Many of us love watching our favourite Bollywood actors and actresses on screen. We see their acting, dancing, and how they play different roles in movies. But what many people don’t know is that some of these Bollywood stars have done their education abroad before coming into films. They studied in places like the USA, UK, Singapore, and Australia. Some of them went for school, and some to college or acting courses.
Studying in foreign countries helped them learn many new things. They got to see different cultures, meet people from around the world, and become more confident. Their education abroad made them grow as a person before they became stars. This is one of the reasons why many of them speak so well and carry themselves with so much grace.
In this article, you will read about some well-known Bollywood celebrities who studied abroad. From Parineeti Chopra to Sara Ali Khan, many big names went to famous schools and colleges outside India. These stars show us that having a good education is always helpful, even in the world of films. Let’s take a look at these amazing stories of learning and success.
Parineeti Chopra is not just an actress but was also very good at studies. She went to the UK and studied at Manchester Business School. She did a triple honours degree in Business, Finance, and Economics.
She wanted to become an investment banker and even worked in that field before acting. Her education abroad helped her become smart, confident, and clear in her goals. Later she changed her path and joined Bollywood.
Priyanka Chopra, one of the biggest global Bollywood stars, went to the USA when she was 12. She studied in schools like Newton North High School and John F. Kennedy High School.
Living in the US at a young age helped her understand different people and culture. This made her more bold and ready for anything. Her time in the USA gave her a lot of strength before joining the Hindi film industry.
Saif Ali Khan, known as the Nawab of Pataudi, went to England for his schooling. He studied at Lockers Park School and later went to Winchester College, a very old and famous school in the UK.
His education there was very strict and full of discipline. Saif learned to think in a smart and calm way. His classy and royal image in Bollywood comes from this kind of British-style upbringing.
Soha Ali Khan, sister of Saif Ali Khan, is one of the most educated Bollywood actresses. She studied Modern History at Oxford University in the UK, and after that, she did a Master’s in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
Soha always loved learning and reading. Her education gave her confidence and helped her choose different kinds of roles in Bollywood, not just commercial ones.
Abhishek Bachchan, son of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, went to Boston University in the USA after finishing school in India and Switzerland.
He didn’t finish his degree, but he did spend time learning in the US. That experience gave him a better view of the world. His time abroad made him more mature and helped him when he came back to join the Indian film industry.
Ranbir Kapoor always wanted to become a good actor, so he went to New York to study. He joined the School of Visual Arts and also trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
There he learned how to understand characters and show emotions. His time in the US helped him become the kind of actor who gives deep and real performances in his films.
Sonam Kapoor, known for her fashion and films, went to United World College in Singapore for school. Later, she also studied arts and theatre at the University of East London.
Her studies gave her a new way to think about fashion and cinema. Living abroad gave her confidence and helped her express herself better. You can see her international taste in her style and work.
Varun Dhawan studied Business Management at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. Before coming into acting, he wanted to understand how business works. His education taught him about discipline, planning, and hard work.
After coming back to India, he worked as an assistant director first. His international studies helped him stay focused in the film industry and understand both the art and business sides of movies.
9. Sara Ali Khan studied at Columbia University
Sara Ali Khan is one of the few Bollywood actresses who completed her full degree before acting. She studied at Columbia University in New York, where she did History and Political Science.
She finished her degree early in just three years. Studying in the USA helped her become confident and smart. Even after joining Bollywood, her personality shows that she is well-educated and very clear in her thinking.
10. Arjun Kapoor learned filmmaking abroad
Arjun Kapoor was always interested in movies, not just acting but the whole process. He went abroad and took a course in filmmaking, where he studied editing, screenwriting, and other film-related things.
His education helped him understand how movies are made behind the scenes. That knowledge gave him a better idea of what to do in front of the camera too. His international learning shaped his career.
11. Shraddha Kapoor studied in Boston
Shraddha Kapoor went to Boston University to study theatre. She was always interested in acting, and studying abroad helped her learn about stage performance and acting methods.
Though she didn’t complete her degree, the time she spent in the USA gave her a good start. After coming back to India, she joined films. Her soft and emotional acting shows the influence of her education.
12. Imran Khan studied at New York Film Academy
Imran Khan, who acted in many romantic movies, studied at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. He learned about filmmaking, direction, and how movies are made.
Even before acting, he was interested in storytelling. This background helped him in his early acting career. His calm style and simple acting came from the training he got during his time abroad.
13. Athiya Shetty studied acting in New York
Athiya Shetty, daughter of Suniel Shetty, studied at the New York Film Academy where she learned acting and filmmaking. She spent a few years in New York learning about how to act in front of the camera. This gave her confidence and training before joining Bollywood. Her performance shows that she got good training and knows how to carry herself well on screen.
14. Randeep Hooda studied in Australia
Randeep Hooda is known for serious acting and strong roles. Before Bollywood, he went to Australia, where he studied Marketing and Business Management in Melbourne.
While studying, he also did small jobs. That taught him about life and responsibility. Later, he returned to India and started acting. His mature and real acting comes from both his life experiences and his time abroad.
Freida Pinto, who became famous for Slumdog Millionaire, studied English Literature in Mumbai and later took acting classes in the UK.
She learned how to act in front of the camera and how to work in international films. This helped her become a star not just in India but also in Hollywood. Her journey shows how education abroad can open many doors in global cinema.
Conclusion
Many Bollywood stars studied abroad, gaining valuable education and global exposure that helped shape their careers.
Studying overseas offers not just academic knowledge but also new perspectives and skills useful in the entertainment industry.
If you want to follow a similar path and study abroad, connect with upGrad experts for personalized guidance and support on your journey!
FAQs
Which Bollywood stars have studied abroad?
Many Bollywood actors like Priyanka Chopra, Parineeti Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, and Varun Dhawan did their education abroad. They went mostly to the USA or the UK.
Why did these Bollywood actors go overseas for education?
Some wanted better study options, some moved with family, and some went for special acting courses. Living outside India gave them new ideas and bigger confidence.
Did their foreign studies help in films?
Yes, their education abroad made them speak better, think wider, and handle the busy film industry with more ease.
Who from Bollywood studied at Oxford University?
Soha Ali Khan did Modern History at Oxford, then a master’s at London School of Economics.
Did Priyanka Chopra really study in the USA?
Yes, she stayed in the USA from age 12, going to schools in Massachusetts and Iowa before coming back home.
Which actor finished college at Columbia University?
Sara Ali Khan did. She earned a degree in History and Political Science at Columbia, New York.
Where did Ranbir Kapoor learn acting?
He trained in New York at the School of Visual Arts and the Lee Strasberg Institute, both well-known for acting classes.
Who studied Business Management in the UK?
Varun Dhawan got his Business Management degree from Nottingham Trent University.
Which two stars went to New York Film Academy?
Both Imran Khan and Athiya Shetty joined NYFA to study filmmaking and acting.
Did every star finish their foreign degrees?
No. Abhishek Bachchan and Shraddha Kapoor left midway to start work in Bollywood, but the time abroad still helped them.
Any Bollywood star who studied in Australia?
Yes, Randeep Hooda did Marketing and Business in Melbourne, Australia.
What kind of courses did these actors choose?
They did many things—Business, Economics, History, Theatre, pure Acting—whatever felt right for them.
Is studying abroad needed to join Bollywood?
No, not a must. But these Bollywood stars who studied abroad say the lessons and life skills they got there sure make acting and public life a bit easier.
A post graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, Pratishtha enjoys penning down things significant. What interests her the most is exploring and researching on gamut of study abroad.
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