Child Actors Making Waves
They may be youngest faces on screen, but a new gen of child actors is commanding attention, carrying emotional scenes and often stealing the spotlight from seasoned stars, writes
Sai Prithviraj—Baththa
Vijay Sethupathi nailing a lead role is hardly a surprise. But. in Balaji Tharaneetharan’s newly released Tamil comedy-drama Baththa, however, child actor Sai Prithviraj has emerged as the unexpected scene-stealer!
Playing Sabari, Sai anchors a crucial stretch of the film when his character accidentally locks a feared 1980s Madras don, played by Sethupathi, inside a school restroom. His wide-eyed innocence and understated expressions have won praise for complementing Sethupathi’s trademark naturalism without ever feeling forced.
The performance has even caught the attention of director Shankar Shanmugham, who publicly said Sai deserves a National Award. Despite making his debut, Sai spent 60 days on set and broke down during the emotional climax alongside Sethupathi.
Ashwanth Ashokkumar — Super Deluxe
Ashwanth delivered one of the most memorable child performances in Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Super Deluxe. As the son of Shilpa, played by Vijay Sethupathi, his innocent acceptance of his sharp comic timing made him a standout.
Baby Kiara — Hi Nanna
As Mahi, a six-year-old girl living with cystic fibrosis, Baby Kiara became the emotional heart of Hi Nanna. Her natural charm, emotional maturity and chemistry with earned widespread appreciation.
Baby Nakshatra — Irumudi
Playing Trinath’s daughter, Baby Nakshatra has emerged as a breakout performer. The 12-year-old from Kannur was discovered by the director through her Instagram Reels and cast despite initially not knowing Telugu. She went on to dub her own lines and became the emotional anchor of the rural crime thriller.
Allu Arha — Shaakuntalam
Making her much-anticipated debut as Prince Bharata in Shaakuntalam, Allu Arjun’s daughter Allu Arha attracted attention with her diction, confidence and screen presence in the mythological drama.
Arundev — Chinna Katha Kaadu
Kaadu Arundev’s portrayal of a school boy struggling with mathematics in Chinna Katha Kaadu won praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. His performance earned him the Best Child Artist award at the 72nd National Film Awards.
Sachana Namidass — Maharaja
Sachana Namidass played Vijay Sethupathi’s daughter in Maharaja, delivering an intense performance in a demanding role. Her work became central to the film’s emotional impact and earned her a Best Supporting Actress honour at the National Film Awards.
Ssara Palekar — Don’t Trouble The Trouble
Ssara Palekar leaves a lasting impression as Divya, a young girl searching for her lost parents who possesses mysterious, genie-like abilities. Her innocence, spontaneity and emotional depth have drawn praise from critics and co-star Fahadh Faasil, who called her his favourite co-star and praised her preparation and patience on set.
Kiran — Rao Bahadur
Child actor Kiran became a talking point in Rao Bahadur, delivering a show-stealing performance and carrying key portions of the film with an unusually mature screen presence.
Ronit Kamra — Jersey
In Jersey, Ronit Kamra played Nani’s son, with their father-son relationship driving much of the story. His innocent longing for a cricket jersey and emotional exchanges with Nani gave the film some of its most affecting moments.