Hansal Mehta’s Favourite Male Indian Actors (Listed Alphabetically)

Aamir Khan was born on March 14, 1965 in Mumbai. He is one of the most successful Indian Bollywood actors who is also known as "Mr. Perfectionist of Bollywood". With his recent successes in both the Indian and Chinese film markets, he has shouldered his way into becoming one of the world's biggest superstars. Undergoing rapid transformations in his body structure to better embody the variegated characters in his energetic films, Aamir has garnered praise from all parts of the globe. His most visible transformations can be seen in such movies as Lagaan (2001), Fanaa (2006), Taare Zameen Par (2007), Ghajini (2008), 3 idiots (2009), Talaash (2012), Dhoom 3 (2013), PK (2014), Dangal (2016) and Secret Superstar (2017). His recent successes with movies like Dangal, PK , Talaash and TV serial Satyamev Jayate have attracted attention from more serious moviegoing crowds. However, he is perhaps better known for his fabulous comedic roles, as exemplified by his iconic performances in cult comedies such as Andaz Apna Apna, Passion, and Dil Chahta Hai, to name a few. Aamir is also no slouch at TV commercial work.

2001's Lagaan released in China nationwide, beginning what would be a series of Aamir Khan films that would firmly plant Indian filmmaking into the minds of Chinese audiences. 3 Idiots became a cult hit in China farther along in the 2000's, followed by Like Stars on Earth and Ghajini, both of which went on to gain huge followings. Aamir Khan's streak of Chinese box office hits continued into and throughout the 2010's with the rapid-fire release of Dhoom 3 (2013), PK (2014), Dangal (2016) and Secret Superstar (2017).

Aamir was first introduced as a child artist in the 1970's hit Procession of Memories (1973) - he was the youngest child in the trio.

His performance in Earth (1998) as the Ice-Candy man has received rave reviews from Indian and international critics. Using classic "method acting" and an adopted technique inspired by his seniors Sanjeev Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand and Shammi Kapoor, Aamir acts in all genres of Indian films - comedy, action, drama and romance. He is regarded as a complete Indian actor of the post 1990 generation of actors for his diverse choice of roles and films. In 2007 he turned director with the film Like Stars on Earth (2007), which not only brought him immense critical acclaim but was also a huge box office success. Many of his films are considered as cult classics like Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Rang De Basanti (2006), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) and Andaz Apna Apna (1994). He divorced his first wife Reena Dutta on December 09, 2001 and married Kiran Rao in December 28, 2005 and divorced her on July 03, 2021.

In 2008 his first all out commercial action film Ghajini (2008) went on to become the highest grossing film of its time in Indian Cinema and 4th highest inflation adjusted, grossing a total of Rs.226 on the worldwide box office and the first film to cross 100 crores on the domestic Indian box office, making a total of Rs.115 crores. This record didn't last long, though, since his next release 3 Idiots (2009) went on to shatter not only the highest grosser record but many more. It not only made the highest opening first day, first weekend and first week records but subsequently continued to shatter many records on the following weekends and weeks, making many circuits on the way. It made a total of Rs.202 crores domestically and Rs.400 crores on the worldwide box office, becoming the highest overseas grosser to date, a staggering feat given that no other film had even come close to making Rs.100 crores on the domestic box office until then, except for his own Ghajini (2008) the previous year.

Aamir is said to be the actor who first started the trend of actors working in one film at a time, when the others worked in four or five at the same time. He is also known to shun popular film trade magazine awards like Filmfare, Star Screen, etc. as he doesn't have trust in their credibility and transparency. Recently he was awarded the third highest civilian honor Padama Bhushan by the government of India.

Aamir's expansive range of characterizations remains unparalleled amongst his contemporaries. Because of this diversity and his formidable ability to portray different characters believably on screen, he is today regarded not only as one of the biggest stars in Bollywood but also as one of the finest actors in all of Indian Cinema.

Adarsh Gourav Bhagavatula was born on July 08, 1994 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand (then Bihar). He is an actor, singer and songwriter who works in Hollywood & Bollywood industry. He spent his formative years in Mumbai and graduated from Narsee Monjee with a Bachelor's degree and is also an alumnus of The Drama School in Mumbai.

Classically trained in Hindustani Music for more than 9 years, Gourav has been a frontman for 2 progressive metal bands in school and college namely Steepsky and Oak Island. Oak Island has released an EP titled Aliens Cant Jump that has been featured on the show MTV Indies - Never Hide Sounds. He has also worked with music legends such as Illayaraja and Sukhwinder Singh as a playback singer for 2 Bollywood movies; Black and White & Chal Chalein.

