Bollywood actors are like demi-gods in India. They have millions of fans and many people in India consider Bollywood like religion. Here, I have made a list of the top ten Bollywood actors. They are all acting now. I have mainly focused on their popularity. All of them are the leading actors of Bollywood at this moment.
1)Shahrukh Khan
This Delhi born boy of Pathan origin has ruled Indian cinema after Amitabh Bachchan. Also known as “King Khan,” Shahrukh started his career as a TV serial actor. His first movie, Deewana was released in1992. In this movie, he played the character of an obsessive lover. This movie with the then most popular actress of Hindi cinema Divya Bharti was a great success. In his next few films Baazigar, Darr, he stuck to the same type of character and these movies were very successful as well. In 1995, Shahrukh appeared in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, a movie produced by Yash Chopra. The movie created a huge wave around India. Then movies like: Dil to Pagal Hai , Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Veer-Zaara, Main hoon na made Shahrukh one of the most successful actors of Bollywood.
2)Hrithik Roshan
This third generation actor from the “Roshan” family is said to be the most promising actor at present in Bollywood. His father Rakesh Roshan was an actor and director. Hrithik’s uncle, Rajesh Roshan, is a music director. As a film family, Hrithik did not have to struggle much to get into films. He started his acting career in 2000. He is among those lucky few actors who tasted success with their debut film. Kaho naa Pyar Hai was the biggest hit of 2000. For his performance in this movie, he achieved Filmfare Best Debut Award and Filmfare Best Actor award in 2000. His next two movies, Mission Kashmir and Fiza were not that successful. Upto 2003, Hrithik’s movies did not do very well. Yaadein, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum, Mujhse Dosti Karoge! did not do very well in box office. After two years, he again got success with Koi Mil Gaya. However, 2006 is the luckiest year for Hrithik. His latest release Dhoom:2 has done great business.
3)John Abraham
He is the heartthrob of hundreds of Indian women. This “Typical Mumbaiya Chokra” turned Bollywood actor was born to a Tamil father and Persi mother. From his school, John was engaged in sports. He was the captain of his football team. He was also a good athlete. After finishing his MMS from Mumbai Educational Trust, Abraham took the job of a media planner. His luck changed after he won the Gladrags Manhunt Contest. Through winning this competition, he started his modeling career. His first campaign was Cinthol. He was also the first Asian model of Levis Jeans. In 2003, he got a call from Mahesh Bhatt, the famous film director. His daughter, Pooja Bhatt, was going to make a movie and John was chosen to play the lead male character. This is how, John got the chance to work in movie and Jism came out in 2003. The movie was successful and John came to the attention of the audience. Till now, John does not have many successful movies under his name but his acting skills, added with his looks and physical fitness have turned him into one of the top actors at present in Bollywood.
4)Ajay Devgan
In 1991, Phool aur Kaante was released. The lead character was done by a new comer. The fight scenes and the stunt used in this romantic action movie were very uncommon for a Hindi movie. As a result, the movie was a great success and every body turned their attention to this new comer; Ajay Devgan. For his performance in Phool aur Kaante, Ajay received Filmfare best Debut award. For next couple of years, Ajay mainly did action films. In 1998, his career started to take a different turn. Zakham a movie on religious conflicts in India established Ajay as a versatile actor. In this movie, he played the role of a singer who is caught in the political tension. For his performance in this movie, Ajay received Film Fare Best Actor Award. Ajay also tried his luck in romantic films and he was successful as well. Ishq and Pyar to Hona Hi Tha did great business in the box office. With his brilliant performance, determination, and hard work, Ajay, the once rough and tough action hero, turned himself into a versatile actor of Bollywood.
5)Arjun Rampal
No matter how good looking or great you are, how good you are as an actor, without one thing you are totally useless; that is LUCK. It is luck that turned Rajni Kanth, a bus conductor into South Indian superstar; a clerk in a shipping firm into one of the greatest actors of Hindi cinema, Amitabh Bachchan; and a cute looking boy, Arjun Rampal, into supermodel, who later turned into actor. Yes, Arjun Rampal was discovered by famous Indian designer Rohit Bal in a discotheque. As a model he was very successful and became very popular among girls. His debut movie Moksha was released in 2001. That same year, he did Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat but this movie came out before Moksha. In Deewaanapan, his performance established him as an actor. Alag, Don (The Chase Begins Again), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Darna Zaroori Hai, Humko Tumse Pyar Hai, Ek Ajnabee, Yakeen, Elaan, Vaada, Asambhav, Tehzeeb, Dil Ka Rishta,
Dil Hai Tumhaara, Aankhen are some of major movies of Arjun. Till now, he does not have much hit movies under his name but he has great potential and a long career ahead of him.
