Famous Indian Film & Theater Personalities

The Winner of Miss World 2000; a successful actress in Hindi films; the owner of production house that promotes regional Indian cinema and the first Indian actor to play the lead character in an American television show – Priyanka Chopra’s list of achievements is long. The popular star is also a singer, a tech investor and the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

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. 

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.

In 2010, Sunny Leone was named among 12 top porn stars by Maxim magazine. After a flourishing career in the porn industry, Sunny Leone settled in India where she is currently popular as a film actress. Her journey from a porn actress to a successful Bollywood personality is viewed as an inspirational story by many young women across the world. 

Deepika Padukone is one of the highest-paid Indian actresses. She is also known for her off-screen work, which involves supporting charitable organizations. She founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which aims at creating awareness on mental health. In 2018, she was named in Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the world.

Satyajit Ray was an Indian film director, music composer, and writer. Considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Ray became the first Indian to be honored with an Academy Honorary Award in 1992. Apart from Indian filmmakers, international directors like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola, Wes Anderson, and Christopher Nolan have been influenced by Satyajit Ray. 

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.

Sridevi was an Indian film actress who appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam language films. Considered one of the most popular actresses of all time, Sridevi was dubbed the First Female Superstar in India. With several prestigious awards under her belt, she was also regarded as one of the finest actresses of her generation.

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.

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.

Indian actress and producer, Anushka Sharma is one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in the country. She was featured by Forbes Asia in their 30 Under 30 list of 2018 and is the recipient of numerous awards. Beginning her career as a model, she soon ventured into acting and made a name for herself within a short while.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of the most popular and also amongst the highest paid Bollywood actresses, Kareena Kapoor is best known for her roles in movies like Chameli, Omkara, 3 Idiots and Jab We Met. Born into a film family, the beautiful, accomplished and award winning actress always aspired to enter the film industry and eventually made her debut at the age of 19 with the movie Refugee.

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.

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.

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai is one of the most popular and influential celebrities in the country. She began her career as a model and was crowned the Miss World 1994. She started acting soon after and became one of India’s top actresses. Besides acting, she is a Goodwill Ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS).

Anushka Shetty is an Indian film actress and model renowned for her work in the Tamil and Telugu film industries. Known as the Lady Superstar of the Cinema of South India, Shetty is often counted among the highest-paid actresses. Apart from featuring in many successful films, Anushka Shetty has also received several awards, including Nandi Awards and Filmfare Awards South.

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.

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.

S. S. Rajamouli is an Indian film director best known for his work in the Telugu film industry. Rajamouli is credited with directing one of the most successful and popular Indian films of all time, Baahubali. In 2016, S. S. Rajamouli was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri Award for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Nora Fatehi is a popular figure in the Indian film industry. Although born and raised in Canada. Nora has worked in Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi language films. She was part of one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever - Baahubali: The Beginning. Apart from appearing in films, she has also made a mark in the TV industry.

Katrina Kaif is one of the top actresses of the Hindi film industry. Namastey London, New York, Raajneeti, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Ek Tha Tiger, Dhoom 3, Bang Bang and Bharat are some of her hit films. Her career has seen highs and lows and many times she has been criticised for her acting.

Talent knows no geographical boundaries and Sri Lankan actress and model, Jacqueline Fernandez, showed it with her success in Bollywood and the numerous awards she won. Raised in a multi-ethnic family, she is known for glamour and found a place in Forbes’ India list of 100 celebrities. Fernandez is also noted for her concern for animals as acknowledged by PETA.

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.

Tabu is an Indian actress best known for her work in the Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu film industries. One of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, Tabu is renowned for playing unconventional roles. In 2011, she was honored with the Padma Shri by the Indian Government. She has also received other prestigious awards, such as National Film Awards.

Disha Patani is an Indian actress best known for her work in the Hindi film industry. Patani is renowned for her performance in the 2017 biographical sports drama film M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, which narrates the story of former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Patani's portrayal of Priyanka in the film earned her many awards including Stardust Awards.

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.

Indian actress Rakul Preet Singh started her career as a model and then graduated to films. She made her debut in a Telugu film in 2011 and then did a Tamil film in 2012. In 2014 she starred in a Hindi film Yaariyan. Venkatadri Express, Current Theega, Dhruva, Spyder and De De Pyaar De are some of her notable films.

Kriti Sanon is an Indian actress best known for her work in Bollywood. Apart from being an actress, Sanon also endorses several brands and has launched her own clothing line as well. Over the years, Kriti Sanon has won many awards, such as the International Indian Film Academy Awards and Filmfare Award.