EXCLUSIVE: Ahsaas Channa REVEALS the entertainment industry compelled her to play boy roles as a child actor; admits, “They didn’t let my hair grow back”

Ahsaas Channa is a talented Indian actress known for her work across films, television, and digital platforms. She began her career as a child artist and transitioned into a prominent presence in the Indian entertainment industry, particularly in web series and online content. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Ahsaas Channa reveals how the entertainment industry forced her to play boy roles as a child actor.

Ahsaas Channa on playing boy child actor

When asked if it were a conscious call to play a boy child actor in Bollywood, Ahsaas Channa said, “No, it wasn’t a conscious decision; it just happened. It was situational. For some reason, I had my mundan (head shaving) ceremony when I was three years old—I don’t know why it happened, but I was bald at the time. Coincidentally, auditions were happening then, and the audition for Vaastu Shastra came up. Apparently, it was imperative to audition for it because they were looking for a child for the role. So, I auditioned, and they really liked me for the part, but they wanted a boy.”

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She recalled, “Since I was four years old, they convinced my mother to let me play a boy. My mom agreed, thinking, ‘She’s just four, what’s the harm?’ After Vaastu Shastra, the film became a hit, and word spread in the industry about a new child actor who was good. With child actors, it’s tricky—the child also needs to have the right personality. After that, I did follow-ups, like Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK), which was such a big film. But the industry didn’t let my hair grow back, which could have affected me psychologically as a young child.”

The actress concluded, “However, I was always aware of who I was—I knew I was a girl. My mother constantly reminded me, so it didn’t mess with my identity. I went to school and worked on sets as a girl. I was always told that this was acting and just a part of my job. Somehow, it never messed with my head. While it’s possible that it could affect someone, it didn’t happen to me.”

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Ahsaas Channa on playing girl actor

When asked if it were a conscious call to play a girl actor from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna to Phoonk, Ahsaas replied, “Of course, my mother was the one who actually wanted it to stop, I think, from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna onwards, or even much before that. I think KANK was the last film she wanted it to end with, but again, because things were going so well—and who wouldn’t want this kind of opportunity? Touch wood, we were getting really, really good opportunities. If you get a chance to do a Karan Johar film with Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta, you can’t say no.”

Ahsaas further said, “She knew that this was going to help me with my future and career ahead. So, the opportunities kept coming, and we couldn’t stop. But when she figured out that, okay, now this is it—like, I was 10 years old, and this couldn’t continue anymore—that’s when we had to take a bit of a break. We took a few months off to let me breathe and relax a bit. And then, luckily, Phoonk happened. We did Phoonk.”

Watch the full interview

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