From tech to tinsel town: 10 Indian actors who are graduates from IITs and NITs

They captivate audiences with their magnetic presence, razor-sharp comic timing, and the ability to slip effortlessly into diverse roles. Yet, what often goes unnoticed is that several of these performers built equally remarkable foundations in academics before stepping into the world of cinema and entertainment. Many among them come from India’s most prestigious engineering institutions—Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs). Their journeys reveal a compelling blend of intellect, creativity, and courage, as they traded conventional career paths for the uncertainty of showbiz.

Jitendra Kumar: From Engineering Blueprints to Storytelling Genius

Jitendra Kumar, fondly known as Jeetu Bhaiya among fans, has become a household name through acclaimed web series like Panchayat and Kota Factory. Before achieving fame, Kumar completed his civil engineering degree at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.


In a conversation with BW Education, Kumar reflected on his formative years, explaining that his academic journey did not unfold as he had initially hoped. Due to rank constraints, he was unable to pursue his preferred subject, which led to academic struggles. However, this challenge pushed him toward extracurricular pursuits, particularly theatre. It was during these college dramatics that he discovered his true calling.

Kumar credits his meeting with Biswapati Sarkar at IIT as a turning point. Sarkar, who later became a prominent writer at The Viral Fever, introduced Kumar to the budding world of digital content. This connection eventually led Kumar to join TVF, setting the stage for his successful acting career.

Aniruddh Agarwal: Engineering Mind Behind a Horror Icon

For audiences who grew up in the 1990s, Aniruddh Agarwal remains synonymous with spine-chilling horror roles.

Because of his striking and somewhat fearsome facial features—resulting from a growth near his pituitary gland—Anirudh Agarwal was often cast in Hindi cinema and television as sinister figures, supernatural beings, or antagonists. He became closely associated with the films of the Ramsay Brothers, making a strong impression as Samri in Purana Mandir, portraying the vampire Nevla in Bandh Darwaza, and reprising the character of Samri in Saamri. His work extended beyond Indian cinema as well, including a supporting negative role in The Jungle Book directed by Stephen Sommers, along with a brief appearance in Such a Long Journey.
A significant turning point in his career arrived in 1994 when Shekhar Kapur cast him as Babu Gujjar in Bandit Queen, offering him a powerful platform to display his range as a performer. He later collaborated with his friend Aamir Khan in Mela and worked alongside Akshay Kumar in Talaash: The Hunt Begins....

Behind this terrifying on-screen persona lies a strong academic background. Agarwal pursued civil engineering at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. His journey demonstrates that even individuals with rigorous technical training can venture into creative fields and leave a lasting impression.

Anmol Parashar: Choosing Passion Over Predictability

Anmol Parashar followed a path familiar to many engineering graduates before making a bold shift. After completing mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, he secured a position at ZS Associates. However, the corporate world could not hold his interest for long.

Driven by a desire to explore storytelling, Parashar left his job and stepped into acting. He gradually built a career with appearances in films like Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year and Sardar Udham. His transition reflects the courage required to abandon stability in pursuit of artistic fulfillment.

Vipul Goyal: Engineering Precision Meets Comic Timing

Vipul Goyal represents a unique blend of analytical thinking and humor. After graduating in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Goyal briefly worked as a retail analyst.

In an interview with The Hindu, he described his decision to enter comedy as a well-thought-out risk. He believed his academic credentials provided a safety net, allowing him to explore his creative aspirations without fear. Early auditions served as a testing ground, reinforcing his confidence in his abilities.

Today, Goyal is recognized as a pioneer of clean comedy in India, drawing inspiration from everyday topics such as family dynamics, social media, engineering life, and cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar.

Naveen Polishetty: From Engineering Career Abroad to Bollywood Dreams

Naveen Polishetty has emerged as a dynamic performer with films like Jathi Ratnalu and Miss Shetty Mr. Polishetty. He completed his civil engineering degree from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology.

After graduation, Polishetty moved to England to work as an engineer. However, his passion for acting remained strong. Despite facing resistance from his family, he returned to India and relocated to Mumbai. There, he took on part-time jobs to support himself while actively participating in theatre and auditions.

Polishetty began his artistic journey on stage, actively participating in theatre productions before stepping into cinema. Between 2012 and 2014, he took on supporting roles in Telugu films such as Life Is Beautiful, D for Dopidi, and 1: Nenokkadine, gradually building his presence in the industry.

Seeking broader opportunities, he later relocated to Mumbai, where he ventured into digital content creation. During this phase, he collaborated on YouTube sketches and became associated with platforms like All India Bakchod and the channel Cheers!, gaining popularity for his comic timing and relatable performances.

His breakthrough arrived in 2019 when he stepped into a lead role in Telugu cinema with Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya. Not only did he headline the film, but he also co-wrote it, showcasing his versatility. The same year, he entered Hindi cinema with Chhichhore, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, where he portrayed the character Acid. The film achieved massive global success, crossing ₹150 crore at the box office and earning him a nomination at the Zee Cine Awards for his comedic performance.

