'I Was Devastated': Suhana Khan Opens Up About the School Play Rejection That Fueled Her Acting Dream

It’s kind of wild to think about, but even someone like Suhana Khan—who literally grew up in the shadow of the biggest star in the world—has had those "crying alone in my room" moments. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar India (published just today, Jan 15), she got really honest about a rejection that basically changed her whole outlook on acting.

(Photo Credit: suhanakhan2/Instagram) Suhana Khan Opens Up About the School Play Rejection That Fueled Her Acting Dream

Here is the full story behind that moment:

The "Chorus" Heartbreak

Back when she was at Ardingly College (that's her boarding school in the UK), Suhana wasn't even 100% sure she wanted to be an actress. She actually said she felt a bit awkward on stage and was even "pushed" toward it a little.

But everything changed during one specific audition for a school play:

The Dream: She desperately wanted a main role and put her heart into the audition.

The Reality: When the cast list went up, her name wasn't under the lead. She had been relegated to the chorus.

The Reaction: Suhana admitted she was "so upset and disappointed" that she went back to her room and cried alone.

Why It Was a Turning Point

The funny thing is (well, not funny for her then, but you know what I mean), that rejection was actually the "lightbulb" moment. She realized that the reason she was so devastated was because she actually cared.

She said, "I think that’s when I knew that I really wanted to play those parts and enjoy the thrill of being on stage." It turned a casual interest into a real passion. It’s kinda relatable, right? Sometimes you don't know how much you want something until someone tells you that you can't have it.

Life After "The Archies"

After that school drama (literally), she went to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts to get proper training. Even though her debut in The Archies got some mixed reviews and some pretty harsh trolling online, she seems to be sticking to her guns.

She also mentioned how she balances things now:

Her Dad (SRK): Gives her "layered, philosophical" advice (probably very deep and poetic, lol).

Her Mom (Gauri): Is the total opposite—very blunt and practical.

The Goal: Suhana says she now focuses on "curiosity, purpose, and passion" rather than just looking good or what people say on Twitter... I mean X.

She's currently filming King with her dad, where she’s playing some kind of protégé to a "dark assassin." Definitely a big jump from the school chorus!