18 Celebrities Who Went to Boarding School
Education
14-16
Did you know that some of the biggest stars spent their formative years at prestigious boarding schools? Take Ali Fazal for example, better known as Guddu Bhaiyya from Mirzapur. He learned his acting skills at The Doon School in Dehradun, a boarding school where his passion for theatre took root. This early exposure to drama played a key role in shaping his career.
And he’s not alone—boarding schools have been instrumental in molding the personalities of several popular personalities.
Curious to find out which other famous people went to boarding schools? Keep reading to find out!
13 Famous Indian Personalities Who Went to Boarding School
Boarding schools in India have been instrumental in nurturing some of the country’s brightest and most successful personalities. From Bollywood superstars to Olympic athletes and political leaders, these institutions have provided a foundation of discipline, resilience, and creativity.
Ratan Tata
The visionary behind the Tata Group, Ratan Tata, attended the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla. It was here that his leadership and entrepreneurial spirit were nurtured, eventually guiding him to build one of India’s largest and most respected business conglomerates.
Amitabh Bachchan
Big B, the legend himself, spent his early years at Sherwood College in Nainital. Known for its strong academic and extracurricular focus, Sherwood was instrumental in shaping his unmatched work ethic and towering personality.
Salman Khan
The Bhaijaan of Bollywood, Salman Khan, attended The Scindia School in Gwalior for some years. Known for its emphasis on character building and discipline, Scinida played a crucial role in molding the superstar’s larger-than-life persona, which he carries on and off-screen.
Abhinav Bindra
India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra was formerly a student of The Doon School. His stay at Doon instilled in him the focus, discipline, and resilience needed to excel in sports.
Saif Ali Khan
A royal both on-screen and off, Saif attended The Lawrence School, Sanawar. Here, the future Nawab of Pataudi learned leadership and creativity that he later brought to his versatile acting career.
Kareena Kapoor Khan
Before becoming Bollywood’s Bebo, Kareena spent her early school years at Welham Girls’ School in Dehradun. Known for shaping confident and bright personalities, Welham surely helped the Jab We Met star to step into the limelight with ease.
Sanjay Dutt
The tough guy we all know from Munnabhai MBBS spent his school years at The Lawrence School, Sanawar. It's said that the discipline and resilience he learned there helped him face the challenges of life and his career.
Amitav Ghosh
This popular Jnanpith, Padma Shri, and Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer attended The Doon School in Dehradun. Doon sparked the author’s love for literature and encouraged his intellectual development.
Rajiv Gandhi
Before becoming India’s youngest Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi studied at The Doon School. His time at the prestigious boarding school built his leadership qualities, preparing him for his eventual role in shaping India’s future.
Vivek Oberoi
Before being popular for movies such as Saathiya and Shootout at Lokhandwala, Vivek Oberoi was a student at Mayo College in Ajmer. Mayo’s dedication to fostering leadership and discipline helped him develop into the versatile actor we know today.
Jubin Nautiyal
Famous for his soulful voice in songs like Raataan Lambiyan and Lut Gaye, Jubin attended Welham Boys’ School in Dehradun. It was here that he formally studied music, thus deepening his understanding of music and laying the foundation for his career in classical music.
Karan Thapar
Currently working with The Wire, this renowned journalist and TV anchor studied at The Doon School. Known for shaping some of India’s brightest minds, Doon helped Karan hone his intellectual curiosity, which he later channeled into his successful career in journalism.
Priyanka Gandhi
Known for her political poise and charisma, this Indian politician attended Welham Girls’ School in Dehradun before being moved to Delhi following Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984. The formative years at Welham played a significant role in shaping her public image and leadership qualities.
5 Global Personalities That Went to Boarding School
Why stay confined to just Indian celebrities when some of the most popular global icons are also boarding school alumni? From tech moguls to celebrated actors, the impact of a boarding school education is evident in the lives of the following global icons.
Mark Zuckerberg
Known mostly as the founder of Facebook, this popular American businessman attended the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, US. It was here that Zuckerberg developed his technological base, which later helped him get into the prestigious Harvard University.
Benedict Cumberbatch
The Sherlock and Doctor Strange actor attended Harrow School, one of the oldest and most prestigious boarding schools in England. Harrow’s focus on drama and arts helped Benedict develop his impressive acting skills, preparing him for his roles in Hollywood and theatre.
Emilia Clarke
Did you know Game of Thrones’ much-loved Dragon Queen is also a boarding school alumna? Clarke attended two boarding schools while growing up, St Edward’s School and Rye St Anthony School, both of which were instrumental in shaping her as a disciplined actor.
Steve Carell
The hilarious Michael Scott from The Office attended Middlesex School, a boarding school in Massachusetts. Carell’s time at Middlesex helped him explore his love for acting and comedy, leading him to become one of the most beloved comic actors of today’s time.
Steve Nash
Two-time NBA MVP and one of the greatest point guards in basketball history, Steve Nash attended St. Michael’s University School, a top Canadian boarding school. His experience there built his strong work ethic and competitive spirit, which later translated into a Hall of Fame basketball career.
Conclusion
These icons prove that boarding schools can be the perfect stepping stone to success, no matter the field you are in. From excelling in their careers to becoming global icons, these stars are the perfect example to show that boarding school opens doors to personal growth and lifelong achievements.
So, why not give your child the same foundation? Admissions are now open in several boarding schools across India—take the leap and secure a world of opportunities for your child!
Explore Best Boarding Schools in India
Have questions? We’re here to help you, get all your queries answered by our expert counsellors today!
Sources