Gourav has been acting since he was in his teenage years and over a decade long acting career so far; has been part of more than 50 TV and Digital Ad campaigns. Amongst the notable brands that he has worked with are Airtel; Cadbury; Dominos; Hotstar and Nescafe. His first role was in Karan Johar's My Name is Khan (2010) starring Shah Rukh Khan and has subsequently acted in Anurag Kashyap's Madly; starred in critically acclaimed Rukh alongside Manoj Bajpayee and played an impactful role in Sridevi's Mom (2017).

He has crossed over into Hollywood with his latest movie project where he plays the titular character; Balram Halwai in the Netflix Global production, The White Tiger (2021) which was released in January 2021. Gourav has also been part of popular web-series such as Laila; Die Trying and Hostel Daze.

Amitabh Bachchan was born on October 11, 1942 in Allahabad, British India (present-day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India) to legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan & Teji Bachchan. He also has a brother named Ajitabh. He completed his education from Uttar Pradesh and moved to Bombay to find work as a film star, in vain though, as film-makers preferred someone with a fairer skin, and he was not quite fair enough. But they did use one of his other assets, his deep baritone voice, which was used for narration and background commentary. He was successful in being cast in Saat Hindustani. He got his break in Bollywood after a letter of introduction from the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, as he was a friend of her son, Rajiv Gandhi. This is how Bachchan made an entry in Bollywood, starting with Zanjeer, co-starred with his future wife Jaya Bhaduri, and since then there has been no looking back.

He married Jaya Bhaduri, an accomplished actress in her own right, and they had two children, Shweta and Abhishek. Shweta is married, lives a non-filmy life and has two children.

Being friends with Rajiv Gandhi, got him to decide to run for seat in the Indian National Congress (political party) from his home town but had to leave mid-term because of controversies, particularly after Rajiv and he were implicated in the now infamous "Bofors" case along with the U. K. based Hinduja Brothers.

After a four year break, he was back in the unsuccessful Mrityudaata (1997), a comeback which the actor wanted to forget. Critics written him off but his career was saved with Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998). But four flops in 1999 and incurring debt of over 90 crore rupees of his sinking company ABCL saw him at an all-time low. To make matters worse, after the defeat of the Congress party, Bachchan lost considerable political support, the opposition made him a target, and his credit rating deteriorated to such an extent that a leading nationalized bank, Canara Bank, sued him for outstanding loans. He did bounce back, presenting the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire called Kaun Banega Crorepati? (2000). After a series of hits with Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Baghban (2003) and Khakee (2004), Bachchan is showing no signs of slowing down and proving the critics wrong once again.

Amitabh and Jaya were interested in getting their son Abhishek married to Karisma Kapoor, the daughter of Babita and Randhir Kapoor, they went through a formal engagement, but later broke it off.

The former Miss World and Bollywood actress, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek, were formally engaged on Sunday January 14, 2007, at the Bachchan residence in Juhu, Bombay, with the marriage taking place at the Bachchan residence on April 20, 2007.

On November 16, 2011, he became a Dada (paternal grandfather) when Aishwarya gave birth to a daughter in a Mumbai Hospital. He is already a Nana (maternal grandfather) to Navya and Agastye - Shweta's children.

He continues to be one of the busiest actors and singers in Bollywood as well as on TV, as can be seen from the commercials that he appears on, especially on Sahara One. Looks like there are no limits for this super-star and once the "Angry Young Man" of Bollywood.

Amol Palekar is a well-known theatre personality and an acclaimed Indian actor and filmmaker who mainly works in Hindi and Marathi cinema. He has acted in about 50 films in five languages and has directed several feature films and TV shows.

Palekar was born in a lower-middle-class family. His father was employed with the General Post Office, while his mother worked in a private company.

He completed his schooling at Bal Mohan Vidya Mandir in Mumbai. After clearing his SSC exams, he studied fine arts at Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai and graduated in 1965. He had to do several "odd jobs" to sustain himself during this period.

After graduation, he worked as a clerk with the Bank of India by day and pursued his passion for painting at night. In 1967, he held his first solo painting exhibition at the Taj Art Gallery. Around this time, he ventured into theatre and started doing stage shows. An opportunity to work in the movies soon followed, and Palekar switched to acting.

