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Rejection is often described as part of the journey to success, but experiencing it can feel deeply personal and isolating, especially at a young age. Moments of disappointment tend to arrive when ambition is still forming, making setbacks feel less like feedback and more like emotional jolts. For many, it is not success but rejection that reveals what they truly care about.

In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar India, Suhana Khan reflected on one such moment from her school years that quietly reshaped her understanding of her own aspirations. When rejection reveals genuine ambition While studying at Ardingly College, Suhana auditioned for a school play hoping to be cast in a prominent role. Instead, she was assigned to the chorus. Recalling the experience, she said she felt “so upset and disappointed” and later cried alone in her room, surprised by how deeply the rejection affected her.

Mumbai Oct 9 (IANS) Bollywood actress Shanaya Kapoor recently took to her social media account to pen a heartfelt birthday wish for Gauri Khan, sharing a throwback picture from their younger days.

At the time, acting was not an unquestioned passion for her. Despite growing up as the daughter of Shah Rukh Khan, she admitted that cinema sometimes felt like a path she was being pushed toward rather than one she had fully chosen. The emotional intensity of the rejection, however, became a moment of clarity. It helped her recognise that the desire to perform came from within, not from legacy or expectation. She later described her motivation as being driven by curiosity, purpose, and passion. Being tested without the protection of privilege The setting of this experience played a significant role in how it unfolded. Educational institutions in the UK and the US typically operate without reference to a student’s family background. Auditions and selections are largely process-driven, leaving little room for informal shielding based on surname or status.

This contrasts with many familiar Indian environments, where children from film families grow up in spaces acutely aware of lineage. While this does not guarantee success, it can soften early setbacks. Abroad, the absence of such cushioning can make rejection feel sharper and more personal. Following this turning point, Suhana pursued formal training at Tisch School of the Arts, grounding her career choice in structured learning.

Her experience reflects a broader reality: when privilege offers no insulation, rejection often becomes a defining moment, shaping clarity, resilience, and long-term commitment rather than derailing ambition.