6)Govinda
Born in Virar, Maharashtra, Govind Arun Ahuja, is popularly known as Govinda. Coming from a middle class family, Govinda joined film in the late 1980’s. His first movie, Ilzaam, was released in 1986. Govinda in the beginning focused more on his dancing skills and established himself as a dancing actor. His first success came in 1988. The movie Hatya, directed by his brother Kirti Kumar, was a big success and Govinda came to lime light. Govinda then worked with David Dhawan. This pair did many successful films: Raja Babu, Coolie No. 1, Saajan Chale Sasural, Hero No. 1, Deewana Mastana, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Haseena Maan Jaayegi. In 2000, he did a negative role in the movie Shikari with Karisma Kapoor and Tabboo but that movie was not very successful. Till now, Govinda has done over 120 Hindi movies. In 2004, Govinda joined politics.
7)Salman Khan
He is known as “Bollywood’s Bad Boy.” Salman Khan is a figure who loved by lots of people and equally hated by lot. Several times he made it to the headlines of newspapers for getting into trouble. Still, he is one of the most good looking and talented actors of Bollywood. It is he who started the trend of fitness among actors. Born to Salim Khan, a famous screen writer, Salman got his first movie in 1988 Biwi Ho To Aisi. In that movie, he played a supporting role. His big break came in 1989. Maine Pyar Kiya, produced by Rajshri Productions was one of the highest grossing Hindi films. It was Salman’s first movie as a lead character. For his performance in Maine Pyar Kiya, he received Film Fare Best Debut Award. In 1994, again he did Hum Apke Hai Kaun with Rajshri Productions and this movie was a block buster. Hum Apke Hai Kaun is one of the all time highest grossing films in Bollywood. Some of his major hit films are: Saajan, Sanam Bewafa, Karan Arjun, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kiya, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
8)Amir Khan
The 90’s Bollywood is the history of the three Khans: Shahrukh, Salman and Amir. Like Abhishek, Ajay, Salman, Amir was born to a film family. He appeared in movie as a child artiste in Yaadon Ki Baraat in 1973. Then at the age of 23, he appeared in his first movie Qayamat se Qayamat Tak. The film was directed by his uncle, Nasir Hussain. The film was a big hit and turned Amir into a major heart throb. Since then, he did not have to look back. Movies like Dil, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Andaz Apna Apna, Rangeela, Raja Hindustani, Ishq, Ghulam, Sarfarosh turned Amir into a top actor of Bollywood. As a producer, his first film Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, was the highest grossing film of 2001. The movie was even got nomination for Oscar’s best Foreign Language film.
9)Sanjay Dutt
Since they share the same fate, Salman and Sanjay are very good friends. Son of legendary film actor Sunil Dutt and Nargis, Sanjay Dutt had it all but misfortune always hunted him down. If Salman is the “Bad Boy of Bollywood” Sanjay Dutt is the “Original Bad Boy of Bollywood.” However, for some unknown reason, he always got great love and support from people. Sanjay Dutt started his film career in 1981. His debut film Rocky was a hit but it did not help him that much. Later, movies like Vidhaata, Naam, Kabzaa, Hathyar, Sadak and Saajan established Sanjay as a star. However, his most successful movie is Khalnayak by Subhash Ghai.
10)Emraan Hashmi
Image Link: Emraan Hashmi
People call him Emraan KissMe!! Or Serial Kisser!!! How people change his name it does not matter, Emraan has already proved himself as an able actor. His debut film Footpath was released in 2003. The movie did not do well in box office. After Footpath, he did Murder in 2004. In this movie, he appeared in many kissing scene with his costar, Mallika Sherawat. The movie was successful and turned Hashmi and Mallika into Bollywood stars. Although Hashmi did lots of kissing but that does not mean that he lacked acting skills. In movies like: Dil Diya Hai, The Killer, Gangster, Aksar, Jawani Diwani: A Youthful Joyride, Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets, Kalyug, Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Zeher, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Murder Emraan proved his acting talent.
