Image Source: Mid-Day
Key Highlights
Sara Arjun, a former India's richest child actor, is now entering the limelight as a leading lady in Aditya Dhar's action-thriller Dhurandhar, featuring Ranveer Singh. Her move from legendary child roles to a grand Bollywood debut is indicative of the success stories of several other actresses, who began their journey as child artists and reached the top.
Sara Arjun's Life
Raj Arjun's daughter Sara Arjun started acting at the age of not more than two years old and became a household name with Deiva Thirumagal (2011). She continued acting in films like Ek Thi Daayan, Saivam, Saand Ki Aankh, and as young Nandini in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan series, which earned ₹800 crore across the globe and made her a bankable young heroine.
Now 20, Sara's role in Dhurandhar as the female protagonist is her formal Bollywood launch. The December 5, 2025, release is a patriotic spy action film starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal. The combination with the much older Ranveer Singh (40) has been controversial, but also indicates Sara's launch as an older, serious performer ready for full-bodied roles.
Other Child Stars Who Became Leading Ladies
Sridevi: The icon actress started life as a child actor in South Indian films and turned into one of the most popular Bollywood stars.
Shweta Basu Prasad: Won a National Award as a child for Makdee and went on to act in films and award-winning web series.
Hansika Motwani: Became popular because of television series such as Shaka Laka Boom Boom prior to starring in top Tamil and Telugu movies.
Urmila Matondkar: Began as a child artist in Masoom and continued to appear as a star in blockbusters such as Rangeela and Satya. Alia Bhatt: Began on screen as a child in Sangharsh before getting her first lead in Student of the Year.
A New Beginning for Sara and Bollywood
Sara Arjun's transition to adulthood is a familiar but endearing Bollywood phenomenon: child stars, with years of experience and fame, tend to add depth and richness to their adult performances. With Dhurandhar, Sara enters the spotlight, becoming part of a rare group of actresses who have successfully made the transition pay off, demonstrating that early promise can translate into lasting glory.
Sources: Times of India, Economic Times, Hindustan Times
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