Military Brats

The former Miss World is the daughter of Army biologist, Krishnaraj Rai. Her brother serves as an engineer in the Merchant Navy. However, unlike her father and brother, Rai chose to pursue a career in modelling and went on the win the coveted Miss World pageant in 1994 followed by a successful career in Bollywood. Since her early days, the blue eyed beauty has had India and later the world bewitched by her glamour. Be it her sartorial choices, cinematic achievements, social and humanitarian work or global star status, Rai has truly made India proud of her. 

Akshay Kumar

The Khiladi of Bollywood is the son of military officer, Hari Om Bhatia. It would not be incorrect to credit Kumar's former military background to his disciplined lifestyle, survival instincts and power packed action stunts. Today Kumar is one of the most successful actors of our country, be it his impeccable comic timings that has had the country in stitches or his daring stunts that has earned him the sobriquet 'Indian Jackie Chan'. Kumar has time and again wowed us all with his outstanding contributions to Bollywood. 


A proud military brat and now an acclaimed actress is the vivacious Anushka Sharma, the daughter of Ajay Kumar Sharma who served as a Colonel in the Indian Army. Her brother too went on to join the Merchant Navy. Sharma has many a times been vocal about her military background and the significant affect it has had on her upbringing and subsequently her personality. Having spent much of her childhood in cantonment schools, she went on to pursue modelling and eventually bagged the role opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 2007's blockbuster Rab Ne Banadi Jodi. Sharma, today, is one the finest actress of our time. 

Arjun Rampal

Flaunting a rather prestigious military background is Arjun Rampal. Grandson of an army official, Rampal's maternal grandfather, Brigadier Gurdayal Singh, designed the first artillery gun for the Indian army post-independence. Having started his career in 2001 with Pyar Ishq aur Mohabaat, Rampal has since then established himself has a successful actor, model, host and producer. In his decade and half spanning career, Rampal has given us many memorable performances and won many awards and critical acclaim for his work.

Lara Dutta 

The dusky beauty queen is the daughter of Wing Commander L.K. Dutta (retired) and has an elder sister serving in the Air Force. She was the last delegate to bag the Miss Universe crown for India. Prior to that she had won Miss Intercontinental (1997) and Miss India (2000) before going on to cement her place as the beauty queen during Miss Universe 2000 contest. Dutta began her Bollywood career in 2001 and after a successful run is now happily settled with Indian Tennis star Mahesh Bhupatia. 

Priyanka Chopra 

Currently at the pinnacle of success and continuing to rise higher is the scintillating Priyanka Chopra, a proud daughter of Army doctors Ashok Chopra and Madhu Chopra. Chopra, unlike her parents, did not join the forces but went on to contest the Miss World title after having won several other beauty pageants. The crown bought her the needed recognition to kick start her career. After numerous award winning performances in Bollywood films, Chopra went on to establish her singing career in Hollywood. Since then, she has become a global sensation with her much appreciated television series Quantico. With exciting new Hollywood and Bollywood projects in her kitty and a glorious career, Chopra has earned herself an international fan following. 

We love our military brats who like their families have made India extremely proud of them. We pay homage to their families for their contributions to the Indian forces and to them for their commendable contributions to Indian cinema. Let us know who your favourite military brat and we'll be sure to read. 

Writer: Juju K. 
Editors: Pooja B. and Jenifer A.
Graphicer: Titli P.