Highly educated Bollywood actors include Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon, who are engineers, Taapsee Pannu, who worked as a software engineer, Parineeti Chopra, who holds a triple honours degree from Manchester, and Sara Ali Khan, a Columbia University graduate. Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham and Vidya Balan also have strong academic records.
Why this list still gets searched
Film families, nepotism debates and overnight fame often dominate Bollywood talk. That is why fans like to know which stars studied engineering, economics or sociology before they faced a camera. For many of them, the degree was a back-up plan that they never needed, and for some, it shaped how they pick roles and run businesses.
We have checked each actor’s education again for this 2026 update, corrected a few details from our older version and added two names.
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Quick facts
| Actor | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Vicky Kaushal | Engineering (2009) | Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Mumbai |
| Taapsee Pannu | Computer Science Engineering | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi |
| Amitabh Bachchan | BSc (1962) | Kirori Mal College, Delhi University |
| Shah Rukh Khan | BA Economics | Hansraj College, Delhi University |
| Ayushmann Khurrana | English Literature; MA Mass Communication | DAV College; Panjab University |
| John Abraham | Economics; MBA | Jai Hind College, Mumbai |
| Sonu Sood | Electronics Engineering | Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Nagpur |
| Parineeti Chopra | Triple honours: business, finance, economics | Manchester Business School, UK |
| Vidya Balan | BA and MA Sociology | St. Xavier’s College; University of Mumbai |
| Randeep Hooda | Marketing; master’s in business and HR | Melbourne, Australia |
| Kriti Sanon | BTech Electronics and Telecommunication | Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida |
| Sara Ali Khan | BA History and Political Science (2016) | Columbia University, New York |
Highly educated Bollywood actors you didn’t know about
1. Vicky Kaushal
Vicky Kaushal finished his engineering degree at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Mumbai, in 2009. He has said in interviews that he chose acting over a campus job offer. In 2025 he played Chhatrapati Sambhaji in Chhaava, his biggest hit so far and one of the top Hindi grossers of the year.
2. Taapsee Pannu
Taapsee Pannu studied computer science engineering under Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in Delhi and worked as a software engineer. Modelling came next, through Channel V’s Get Gorgeous in 2008, and films followed. Her 2026 work includes Anubhav Sinha’s courtroom drama Assi.
3. Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, and then earned a Bachelor of Science from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, in 1962. He worked in Kolkata before he moved to Mumbai to try his luck in films. Our older version mentioned other degrees that we could not confirm, so we have removed them.
4. Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan earned a BA in economics at Hansraj College, Delhi University, where he also trained with Delhi’s Theatre Action Group. He then joined a master’s in mass communication at Jamia Millia Islamia, which he left to pursue acting. In 2025 he won his first National Film Award for Best Actor, for Jawan.
5. Ayushmann Khurrana
Ayushmann Khurrana studied English literature at DAV College, Chandigarh, and holds a master’s in mass communication from Panjab University’s School of Communication Studies. That background shows in his early career as a radio jockey and TV anchor. His 2025 release was the horror comedy Thamma.
6. John Abraham
John Abraham studied economics at Jai Hind College, Mumbai, and then completed an MBA. He worked in media planning and modelling before films. Today he is also a producer, with films like Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe under his banner.
7. Sonu Sood
Sonu Sood is an electronics engineer from Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering in Nagpur. He grew up in Moga, Punjab, and became known across India for his help to migrant workers during the 2020 lockdown. In 2025 he made his debut as a director with Fateh.
8. Parineeti Chopra
Parineeti Chopra moved to England at 17 and earned a triple honours degree in business, finance and economics from Manchester Business School. She first joined Yash Raj Films in a marketing role before making her acting debut. Her performance as Amarjot in Amar Singh Chamkila (2024) won wide praise.
9. Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan studied sociology at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and completed a master’s in sociology from the University of Mumbai. She began on television with the sitcom Hum Paanch before her Hindi film debut in Parineeta (2005). Her recent work includes Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024).
10. Randeep Hooda
Randeep Hooda went to Melbourne, Australia, in 1995, where he completed a bachelor’s in marketing and a master’s in business management and human resource management. In 2024 he directed, wrote and starred in Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, and in 2025 he played the villain in Jaat.
Two more names for 2026
11. Kriti Sanon
Kriti Sanon has a BTech in electronics and telecommunication engineering from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida. She modelled during college and started in Telugu cinema before her Hindi debut, Heropanti (2014). She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for Mimi.
12. Sara Ali Khan
Sara Ali Khan studied history and political science at Columbia University in New York and graduated in 2016, finishing in three years. She made her debut in Kedarnath (2018). In 2026 she appeared opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in Pati Patni Aur Woh Do. More star profiles are in our celebs and Bollywood sections.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the most educated actor in Bollywood?
There is no official ranking. Names often cited include Randeep Hooda and Ayushmann Khurrana, who hold master’s degrees, and engineers such as Vicky Kaushal, Kriti Sanon and Sonu Sood.
Which Bollywood actors are engineers?
Vicky Kaushal, Taapsee Pannu, Kriti Sanon and Sonu Sood all studied engineering before acting.
What did Shah Rukh Khan study?
Shah Rukh Khan has a BA in economics from Hansraj College, Delhi University. He started a master’s in mass communication at Jamia Millia Islamia but left to act.
Which Bollywood actress studied abroad?
Parineeti Chopra studied at Manchester Business School in the UK, and Sara Ali Khan graduated from Columbia University in the US.
Sources: Wikipedia: Shah Rukh Khan, Wikipedia: Vicky Kaushal, Wikipedia: Parineeti Chopra, Wikipedia: Sara Ali Khan.
