Taare Zameen Par’s Sachet Leaves Acting Behind, Becomes Gold Medalist Dentist in the UK

Sachet Engineer, best known for playing Yohaan Awasthi in Aamir Khan’s acclaimed 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, has built a successful career far from the film industry. The former child actor is now a qualified dentist based in the United Kingdom and has also begun pursuing his interest in aviation.Engineer played the elder brother of Ishaan Awasthi, portrayed by Darsheel Safary, in the award-winning drama. While Safary continued working in the entertainment industry, Engineer chose a different path after the film’s success, focusing on academics rather than acting.Academic success mirrors his on-screen characterIn Taare Zameen Par, Yohaan Awasthi was depicted as an academically gifted student who excelled in school and sports. Engineer’s real-life journey has reflected a similar commitment to education.After completing his dental studies at DY Patil University, he earned a gold medal in Periodontology. He later moved to the UK, where he completed an M.Clin.Dent in Periodontology from the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London.Engineer is also a registered member of the European Federation of Periodontology and has cleared both parts of the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE), enabling him to practise dentistry in the UK.A growing passion for aviationDentistry is not his only pursuit. Engineer has also shared his enthusiasm for flying aircraft.In 2024, he posted a photograph from an aircraft cockpit and reflected on the experience, writing: “Being in control up here makes the fiercest challenges down below shrink to insignificance. A true reminder that the horizon is endless, and so are possibilities. My first flight, but certainly not the last.”The post offered a glimpse into his efforts to explore aviation alongside his professional career in dentistry.An unexpected entry into filmsEngineer has previously said that acting was never part of a long-term plan. In a 2022 interview with Bollywood Hungama, he revealed that he landed Taare Zameen Par almost by accident.

“I am from a film family. My grandmother, Krishna Kumari Seth, was an actress while my grandfather, Suraj Prakash, was a producer. So I was always surrounded by the world of films, though I didn’t plan to get into the field. The makers were originally auditioning my younger brother. I just happened to be there and they asked me, ‘Why don’t you also audition?’ I did, and a month later, I got a call. I was 11 at that time,” he said.

The film made him instantly recognisable and brought several acting offers. Engineer, however, chose to prioritise his studies.

“People started recognising me on the streets. I would just smile. I’ve grown quite a bit, but still people are able to guess. Or they feel they’ve seen me somewhere. I did a couple of commercials later on. I got a few film offers but didn’t take them up because I wanted to pursue my education before I got sidetracked,” he said.

A lasting connection to Taare Zameen ParReleased in 2007 and directed by Aamir Khan, Taare Zameen Par became one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated films. The story follows Ishaan, a young boy struggling with dyslexia, whose life changes after a compassionate teacher recognises his learning disability and helps him unlock his potential.While Engineer once expressed interest in returning to acting after completing his education, no comeback has been announced. His journey from child actor to award-winning dentist and aspiring pilot has instead become one of the film’s most remarkable real-life stories.