Palekar made his acting debut in Bajiraocha Beta (1971), a Marathi film directed by Raja Thakur.

His first Hindi film was Rajnigandha (1974), helmed by Basu Chatterjee. The film went on to become a sleeper hit.

In 1976, he acted in Basu Chatterjee's romantic comedy Chhoti Si Baat (1976). This low-budget coming-of-age film turned out to be a box office hit.

In the same year, he acted in the romantic musical film Chitchor (1976), once again directed by Basu Chatterjee. It marked Palekar's third association with the director. With this film, Palekar scored a hat-trick of hits at the box office, which helped him to carve out a space for himself in the Hindi film industry.

In Gharaonda (1977), helmed by Bhimsain, Palekar played the role of a middle-class man looking for a house in Mumbai.

He essayed a negative role in Shyam Benegal's Bhumika (1977), starring Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Anant Nag. The film revolves around an individual's quest for identity and self-fulfilment.

In 1979, Palekar acted in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's comedy film Gol Maal (1979). The story was about a middle-class man's quest to get a job. In this movie, he essayed the roles of Ram Prasad Sharma and Lakshman Prasad Sharma (Lucky), which became a big hit. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 1980 for Gol Maal.

He played the lead role in Baton Baton Mein (1979), directed by Basu Chatterjee, which was also released in 1979. The film revolves around the protagonist's struggle to get a girlfriend or wife, and it became a commercial and critical success.

In 1986, Palekar appeared in a leading role in the thriller Khamosh (1986), directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Palekar portrayed a fictional version of himself in this movie.

He acted in the supernatural action thriller Aks (2001), helmed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Raveena Tandon, and Manoj Bajpayee. The same year, Palekar married Chitra Palekar in 1969, and the couple divorced in 2001. Later that year, he married Sandhya Gokhale in 2001.

Palekar appeared in Gulmohar (2023), directed by Rahul V. Chittella.

One of his directorial ventures Paheli (2005), starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji, was the official entry of India for the 78th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

Born to the late Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte, hails from coastal Karnataka, where he had his early education under the aegis of Anand Ashram in South Canara and Chitrapur math in North Canara. Sent to Bombay for onward education and got involved with amateur theatre activities for 8 years. Got a break in Kannada film titled "Sankalpa" in 1971 with the help from late Shri G. V. Iyer and Shri Girish Karnad, the renowned playwright.

In Bombay Satyadev Dubey guided him to Shyam Benegal for his first hindi film "Ankur" (1974). In that decade under Benegal's direction varied roles came in his way in films like "Nishant" (1975), "Bhumika" (1977), "Manthan" (1976), "Kondra (1977)" and "Kaliyug" (1981)

He has acted in films under the direction of noted film makers like M S Sathyu, Girish Karnad, Vikas Desai. Also acted in noted serials and films in Hindi based on the works of the novelist late Shri R. K. Narayan, Produced by T. S. Narasimhan under the direction of his younger brother, the late Shri Shankar Nag.

He has acted in over 175 Kannada films under various directors, veterans as well as budding debutants, not to mention some landmark films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi. He has won the Karnataka State Best Actor Award on four occasions, besides others like `Film fare Awards' etc.

An active participant in the Janatha Party Political experiment ever since the 70s, he was nominated a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council (1988-1994), was elected a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly (1994-1999) and was a minister of State, attached to the Chief Minister (1996-1999).

Currently involved with selected assignments. Noted among them being a feature film in Hindi "Yuva" directed by Mani Ratnam and yet another feature 'Man eater of Malgudi' based on late Shri R. K. Narayan's Novel now being directed by Ms Kavitha Lankesh.

Balraj Sahni, born in Rawalpindi, British India (present-day Pakistan), was an acclaimed Indian film and stage actor. Known for his powerful and impactful performances, Balraj Sahni became a prominent figure in the golden era of Indian cinema.

Balraj Sahni initially pursued a career in the civil service but eventually found his true calling in acting. He became associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), a leftist cultural organization, where he honed his skills and passion for acting. His association with IPTA marked the beginning of his journey in theater.

Balraj Sahni made his film debut in 1946 with the film "Insaaf," but he gained widespread recognition and acclaim for his role in the film "Do Bigha Zamin" (1953), directed by Bimal Roy. His portrayal of Shambhu Mahato, a poor farmer struggling to save his land, showcased his acting prowess and earned him accolades. The film won the International Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1954.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Balraj Sahni delivered memorable performances in films such as "Kabuliwala" (1961), "Waqt" (1965), and "Neel Kamal" (1968). He often played roles that reflected the socio-economic realities of the time, and his ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters set him apart as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema.

