Indian Women 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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Indian actress Alia Bhatt made her debut at the age of six in the movie Sangharsh. More than a decade later, she appeared in Student of the Year as its leading lady. The movie was a success and since then the actor’s career has seen tremendous rise. Her performances in movies like Highway, Raazi and Gully Boy have won her both, popularity and awards.

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.

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.

Rani Mukerji is an Indian actress best known for her work in the Hindi film industry. One of the most successful actresses of her generation, Mukerji has featured in the highest-paid and most popular actresses of the 2000s lists. She has also received several awards like Filmfare Awards and Screen Awards. Rani Mukerji is also known for her humanitarian work.

Raveena Tandon is an Indian film actress, producer, and model. Although she is best known for her work in the Hindi film industry, Tandon has also played important roles in many popular South Indian films like Kamal Haasan's Aalavandhan and Upendra's eponymous film. Over the course of her career, Tandon has received several prestigious awards, including a National Film Award.

Tamannaah Bhatia is an Indian film actress best known for her work in the Tamil and Telugu film industries. Apart from being a popular actress, Tamannaah is also an important celebrity endorser for famous products and brands. Over the years, Tamannaah has won many awards like the South Scope Awards. In 2010, she was honored with the prestigious Kalaimamani Award.

Karisma Kapoor is an Indian film actress best known for her association with the Hindi film industry. Born into the famous Kapoor family, Karisma achieved popularity during the 1990s when she played important roles in successful films like Jigar. She then established herself as the leading actress of Bollywood by winning prestigious awards like National Film Award and Filmfare Awards.

Padma Lakshmi is a model, television host and author. She has hosted cooking competition program Top Chef and has published cookbooks. She has acted in films and television too and is also an activist working for immigration and women’s rights and is a critic of skin-lightening creams. She was married to novelist Salman Rushdie for a little over three years.

Yami Gautam is an Indian actress who came into prominence after being chosen as the face of the popular skin-lightening cosmetic product Fair & Lovely. Also known for her good looks, Yami Gautam frequently appears on lists, such as Times of India's Most Desirable Woman.

National Award-winning singer Shreya Ghoshal grew up in Rajasthan and later moved to Mumbai, where her electrical engineer father was posted. After gaining attention with the talent show Sa Re Ga Ma, the classically trained artist was catapulted to fame with her playback singing in Devdas, and never looked back.

Manushi Chhillar is an Indian actress and model. Chhillar achieved popularity in 2017 when she won the Miss World pageant, becoming only the sixth Indian to win the pageant. After winning the pageant, Chhillar went on to sign a three-film contract with the popular production company Yash Raj Films. She has also modeled for popular brands like Fashion Big Bazaar.