Achievements
From being a cover-page model to acting in films, this 8-year-old has aced it all!
Child actor, Chhayank Anand’s mother, Mahima Anand spills the beans about her son’s upcoming movie, role of his school, and life as a young performer
Share this story:
Published
1 year agoon

At a tender age, Chhayank Anand, a class 3 student at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, is the face of several e-commerce platforms. Be it brands like FirstCry, Myntra, Ajio, Reliance or Baby Couture, just to name a few, the bright and cheerful face of Anand is unmissable. What more? The child actor is soon to appear in the Hindi-language movie, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani in 2023 alongside Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Sweeping his way through the industry with his charming demeanour and contagious smile, in his first ramp walk itself at the Junior Fashion Week in Delhi, Anand left the audience in awe. In an exclusive interview, Chhayank Anand’s mother Mahima Anand, Director at Ultimate Infotech Private Limited and he talked about how his career and education are going hand-in-hand, all thanks to his school. Edited excerpts:
How and when did Chhayank begin his professional journey?
Chhayank: I was four years old at that time!

Ms. Mahima: He started with Junior Fashion Week in Delhi. When he was four, I enrolled him for it. He walked for the first season for the brand, US Polo and the response from the audience was spectacular! He then walked again for two more seasons for Flying Machine and Hugo Boss. Shortly after, he started getting calls from other different brands and gradually he became a face that everyone wanted on their e-portals.
How did he get inspired to act?
Ms. Mahima: Well, I myself was interested in the profession before my marriage. I modelled for about six months but then I stopped and acting was never part of my vision. However, it all came back to me in the form of Chhayank. He was interested in the profession at an early age, and with his hard work, he got an opportunity to work with big brands. He has travelled intensively from Jaipur, Kashmir, Shimla and the city of dreams, Mumbai for several shoots and I am lucky to share that his modelling pictures have been published and re-published even by International platforms. From there, his first brush with acting began as he also recently starred in a TV serial, Chhoti Sardarni that airs on Colors TV.
Apart from acting, what are your interests and hobbies?
Chhayank: I like to make YouTube videos for my channel named ‘Chhayank Anand’. I also like to cook.
How has Chhayank been able to manage acting and academics?
Ms. Mahima: He got his first role during the pandemic when classes had gone fully online. Since that time, the school has been using Moodle for classwork and homework. I must say that the teachers at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park have always encouraged my son. Whenever he missed his classes due to acting schedules, he could go through the videos of that class. For the extra-curricular activities, teachers always found a way to include him. As a mother, it is huge for me because despite missing classes, Chhayank never missed out on learning. I believe that, ‘one extra clap makes one believe a little more in themselves’, and I am very thankful to his school because they have always appreciated and encouraged his talent. I would like to add that Chhayank carries long-hair because it is part of his persona as a model, and the school has kindly allowed for that because they understand that it is an industry requirement. My association with the school is 18 years long because Chhayank’s elder sister studied there as well. Putting your second child in the same school after 10 years is proof that you are mighty impressed with the school. Due to the immense support and cooperation displayed by the Apeejay management, his acting career is going smoothly.
How was the experience on the sets?
Chhayank: They are very big! I like it there.
Ms. Mahima: Well, as a child actor, he is much pampered on the sets. It is more like a family environment. I feel very proud when someone says, ‘that’s Chhayank’s mother!’ I have always felt warmly welcomed because of him.
Is it difficult for a child actor to manage with the ups and downs of the profession?
Ms. Mahima: I feel that if one has the passion, then anything becomes attainable. All aspiring actors audition every other day and they are not sure if they would get the desired part or not. I have already prepared Chhayank to take opportunities as they come. He has learnt big things at a very early age, and I hope they stay with him throughout his life. He has a long way to go, and everybody cannot be Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan, but hard work has to perpetually go on. A saying that I keep repeating with him is: ‘Phal humesha jhuke hue pedh ko hi lagte hain’ (Only the trees which can bend, bear fruit). I am proud that he understands the value of the opportunities he has received thus far.
Share this story:
Related Stories
Mrini Devnani is a Senior Correspondent and Marketing Coordinator at Newsroom. She covers student achievements, interviews and contributions for the website. She was a former Correspondent covering Edutech for the India Today Group, and has passion for Social Media and Digital Marketing. You can reach her at [email protected]

Poetic गुफ्तगू – With हुमेरा खान @poetsofDelhi

A fun-filled Annual Sports Day for the tiny tots

CBSE class 12 Accountancy Board exam paper analysis: It was easy to moderate; long answer questions were on the expected lines

Rise in COVID-19 cases: Here’s how to protect your child

Coverage of Apeejay School, Tanda Road in Dainik Savera

Appreciate the youngsters! Make them believe!

This Apeejay Noida topper didn’t let Covid, father’s death, keep him down

On YouTube, content is king, says Sanvi Narula, a 13-year-old YouTuber

Delhi girl reveals deep, dark secrets of wildlife photography

Number of hours isn’t important, staying focused is, recommends Apeejay Noida class 10 topper

VIDEO: Alumni Outreach: Sudha Mahajan, General Manager and Partner, Microsoft

A good journalist should do investigative stories and hold power to account, says Nidhi Razdan

Apeejay students pledge to soar higher on their graduation day

IB school in Delhi conducts programme to promote water conservation

School students participate in zip lining, climbing and other activities at adventure camp

Apeejay’s IB school showcases ‘Cultural Cosmos’
Trending
-
Achievements2 years ago
This Apeejay Noida topper didn’t let Covid, father’s death, keep him down
-
Interviews2 years ago
On YouTube, content is king, says Sanvi Narula, a 13-year-old YouTuber
-
Alumni Speak2 years ago
Delhi girl reveals deep, dark secrets of wildlife photography
-
Achievements2 years ago
Number of hours isn’t important, staying focused is, recommends Apeejay Noida class 10 topper
-
News Pick2 years ago
VIDEO: Alumni Outreach: Sudha Mahajan, General Manager and Partner, Microsoft
-
Achievements2 years ago
Apeejay, Saket students rise and shine in class 12 Boards
-
Achievements2 years ago
Apeejay Pitampura toppers soar high in class 12 CBSE exams
-
Achievements2 years ago
Time management, social media ban, mental toughness: success mantras from toppers at Apeejay School, Kharghar