He further cemented his position as a leading actor with the 2021 comedy Jathi Ratnalu, which turned into a major commercial hit, collecting around ₹70 crore worldwide. His portrayal of Jogipet Srikanth won him the Best Actor honor at the SIIMA Awards.

Continuing his successful run, he appeared in Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty alongside Anushka Shetty, where he played a stand-up comedian. In 2026, he starred in the comedy Anaganaga Oka Raju with Meenakshi Chaudhary, a film that went on to achieve strong box office success.


His journey highlights resilience and determination, as he navigated financial struggles and uncertainty before establishing himself in the film industry.

Kartikeya Gummakonda: Dancing His Way to Stardom

Kartikeya Gummakonda, known for his work in Telugu cinema, pursued his B.Tech from National Institute of Technology Warangal. While his parents envisioned a career in civil services for him, Kartikeya was drawn toward dance and performance.

In an interview with The Times of India, he reminisced about his college days, where his passion for dance earned him popularity among peers. Despite his confidence and talent, his journey into films was not smooth. He faced multiple rejections, often due to budget limitations cited by filmmakers.

His debut film did not achieve widespread recognition, but perseverance paid off when he secured a role in RX 100, which became a major success. Kartikeya’s story is one of persistence in the face of repeated setbacks.

Jishnu Raghavan: A Promising Talent with a Strong Academic Base

Jishnu Raghavan, a well-known name in Malayalam cinema, balanced both academic and artistic excellence. He pursued mechanical engineering at the National Institute of Technology Calicut.

Jishnu gained recognition with his debut film Nammal, earning accolades including the Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor. His journey reflects how a strong educational background can coexist with a thriving acting career.

In addition to appearing in a few projects that went largely unnoticed, he stepped away from cinema for a period to focus on promoting information technology initiatives in rural regions. After this break, he returned to acting, taking on brief roles in films such as Nidra, Ordinary, Banking Hours 10 to 4, and Ustad Hotel.

His career gained momentum in 2012 when he secured an opportunity in Prabhuvinte Makkal. The following year proved more significant, as he took on leading roles in films like Annum Innum Ennum and Rebecca Uthup Kizhakkemala, further establishing his presence in the industry.

During this phase, he also explored formal training in performance by joining Barry John Acting Studio in Mumbai, refining his craft and gaining deeper insight into acting techniques.

Around the same time, he committed to several new projects, including Misfit, Siddhartha Siva, Indian Coffee House, and iPhone, collaborating with his father Raghavan and actor Vineeth. However, despite being announced, these films did not make it to theatrical release.

Preity Mukhundhan: Engineering Roots to Emerging Stardom

Preity Mukhundhan represents the new generation of actors balancing academics and cinema. She completed her B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli.

She stepped into films with the Telugu horror-comedy Om Bheem Bush and later appeared in the Tamil coming-of-age drama Star. Her journey demonstrates how technical education continues to serve as a strong foundation even for those entering creative professions.

In addition to her work in modelling and cinema, Preity has also explored appearances in music videos. In 2022, she featured in Muttu Mu2 by Teejay Arunasalam, which also included performances by Yogi B and Sivaangi Krishnakumar. Later, in 2024, she appeared in the track Aasa Kooda by Sai Abhyankkar, further expanding her presence beyond films and fashion into the music space.

Vishak Nair: Theatre Dreams Born in Engineering Classrooms

Vishak Nair, known for his work in Malayalam cinema, holds a mechanical engineering degree from National Institute of Technology Karnataka.

During his college years, Nair’s interest in acting grew significantly. Along with friends, he established a theatre group that performed plays for charitable causes. Speaking to Indian Express Live, he reflected on how his debut film Aanandam offered a collaborative learning experience, as the cast was involved in every stage of production.

His portrayal of Kuppi brought him recognition, with audiences continuing to associate him with the character even today.

Sreejith Ravi: Engineering Discipline Meets Acting Craft

Sreejith Ravi has built a steady career in Malayalam and Tamil cinema. He completed his mechanical engineering degree at National Institute of Technology Surathkal and later pursued a postgraduate diploma in business administration from ICFAI Business School, Bangalore as per his LinkedIn profile.

Beginning his acting journey in 2005 with Mayookham, he gradually gained recognition through notable roles in films like Chanthupottu and Naalu Pennungal. His portrayal in Mission 90 Days further showcased his acting range.

Sreejith’s journey reflects how academic discipline and creative passion can complement each other, enabling sustained success in a competitive industry.

A Perfect Blend of Brilliance and Bold Choices

These performers represent an uncommon blend of sharp intellect and creative expression. Their transition from prestigious institutes like IITs and NITs into the world of entertainment reflects a deeper reality: achievement is not limited to one predefined route.

By pursuing what truly excites them—often in defiance of social norms—they have challenged traditional ideas of what a successful career should look like. Their experiences stand as inspiring examples that while academic learning is valuable, it forms just one aspect of a broader journey driven by bravery, imagination, and confidence in oneself.