From MBBS to movies: Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela and other south actresses chose cinema over medicine

Several actresses from the South Indian film industry are not just known for their screen presence and performances. Many of them also come from strong academic backgrounds and once dreamed of careers in medicine before finding success in cinema.

From MBBS graduates to qualified dentists, these actresses balanced demanding studies before stepping into the entertainment world.

Actress Aditi Shankar, daughter of celebrated filmmaker S. Shankar, completed her MBBS degree at Ramachandra University before entering Tamil cinema.

She made her acting debut opposite Karthi in 'Viruman' and later appeared with Sivakarthikeyan in 'Maaveeran'. Within a short span, Aditi managed to create a strong presence among younger audiences.

Despite choosing films as her profession, Aditi has continued sharing moments connected to her medical background. In 2023, she posted pictures wearing surgical attire, including a face mask and surgical cap, hinting at her continued attachment to medicine. She simply captioned the post, “Dr A.”

Actress Sreeleela became one of the most talked-about young stars after successfully managing both films and medical studies simultaneously.

Earlier this year, she officially completed her MBBS degree after years of balancing academics alongside acting commitments. Pictures from her convocation ceremony quickly went viral online.

Even while working on multiple film projects, Sreeleela reportedly continued attending study sessions and preparing for examinations.

Speaking about managing both careers, she earlier told Bollywood Bubble, “You need willpower and patience. You also need to be able to switch your mind on and off between things. There were days when I felt like I was going crazy, but I still enjoyed doing both. I love being a doctor, I really like the subject, and I mostly spend my time studying it.”

'Ramayana' actor Sai Pallavi completed her medical studies at Tbilisi State Medical University in 2016.

Born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Sai Pallavi pursued her medical education in Georgia after completing her schooling in India. Though she qualified as a doctor, the actress eventually decided to continue her journey in cinema instead of practising medicine professionally, as reported by DPIFF website.

Over the years, Sai Pallavi has earned immense popularity for her performances and natural screen presence. Her performance in 'Premam', as Malar teacher, gained her much recognition and later she stepped into several other industries, proving her talent.

Actress and model Meenakshi Chaudhary also comes from a medical background. Before entering films, she completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree at National Dental College and Hospital in Dera Bassi, Punjab.

Apart from her acting career in Telugu and Tamil cinema, Meenakshi is also known for her sporting achievements. Orthopedic surgeon Dr Mir Jawad Zar Khan had earlier praised the actress after meeting her during an awards event.

In his social media post, he wrote, “Had the pleasure of meeting Meenakshi Chaudhary — a talented and well-known Telugu film actress, a qualified dental doctor, and a skilled badminton player — at the prestigious Suman TV Doctors Awards, where I had the honor of serving as the Honorary Advisor for the awards.”

He further added, “It was truly inspiring to interact with someone who gracefully blends intellect, athleticism, and artistic talent. During our conversation, I requested her support in promoting a positive image of doctors through cinema and sharing this sentiment with her peers in the industry.”

Malayalam actress Aishwarya Lekshmi completed her MBBS studies at Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences in Ernakulam before shifting her focus to modelling and films as reported by India.com website.

She also completed her internship at the same institution. During her college years, Aishwarya began modelling assignments and later entered cinema with the Malayalam film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela in 2017.

The actress eventually became a prominent face in Malayalam and Tamil cinema through several successful films. However, Aishwarya has often spoken about her deep emotional connection to medicine. Even after establishing herself in the entertainment industry, she has continued describing herself as a doctor at heart in several interviews.