When Kids call the shots

Sadhil Kapoor (Chit-chat Kid)

Age : Nine

Claim to fame: Portraying Ganesha in Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev

Current show: Captain Tiao on Disney

He can play a prank on megastar Amitabh Bachchan without worrying about the consequences, he can also learn dance steps from choreographer Terence Lewis. It’s his innocence that melts many hearts. Sadhil Kapoor, who is going to turn nine, is one of the most famous kids on television right now. He started out when he was just five-and-a-half year old with a show Sankat Mochan Hanuman on Doordarshan. One thing led to another and the popular Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev fell into his laps, making him one of the most admired kids among the television viewing masses. “It wasn’t easy for Sadhil to wear a prosthetic trunk for hours to portray Ganesha in Mahadev but he did that diligently because his grandfather (nana) encouraged him to take up acting and he took that very seriously,” says Kunal Roshanlal Kapoor, Sadhil’s dad as he talks about his son’s inclination towards acting.
Currently, the young artiste is seen interviewing stars on his chat show, Captain Tiao on Disney. “I really enjoy doing the show. I make sure to build a bond with the celebs before the shoot starts and thus I go to their vanity vans to strike a chord,” says Sadhil, who was thrilled when Amitabh Bachchan agreed to come on his show. “I was informed at 12 in the night for a morning shoot and I just couldn’t believe it,” says Sadhil, who successfully completed the first season of the chat show and the second season is on. He is also working in a few big banner films alongside well-known actors.

Akshat Singh

Akshat Singh (Dancing Mania)

Age : Nine

Claim to fame: Salman style dance on India’s Got Talent 5

Upcoming: Participating in Asia’s Got Talent

Last year when a young, overweight kid came on the stage of India’s Got Talent 5, not many would have thought he would instantly connect with the entire nation. With Salman Khan as his idol, the kid who broke into a jig on Baarah mahine mein, baarah tarike se ... with pelvic thrusts included, is now soon to perform on Asia’s Got Talent in Malaysia and Singapore. He already went international when American actress, comedian and chat show host, Ellen DeGenres noticed him and flew him down to New York to be a part of her chat show, The Ellen DeGenres Show.
“These days I am practising five to six hours a day to keep myself fit and active to perform on Asia’s Got Talent,” says Akshat, who is also as focused in his studies as on the activities he is interested in. “My school has been supportive of my hobbies and has even given me a scholarship till Class 12,” says the kid.
His father, a Kolkata-based businessman, however, says that as parents, they try to keep him as unaffected by the popularity as they can. “At the end, he is a kid and we want his innocence to remain intact.”

Ananya Aggarwal

Ananya Aggarwal (Leading Lady)

Age : Ten

Claim to fame: Lizol television commercial

Current: Bandhan on Zee TV

She was just five-and-a-half years old when she first faced the camera for a television commercial for Lizol that would later bring her more projects. Ananya Aggarwal, who is now ten, is the leading lady in Zee TV’s drama, Bandhan, this besides has more than 50 television commercials in her portfolio.
Rinku Aggarwal, Ananya’s mom says that since a very young age, she showed interest in acting. “Through a close contact, we got to know about few auditions where we took Ananya and she was quite comfortable,” says the mom, who thinks that now coping with a daily soap is a little difficult for her daughter. “But she is too enthusiastic to give up her dreams.”
The young actor portrayed a small part in Swastik Production’s Mahabharat. “Since the producers liked her energy and spontaneity, they got in touch with us again and Ananya had to audition for the role in Bandhan,” says Rinku further adding that the auditions went on for 10 rounds as it required Ananya to be comfortable with the elephant that is also the protagonist in the show after which she was finalised.
“Now, I have developed a bond with the elephant, Ganesh and I really like shooting for the show,” says Ananya, who wants to become a pilot when she grows up. She is
sticking to one daily show and concentrating on her studies.

Bhavya Gandhi

Bhavya Gandhi  (Growing with the character)

Age : 17

Claim to fame and current show: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chasmah

As a 10-year-old, Bhavya Gandhi was really nervous during his first shot for the pilot of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chasmah that would go on to become one of the most watched sitcoms of the country. He had given up hope when producer Asit Kumar Modi called him and encouraged him by saying that he believed in his talent. Now, Tappu – the character that he has been playing in Taarak ... since last seven years, is inseparable from Bhavya. “Tappu is Bhavya and Bhavya is Tappu,” says the young actor, who has grown with the character. “I am as daring, helping, respectful and fun-loving as Tappu is.”
Bhavya says that the show is his life and he can’t imagine parting ways with it. The Class 12 student of Mithibai College, Bhavya, now wants to get into direction. “I have already started directing short films,” says the actor, who believes that his existence as Tappu is there only because of the audience and thus he always keeps a reality check on his attitude.

Shivansh Kotia

Shivansh Kotia (Everything for appreciation) 

Age : Nine

Claim to fame: English Vinglish, Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha

Current show: Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai on Star Plus

Like Ananya, Shivansh too started very young. He was just five when he was picked up by Sphere Origins for a daring scene in Balika Vadhu. “He had to be a part of the scene where he is thrown from the rooftop,” says Bindu Kotia, his mom, who is delighted with the recognition her son has got, especially by playing Laksh in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai on Star Plus.
Shivansh is overwhelmed with the attention he gets from his friends. “My classmates and schoolmates hang around me to know the stories from the sets,” says Shivansh, who likes the attention but not always.
You have to pay the cost of being popular and these kids have realised it at a young age, remarks Bindu, who narrates a recent story when the family was visiting the adventure part, Imagica. “People recoginsed him and came to get pictures clicked with him, which left him irritated. He asked me why can’t he enjoy the trip?” recalls Bindu.
As parents, they try to make sure that the glamour world doesn’t take on them and lead them to develop a wrong attitude. “We haven’t told him that he earns money, he only knows that it’s for appreciation.”