Jitendra Kumar, Aniruddh Agarwal, Amol Parashar to Vipul Goyal: Actors who swapped engineering degrees for stardom

Many Indian actors have carved a unique path from engineering classrooms to the world of cinema, proving that academic excellence and creative brilliance can go hand in hand. Several of these performers hail from prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs), where they built strong technical foundations before choosing the unpredictable world of entertainment. They captivate audiences today with their screen presence, versatility, and sharp comic timing, yet what often remains lesser known is their impressive academic background.

Jitendra Kumar, popularly known as Jeetu Bhaiya, rose to fame with shows like ‘Panchayat’ and ‘Kota Factory’. Before stepping into acting, he pursued civil engineering at IIT Kharagpur. In an interaction with BW Education, Kumar shared that his academic journey didn’t go exactly as planned, as he couldn’t secure his preferred branch due to rank limitations. This led him to explore theatre during college, where he discovered his passion for acting. A turning point came when he met Biswapati Sarkar at IIT, who later introduced him to The Viral Fever (TVF). This connection opened doors to digital content, ultimately shaping his acting career.

Aniruddh Agarwal became a familiar face in the horror genre with films like ‘Purana Mandir’ and ‘Bandh Darwaza’, along with appearances on ‘Zee Horror Show’. Behind his eerie on-screen persona lies a solid academic background. Agarwal completed his civil engineering degree from IIT Roorkee, proving that even those trained in technical fields can make a mark in creative industries.

Amol Parashar took a more conventional route initially, completing mechanical engineering from IIT Delhi and securing a job at ZS Associates. However, the corporate world didn’t resonate with him for long. Driven by passion, he shifted to acting and went on to feature in films like ‘Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year’ and ‘Sardar Udham’. His journey highlights the leap of faith required to pursue creative ambitions.

Vipul Goyal blends analytical thinking with humour. After earning a degree in electrical engineering from IIT Bombay, he briefly worked as a retail analyst before venturing into comedy. In an interview with The Hindu, he described his transition as a calculated risk, backed by the safety net of his academic qualifications. Today, he is known for his clean comedy, often drawing from everyday life and cultural references.

Naveen Polishetty, known for films like ‘Jathi Ratnalu’ and ‘Miss Shetty Mr. Polishetty’, completed his civil engineering from NIT Bhopal. After working in England as an engineer, he returned to India to chase his acting dreams, despite initial resistance from his family. He struggled initially, taking up part-time jobs while pursuing theatre and auditions, before eventually finding success in films.

Kartikeya Gummakonda pursued his B.Tech from NIT Warangal, though his passion always leaned towards performance and dance. Despite facing multiple rejections early in his career, he persevered and eventually found success with ‘RX 100’. His journey is a testament to resilience and determination.

Preity Mukhundhan represents the new wave of actors balancing academics and cinema. She completed her engineering degree from NIT Tiruchirappalli. She made her film debut with ‘Om Bheem Bush’ and later appeared in ‘Star’, marking her entry into the industry with promising roles.

Vishak Nair, a graduate of NIT Karnataka, developed a strong interest in theatre during his college years. He co-founded a theatre group that performed for charitable causes. He gained recognition with ‘Aanandam’, where his portrayal of Kuppi resonated with audiences and established his presence in Malayalam cinema.

Sreejith Ravi, who holds a mechanical engineering degree from NIT Surathkal, has built a steady career in Malayalam and Tamil films. Starting with ‘Mayookham’, he went on to appear in films like ‘Chanthupottu’, ‘Naalu Pennungal’, and ‘Mission 90 Days’, showcasing his versatility as an actor.