Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par made him famous at 11. Today, he is a gold medal-winning dentist and aspiring pilot in the UK. Why did Sachet Engineer leave Bollywood?

Nearly 19 years ago, a young actor won over audiences with his portrayal of the perfect elder brother in Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par. While many expected him to build a long career in Bollywood, he chose a completely different path. Today, the former child star - Yohaan Awasthi aka Sachet Engineer is making a name for himself in the medical field in the UK and is also working towards another ambitious goal, becoming a pilot.

The child actor who played Yohaan Awasthi

Sachet Engineer became a familiar face after portraying Yohaan Nandkishore Awasthi in Taare Zameen Par. In the film, Yohaan was everything that his younger brother Ishaan struggled to be. He excelled in studies, performed well in sports and was always protective of his sibling.

Interestingly, the qualities that made Yohaan stand out on screen seem to have shown in Sachet's real life as well.


While many child actors used their early success to build long careers in the entertainment industry, Sachet chose a different route. After receiving recognition from the film, he gradually stepped away from acting and focused on his education.

From Bollywood to dentistry

Today, Sachet is a qualified dental professional based in the United Kingdom.

According to details available on his LinkedIn profile, as reported by Indian Express, he completed his M.Clin.Dent in Periodontology from the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London, one of the leading institutions in the field. He is also a registered member of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).

His academic journey did not stop there. Sachet successfully cleared both parts of the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE), which allows overseas-trained dentists to practise professionally in the UK.

Before moving abroad, he completed his education at DY Patil University in India. He also earned a gold medal in Periodontology, adding another significant achievement to his academic record. For fans who remember him as the academically gifted Yohaan, his real-life accomplishments feel like a continuation of the character he once played.

A new dream takes flight

Dentistry is not the only field that interests Sachet. He has also developed a passion for aviation and is currently working towards becoming a pilot.

In 2024, he shared a photograph from the cockpit of an aircraft on Instagram, giving followers a glimpse into his latest ambition. In the post, he talked about how flying changes one's perspective and makes everyday challenges appear smaller. He also described the experience as a reminder that opportunities are limitless and suggested that it was only the beginning of his aviation journey.

Acting was never part of the plan

What many people may not know is that Sachet comes from a family with strong ties to the film industry. His grandmother, Krishna Kumari Seth, was an actress, while his grandfather, Suraj Prakash, was a film producer.

Despite growing up around cinema, acting was never his primary goal.

Speaking to Bollywood Hungama in 2022, Sachet revealed that landing Taare Zameen Par happened almost by accident. He recalled that the filmmakers were initially auditioning his younger brother. Since he happened to be present at the audition, the team encouraged him to try out as well. A month later, he received a call informing him that he had been selected for the role. He was only 11 years old at the time.

So what made him leave Bollywood? The success of Taare Zameen Par made Sachet instantly recognisable. According to him, people would often recognise him in public even years after the film's release.

He revealed in the same interview that, "I did a couple of commercials later on. I got a few film offers but didn’t take them up because I wanted to pursue my education before I got sidetracked."

Although he stepped away from the spotlight, Sachet never completely ruled out acting. He told Bollywood Hungama that he would be open to returning to the industry after completing his education. Its been four years and there's no announcement regarding his acting career. But, fans still looking forward to see him on screen. Stay tuned!