Ahsaas Channa has given us some of her most iconic performances in recent years, with her appearance in several web series and television shows. The actress has earned the admiration of her fans and critics. However, what holds a special place in the hearts of Bollywood enthusiasts is her role as a child artist. Ahsaas was seen as a child artist in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Vaastu Shastra, Aryan, My Friend Ganesha and Phoonk, among others.
Ahsaas Channa had wowed the audience with her role in her debut film, Vaastu Shastra. The actress played the role of Sushmita Sen and JD Chakravarthi's son. However, the fan following and love came at a cost. She was being typecast, resulting in her being offered roles that were predominantly boy characters and included the superhit film, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Things changed for Ahsaas after director, Ram Gopal Varma’s supernatural thriller, Phoonk. It was after this film that she could break out of her 'boy character' stereotype.
Recently, Ahsaas recalled those times during her chat with Bollywood Bubble and shared how she was being asked to maintain the appearance of a boy. She added that she was even forbidden from growing her hair out. She explained that playing the role of a male character in her debut film, Vaastu Shastra was circumstantial, not a deliberate decision. She was quoted as saying:
"Since I was four years old, they convinced my mother to let me play a boy. My mom agreed, thinking, 'She’s just four, what’s the harm?' After Vaastu Shastra, the film became a hit, and word spread in the industry about a new child actor who was good. With child actors, it’s tricky — the child also needs to have the right personality. After that, I did follow-ups, like Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, which was such a big film. But the industry didn’t let my hair grow back, which could have affected me psychologically as a young child."
Ahsaas Channa, in the same conversation, revealed that despite having to play male characters, she never struggled with her identity. She shared that she always knew that she was a girl. She added that she went to school and the sets as a girl and was told that acting was just a part of her job. She stated:
"However, I was always aware of who I was — I knew I was a girl. My mother constantly reminded me, so it didn’t mess with my identity. I went to school and worked on sets as a girl. I was always told that this was acting and just a part of my job. Somehow, it never messed with my head. While it’s possible that it could affect someone, it didn’t happen to me."
Ahsaas Channa shared that her mother played a vital role in making sure she didn't lose her sense of self. She revealed that her mother closely monitored her and made sure to protect her sense of self. She also added that her mother didn't want her to play boy roles. However, they chose to accept them because they were good opportunities and helped them progress in her careers. She stated:
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"Of course, my mother was the one who actually wanted it to stop, I think, from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna onwards, or even much before that. I think KANK was the last film she wanted it to end with, but again, because things were going so well, and who wouldn’t want this kind of opportunity? Touch wood, we were getting really, really good opportunities. If you get a chance to do a Karan Johar film with Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta, you can’t say no."
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