Before cameras and red carpets became part of their lives, many stars pursued careers as doctors and dentists.
On National Doctors’ Day, celebrated every year on July 1, here’s a look at celebrities who prove that a white coat and the spotlight can go hand in hand.
Female celebrities with a medical background
Manushi Chhillar
Long before becoming Miss World 2017 and entering Bollywood, Manushi Chhillar was studying MBBS at Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College in Haryana. Her pageant victory changed the course of her career, but her medical education remains an inspiring chapter of her journey.
Dhanashree Verma
Popular choreographer and content creator Dhanashree Verma is also a qualified dentist. She completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) before building a successful career in dance and digital entertainment, earning the title of “Dr. Dhanashree Verma.”
Meenakshi Chaudhary
Before making a name for herself in Telugu and Tamil cinema, Meenakshi Chaudhary completed her BDS degree. She later entered the world of pageantry, won Miss Grand India 2018, and eventually transitioned into films.
Shivani Rajashekar
Actress Shivani Rajashekar didn’t let her academics fall by the wayside while pursuing a career in cinema. She completed her MBBS before stepping into the Telugu film industry, making her one of the few young actresses with a medical degree.
Sai Pallavi
Sai Pallavi’s journey is one of the most talked-about in the industry. She earned her MBBS degree from Tbilisi State Medical University in Georgia before becoming one of South India’s most admired actresses. Though she chose acting over medicine, her academic achievement continues to impress fans.
Sreeleela
Balancing film shoots with medical studies isn’t easy, but Sreeleela managed both. The actress completed her MBBS while simultaneously building a successful career in Telugu and Kannada cinema, proving that determination can make anything possible.
Janki Bodiwala
Before finding success in Gujarati cinema and gaining nationwide recognition with Shaitaan, Janki Bodiwala pursued dentistry and completed her BDS degree, showcasing a completely different side of her journey.
Aditi Govitrikar
Actor, model, and former Mrs. World Aditi Govitrikar is a qualified doctor with an MBBS degree and postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She remains one of India’s most recognized doctor-turned-celebrities.
Aditi Shankar
Tamil actress Aditi Shankar followed in her father’s footsteps academically by completing her MBBS. Despite qualifying as a doctor, she chose to explore her passion for acting and has quickly carved a place for herself in the film industry.
Male celebrities who studied medicine before fame
Male celebrities with a medical background
Meiyang Chang
Singer, actor, and television host Meiyang Chang holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree. He first trained as a dentist before Indian Idol opened the doors to the entertainment world.
Palash Sen
Known as the voice behind the iconic band Euphoria, Palash Sen is also a qualified doctor. He completed his MBBS before music took center stage in his life and continues to embrace both identities proudly.
Ashish Gokhale
Television actor Ashish Gokhale earned his MBBS degree before choosing acting as a profession. His journey reflects how passion can often lead people down an entirely different path.
Mohan Agashe
Veteran actor Mohan Agashe is not only celebrated for his remarkable performances but is also a respected psychiatrist. Throughout his career, he has successfully balanced his contributions to medicine, theatre, and cinema.
Umar Riaz
Before becoming a familiar television personality, Umar Riaz worked as a doctor after completing his MBBS. His medical background remains an integral part of his identity even after finding fame on reality television.
Amol Kolhe
Actor and politician Amol Kolhe completed his MBBS before making a mark in Marathi cinema and television. Widely appreciated for his portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on screen, he later entered public service as a Member of Parliament.
These celebrities may have chosen different career paths, but their medical education reflects years of discipline, commitment, and hard work.
This National Doctors’ Day, their stories remind us that success doesn’t always follow a single route—sometimes, the journey begins in a classroom
before leading to the bright lights of the entertainment world.
