Famous Indian Actors

Referred to as King of Bollywood and King Khan in the media, Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan is considered one of the most successful film stars of the Hindi film indusrty. Beginning his career as a TV actor, he struggled for many years before making it big as a Hindi film star. 

Considered one of India’s most influential and best actors of all time, Aamir Khan is known for his interesting choice of films, which are well-crafted, entertaining and commercially successful. They mostly have a social message and are appreciated both by critics and the people. Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots, PK and Dangal are some of his acclaimed films.

Hrithik Roshan is one of the most popular and highest-paid Indian actors. Also known for his dancing skills, Hrithik has established himself as a style icon and sex symbol over the years. One of the most bankable Indian stars, he started his career with romantic films, eventually finding success as an action hero. 

Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, Rajinikanth had humble beginnings and had even worked as a coolie and a bus conductor in his younger days. Starting his career with minor plays, he had phenomenal success in Tamil movies and grew up to be one of India’s greatest superstars, earning the nickname Thalaiva.

Salman Khan is an Indian film actor, producer, and television personality. Best known for his contribution to the Hindi film industry, Salman Khan is regarded as one of the most bankable and highest-paid actors in India. He is also known for his off-screen controversies and legal troubles; in 2018 he was sentenced to five years in prison for killing a blackbuck.

Akshay Kumar is one of the most popular and successful actors of Hindi cinema. He has been honored with several prestigious awards, such as Filmfare Awards, a National Film Award, and Padma Shri. Dubbed Indian Jackie Chan, Akshay Kumar is renowned for performing dangerous stunts in films.

Sanjay Dutt is an Indian film actor who appears in Hindi movies. One of the most popular actors in India, Dutt is also known for his off-screen controversies; he was arrested in 1993 for possessing illegal weapons. His life and career inspired the 2018 biographical film Sanju where he was played by Ranbir Kapoor.

Vijay is an Indian film actor, playback singer, and philanthropist. He is best known for his contribution to the Tamil film industry. With a significant fan following worldwide, Vijay is one of the most popular and highest-paid actors in south India. Also known for his philanthropic efforts, Vijay is credited with founding a social welfare organization named Vijay People Organization.

Mahesh Babu is one of the most popular and highest-paid South Indian film actors. He is also one of the most celebrated, decorated, and bankable actors of the Telugu film industry. A well-known philanthropist, Mahesh Babu donates 30 percent of his annual income to charity organizations. In 2013, he became the goodwill ambassador of a non-profit organization called Heal-a-child Foundation.

Prabhas is an Indian film actor best known for his contribution to the Telugu film industry. He achieved national recognition when he played the title role in the second highest-grossing Indian film, Baahubali. He is also one of the highest-paid Indian actors and has been featured in the Celebrity 100 list by Forbes India on multiple occasions.

An iconic figure of Indian cinema, actor Dilip Kumar has delivered hits like Madhumati, Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Ram Aur Shyam and Kohinoor in his six decades career. His brilliant portrayal of tragic roles had earned him the nickname of The Tragedy King. The veteran actor has been the recipient of prestigious honours like Filmfare Awards, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Allu Arjun is an Indian actor best known for his work in the Telugu film industry. A recipient of three Nandi Awards and five Filmfare Awards South, Arjun is one of the most bankable actors in south India. He is also one of the highest-paid actors and has been included in the Celebrity 100 list by Forbes India since 2014.

Born to legendary screenwriter and poet Javed Akhtar and actor and screenwriter Honey Irani, Farhan Akhtar was destined to be part of the film industry. His debut directorial venture Dil Chahta Hai won him a National Award, following which he delivered stunning performances in films such as Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

Vijay Devarakonda is an Indian actor best known for his work in the Telugu film industry. He achieved national recognition for his performance in the 2017 film Arjun Reddy, which was remade in Tamil and Hindi languages. Also known for his humanitarian efforts, Devarakonda founded a non-profit organization called The Deverakonda Foundation in 2019.

Dharmendra is considered to be one of the most successful, popular and handsome actors in the history of Indian film industry. Though he is known for his action roles, he has done a wide range of Hindi films. Sholay, Bandini, Anupma, Phool Aur Paththar, Seeta Aur Geeta, Chupke Chupke, Satyakam and Azaad are some of his notable films.

Three-time Filmfare Award-winner Shahid Kapoor has mesmerized his audiences with his versatile performances in Hindi films such as Jab We Met, Haider, Kaminey, Udta Punjab, and Kabir Singh. Despite having actor parents, Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem, Shahid had humble beginnings as a background dancer before he entered mainstream Bollywood.

Noted for his performances in a range of film genres, Indian actor Saif Ali Khan is counted among the top actors in Bollywood. Even though he made his debut in the early 1990s, it took him many years to establish himself. His career saw a resurgence in the 2000s, and he went on to win critical praise for his work.

National Film Award- and Padma Shri-winning Indian Malyali actor Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail, or Mammootty, is a superstar in Southern India. Initially a lawyer, he later soared to fame with films such as Vidheyan and Mathilukal. He also chairs Malayalam Communications and is devoted to medical and other charitable causes.

Sidharth Malhotra is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Hindi language films. Also known for his charity work, Malhotra has collaborated with organizations, such as PETA to raise awareness about dogs. In 2013, he performed at an event to raise funds for the victims affected by a flood in Uttarakhand.

Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, director, producer, screenwriter, dancer, lyricist, playback singer, politician, and humanitarian. With 19 Filmfare Awards and four National Film Awards under his belt, Haasan is widely regarded as one of the finest Indian actors of all time. Kamal Haasan is credited with influencing a generation of actors and introducing new technologies to Indian cinema.

Nicknamed the Young Tiger and Jr. NTR, N. T. Rama Rao Jr. is the grandson of legendary Telugu actor-politian N.T. Rama Rao. A talented Kuchipudi dancer in his youth, he was a child actor, too. Now known for films such as Nannaku Prematho and Yamadonga, he also won two Filmfare Awards.

Raj Kapoor was an Indian film actor, producer, and director best remembered for his contribution to the Hindi film industry. The recipient of 11 Filmfare Awards and three National Film Awards, Raj Kapoor is regarded as one of the greatest Indian actors of all time. In 1987, he was honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest honor in cinema.

A man of many talents, Kishore Kumar was an Indian actor, filmmaker, writer, music director, lyricist, and playback singer. One of the most popular Indian singers of his generation, Kishore Kumar sang in different genres and multiple Indian languages. In 1997, the Kishore Kumar Award was initiated for his contributions to Hindi cinema. Despite marrying four times, he remained a loner.

Ajay Devgn, a two-time National Award winner, has also been honored with the Padma Shri. The son of stuntman Veeru Devgan, he began his career with the blockbuster hit Phool Aur Kaante. He later delivered stellar performances in films such as Dilwale and Zakhm, and now owns a production company.

Rishi Kapoor was an Indian actor, director, and producer best remembered for his work in Hindi cinema. One of the most popular Indian actors of his generation, Kapoor was the recipient of many prestigious awards, including a National Film Award and four Filmfare Awards. In 2008, he was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Hindi films.

Chiranjeevi is an Indian actor best known for his work in the Telugu film industry. In an illustrious career spanning more than four decades, Chiranjeevi has received many prestigious awards for his contribution to Indian cinema. In 2006, he was honored with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan. He is often considered one of the biggest stars in India.