10 Bollywood stars who played sports professionally

One often wonders about the past lives of several individuals who seem to be in the news every other day. India being Bollywood crazy has at times ignored that many stars could be talented in other fields apart from acting. One such field that is notable and common to all is a sport. We take a look at a few actors who have continued playing a sport they have grown up learning and excelling at.

Rahul Bose

Rahul Bose has represented India in rugby

Being quite eccentric otherwise, Rahul Bose has represented India in rugby and was part of the National team for over a decade. The sport that not many people have heard of in India is one that has been played since the early 20th century after being introduced by the British. He also took part in the Asian Union Rugby Championships for over 8 years before finally retiring in 2008. He has taken up coaching Rugby in several districts around India with the view of spreading awareness of the sport.

Neetu Chandra

Neetu Chandra has represented India at the World Taekwondo Championship in 1997.

Neetu Chandra is a 5-time state-level Gold winner and has represented India at the World Taekwondo Championship in 1997. Apart from this she has represented Bihar in Baseball, Softball, Netball, and Korfball and has been awarded the Bihar Sarkar Khel Samman award in 1997. Being a woman of many talents, it has not gone to waste in any way, and she continues to promote youth and sports development through philanthropic work.

Saqib Saleem

Saqib Saleem has represented Jammu and Kashmir as well as Delhi in the district and state-level cricket

This actor also played alongside Virat Kohli during his early days. He has represented Jammu and Kashmir as well as Delhi in the district and state-level cricket before moving on to modeling and subsequently acting in Bollywood. One might wonder where cricket would have taken him had he continued in his pursuit of sports glory. However, he has continued playing with phenomenal performances in the Celebrity Cricket League and with certain acting roles about sport in Bollywood.

Randeep Hooda

Randeep Hooda has won several medals in polo over time

Amongst the glitz and the glam of the acting world, this man finds time to be with the several horses he owns as well as manage a polo team by the name of Royal Roosters. His love and passion for such a sport stems from early childhood and has grown ever since despite being caught up with acting. Randeep Hooda has also won several medals in polo over time. He wishes to create more opportunities amongst people through his experience in the often considered ‘expensive game’.

Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone is a national level badminton player

Her surname is the biggest hint yet about the sport she plays. For those sports lovers who may still be wondering, it is none other than Badminton. Coached and introduced to the sport by her champion father, Prakash Padukone, Deepika herself is a national level player who made great strides in the game before eventually turning to modelling. As is the case with several actors, she too came close to representing India in a sport that runs through her blood.

Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan had captained and represented his school in cricket and hockey

Chak De India and Kolkata Knight Riders bring one person to mind. The ‘King’ was himself an ardent sports player during his days in St Columbas, New Delhi. Having captained and represented his school in cricket and hockey, the passion for both these games brought him to the forefront of both cinema and sports league franchises. He is also the owner of Trinbago Knight Riders (West Indies) and Cape Town Knight Riders (South Africa) and has not lost touch with the world of sport.

Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor has done an immense amount of social work through football

He might not have played for India, but his passion for the game is on display during frequently held celebrity charity matches. He is the co-owner of Mumbai City FC and has time and again reiterated the need to create awareness of the Beautiful Game. He took part in a documentary that stressed the upliftment of girls playing football in Jharkhand and has done an immense amount of social work through football.

Aamir Khan

Amir Khan is a state-level tennis player

Contrary to popular belief, wrestling (Dangal) is one sport that Aamir Khan did not touch when he was a child rather, it was Tennis. Having been a state-level player during his childhood, Aamir Kahn captained his school and was part of the state team on several occasions until acting took him away on a different path. He like all other actors continues to ply his trade and has even played in exhibition matches alongside Roger Federer.

Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar is a black belt in taekwondo

His fitness levels did not take off after he entered the film industry, rather they have been an integral part of his life for a long time. The reason for this was a black belt in taekwondo that was a result of his dedication, devotion, and perfection of the art of this martial art. Akshay Kumar has often played the role of a ‘hero’ in films with his scenes involving an immense amount of action and fighting. It only seems fair that such an individual be made to play roles that showcase his prowess and fitness that is a result of marital art perfection.

John Abraham

John Abraham has represented India-A in football

‘Dhan Dhanadhan Goal’ was all the rage when it came out. It could have easily been another unrealistic sporting movie made by Bollywood. While that is true to an extent, John Abraham seemed like a natural fit in the crowd. He has represented India-A in football with his preferred role being that of a center-forward. Being the captain of his school and college teams, he is also a co-owner of North East United Fc and has lent his hand to several charity events in India as part of sports promotion.

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