry will depend entirely on their skills, choices, and the ability to connect with audiences on their own.

Here’s a look at the next generation of Bollywood star kids and their trajectories in the film industry.

1. Ahaan Panday

Debuting in Saiyaara (2025), Ahaan Panday, is the son of businessman Chikki Panday and wellness expert, Deanne Panday. He is the nephew of actor Chunky Panday and cousin to actress Ananya Panday. Educated at Oberoi International School, he later studied Film & Television Production at the University of Mumbai. Before stepping into acting, he worked as an assistant director on films like Mardaani 2 and Rock On 2. The promising newcomer has already created momentum with his debut, and both fans and critics are watching closely to see his trajectory in Bollywood.

2. Suhana Khan

Debuting in The Archies (2023), the daughter of Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan has been in the limelight since childhood but held off until she grew up to hone her craft. Trained at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, she made her debut with Zoya Akhtar's The Archies, a movie that introduced new talent like herself and several other celebrity children, in a vintage landscape. Following SRK's footsteps, she has the onus of proving that she is not just his daughter but a skilled actress like her famous father.

3. Khushi Kapoor

Debuting alongside Suhana in The Archies (2023), she is the daughter of late Sridevi and Boney Kapoor and the sister of Janhvi Kapoor. Having one of the most iconic actresses in Indian cinema as her mother, Khushi has a huge responsibility on her shoulders. She made her debut in Bollywood along with other newbies in the Netflix release, which was contrary to her sister Janhvi, who made a mainstream debut. Khushi chose a film that allowed her to gain credibility first before entering commercial cinema.

3. Aryan Khan

Aryan Khan is the eldest son of Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan and interior designer, Gauri Khan and is the brother of Suhana Khan. Raised in Mumbai, he belongs to one of India’s most prominent film families. Aryan studied at the prestigious Seven Oaks School in London, followed by USC School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, where he focused on filmmaking and writing. SRK famously told David Letterman that Aryan isn’t interested in acting as he has the achievements of his father to live up to. While he lent his voice as a child artist in The Lion King's Hindi language version in 2019, Aryan will officially step into the industry as a writer and director, and debut with the upcoming Red Chillies Entertainment’s series The Bastards of Bollywood.

4. Shanaya Kapoor

Debuting in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (2025), she is the daughter of Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor and the cousin of Bollywood celebrities Sonam Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor. Already having a fan following with social media and brand promotions, Shanaya Kapoor debuted with a musical drama, alongside Vikrant Massey, after previous film launches of hers fell through. Shanaya was earlier scheduled to make her debut with Karan Johar's production feature Bedhadak, which was announced in 2022 but later, shelved. The true test will be to establish her acting talent in a film career that goes beyond glamour.

5. Rasha Thadani

Rasha Thadani is the daughter of actress, Raveena Tandon and film distributor, Anil Thadani. Belonging to a prominent film family, she grew up in Mumbai, studied at Dhirubhai Ambani International School and is passionate about the arts. Rasha made her acting debut at 19-years-old in the period action-drama Azaad (2025) opposite Aaman Devgan, nephew of Ajay Devgn, who was 25-years-old when the film premiered. Before the film's release, she made news for performer in the song, Uyi Amma, as the teenage lead performer of a commercial Bollywood dance number.

6. Junaid Khan

Debuting in Maharaj (2024), the son of Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta is unlike most star kids. Steering clear from the limelight, having no public social media presence and even preferring rickshaws to chauffeured cars to navigate Mumbai traffic, Junaid Khan took an unconventional path and dedicated years to theatre before making his film debut. His first project, Maharaj, is a period drama produced by Yash Raj Films which won acclaim and in 2025, he acted as a conventional romantic lead in the commercial rom-com, Loveyapa, opposite Khushi Kapoor. Despite being Aamir Khan’s son, he has kept a low profile, allowing his work to speak for itself. His greatest challenge will be living up to his father’s reputation for perfection.

7. Ibrahim Ali Khan

Debuting in Nadaaniyan (2025), the son of Saif Ali Khan and his first wife, Amrita Singh, the young actor is also the brother of actress Sara Ali Khan. Ibrahim Ali Khan followed in his father’s footsteps as a rom-com lead opposite Khushi Kapoor and debuted in Karan Johar’s Nadaaniyan, which headed to Netflix for a direct-to-digital release. He appeared next in another digital release, Sarzameen. He has already worked behind the scenes as an assistant director on Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, showcasing an interest in filmmaking. With his striking resemblance to Saif, audiences will naturally compare the two, which makes it even more crucial for him to prove he has his own cinematic identity.

8. Pashmina Roshan

Debuting in Ishq Vishk Rebound (2024), the niece of Hrithik Roshan and daughter of Rajesh Roshan joined the world of Bollywood with Ishq Vishk Rebound, a follow-up to the 2000s hit, Ishq Vishk. Hailing from the music and film-industry-rooted Roshan family, she has a huge legacy to live up to. But in contrast with Hrithik's over-the-top launch in Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, Pashmina launched with a more quiet release. With a performance that was hailed by critics, we will wait to see the path that Pashmina takes in Bollywood.

9. Alizeh Agnihotri

Debuting in Farrey (2023), the niece of Salman Khan and daughter of his sister, Alvira Agnihotri and Atul Agnihotri, Alizeh took a different path compared to her contemporaries. While most of her peers opted for glamorous debuts, Alizeh Agnihotri chose Farrey, a thriller under Salman Khan Films, to begin her career with a performance-oriented trajectory. Her starting point with a script-driven film instead of an entertainer suggests she is serious about her career.

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10. Alaya F

Alaya F is the daughter of actress Pooja Bedi, and the granddaughter of veteran actor Kabir Bedi and classical dancer Protima Bedi. Alaya made her Bollywood debut with Jawaani Jaaneman (2020) opposite Saif Ali Khan, earning praise for her confident performance and promising screen presence. Coming from creative lineage, she studied at Jamnabai Narsee School, and pursued higher studies in film and acting at New York Film Academy and New York University. Trained in contemporary and Kathak dance, she honed her artistic skills before entering films and regularly posts about her wellness and fitness journey.

As they step into the limelight, only time will tell who among them will rise above privilege and emerge as Bollywood’s next true superstar.

Text by Divya Batra

Edited by Dayle Pereira-Alemao

(Also Read: 7 Bollywood friendships that are more family than friends)