Hindi Diwas 2025 is a perfect time to reflect on the role of language in Bollywood. Hindi is central to the industry, but for many Gen-Z actors, speaking it fluently on screen has been a real challenge. Some grew up abroad, while others spoke regional languages at home.
This made delivering dialogues naturally a learning curve early in their careers. Over time, these young stars have openly shared their struggles and the steps they took to improve, showing dedication and perseverance.
Hindi Diwas 2025: Gen Z Actors Who Struggled With Hindi
Janhvi Kapoor
Janhvi Kapoor is one of the most talked-about examples. She had little formal training in Hindi as a child and admitted to feeling nervous when she made her debut. To prepare for Dhadak, she took diction lessons and focused on improving her delivery. Over the years, Janhvi has shown noticeable growth in her Hindi, with her performances gaining appreciation from both audiences and critics.
Sara Ali Khan
Sara Ali Khan also struggled with Hindi in the beginning. She credited her role in Kedarnath for helping her gain confidence and improve her diction. Sara has stated, “Preparing for the film helped me a great deal.” She shared that guidance from co-stars and the supportive environment on set boosted her skills.
Ananya Panday
Ananya Panday approached the challenge as a skill to be learned. She trained with dialogue coaches and practised extensively to sound natural on screen. Interviews show that she treated Hindi not as a barrier. Though she has been trolled a lot for her acting, she has improved over time.
Alaya F
Alaya F has been candid about her initial language gaps. She once revealed, “I couldn’t speak Hindi or dance to save my life” when auditioning. Through repeated rehearsals and coaching, she mastered the rhythm and nuances of Hindi dialogue.
Suhana Khan
Suhana Khan (along with other star kids raised partly abroad) also needed time to find comfort with Hindi. During the filming of The Archies, directors and language coaches guided her through pronunciation and dialogue delivery. While her early performances sparked discussion about diction, she took the feedback positively. Now, she is set to make her big screen debut with his father and superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s King.
Language challenges are common for actors in the industry. Techniques like dialogue coaching, rehearsal, listening to native speakers, on-set support, and occasional dubbing have helped these stars refine their skills.
However, language sensitivity remains important. Audiences today expect authenticity, and debates around accents (such as criticism of Janhvi Kapoor’s Malayalam diction in Param Sundari trailer) show how careful productions must be with regional languages.