Balraj Sahni's filmography includes a diverse range of roles, from intense and dramatic characters to light-hearted and comedic ones. He collaborated with renowned filmmakers like Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, and Yash Chopra, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Apart from his acting career, Balraj Sahni was also a noted writer and penned several books, including his autobiography "Meri Filmi Aatmakatha" (My Filmy Autobiography).

Balraj Sahni's contribution to Indian cinema was not only recognized within the industry but also by the government. He received the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, in 1969. Unfortunately, Balraj Sahni's life was cut short, and he passed away on April 13, 1973, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable performances and a lasting impact on Indian cinema.

Dilip Kumar (1922-2021) is widely considered the greatest acting exponent India ever produced. Born Muhammad Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Peshawar, British India (present-day Pakistan), he is better known by his stage name Dilip Kumar given to him by actress and owner of Bombay Talkies, Devika Rani. Credited with pioneering method acting in Indian cinema in mid-1940s, before Marlon Brando introduced it to Hollywood in 1950s, he has been often called as "Abhinay Samrat" (Hindi for "Emperor of Acting") by the audience. He was the biggest Indian star since Post-Independence period throughout 1960s, starring in some of the biggest commercial and critical successes of Indian cinema. It is to be noted that according to major trade analysts, many of his big commercial successes were films with apparently no commercial/entertainment value, which relied heavily on his histrionics to succeed, an extremely rare feat in the annals of cinema worldwide. Box Office India quoted that any such an instance has never happened with any other star, as their films had to be backed by at least few commercial elements/genres to succeed. Irrfan Khan, while saying that Kumar is the only one who should be called "legend", justifiably quoted the reason as, "the combination of artiste and star that he brought, started and ended with him."

Born to a fruit merchant, Lala Ghulam Sarvar Khan and his wife Ayesha Begum, Yousuf Khan and his family would migrate to Bombay Province, to expand their family business in 1930s which had come to a halt due to the complications of WWII. He had his schooling in Deolali and graduation in Mumbai. He started with managing a shop and selling fruits in an army canteen in Pune. Upon a rebellion in the canteen during Indian National Movement, he gave a speech justifying India's struggle for Independence, which resulted in his eviction from the canteen. A chance encounter with Devika Rani, got him opportunity to work for Bombay Talkies, at remuneration of Rs 1250/- per month. Having no clear intention of working there, he still accepted the job because of the high salary. Kumar later accepted that by the age of 14, he hadn't watched a film, and later in his teenage, watched few English films. Devika Rani selected Dilip Kumar as his stage name (a common tradition back then) from the 3 names suggested by Pandit Bhagvati Charan Verma, which also included Vasudev and Jehangir. Kumar in 1970, in an interview told that, one of the main reason, he agreed to adopt a stage name was out of fear of his father, who was strictly against films due to their poor reputation among the masses at the time. He further said that on being offered to choose among the three names, he expressed that he was okay with any of them. Later, he got to know his stage name, when it was first published in a newspaper.

Kumar's first film as an actor was Jwara Bhata (1944), which was the 6th highest grossing Hindi film of the year, according to some sources, though not really profitable. His performance was severely criticized by the major critic of the time, Baburao Patel of FilmIndia. Similarly the next venture, Pratima (1945) was also flop and his work again criticized. The next venture, Milan (1946), directed by Nitin Bose, proved to be fruitful for Kumar, not only because it was successful commercially, but his acting sensibilities greatly improved during the period of its filming. However his performance was still criticized by FilmIndia. The success of the next film Jugnu (1947), which was the highest grossing Indian film of the year, established him as the first star of Post-Independence India and arguably, the biggest star of the country at that moment. His performance was appreciated by Baburao Patel for the first time. However, he severely criticized the film, writing a letter to the then Home Minister (who later went on to become Prime Minister under Janata Dal in 1977), Moraji Desai, asking him to ban the film. It was banned for a few months, after which the ban was uplifted. The film, already a roaring success, became an even bigger hit, after it was re-released. The period starting from here till at least 1961, was a period of raging success in Kumar's career, both critically and commercially, which cemented his legacy notch above his contemporaries. Post 1961, the workload slowed, with fewer releases thereafter and also slowed their commercial success, although his earlier films still doing great in re-releases, many times higher than many of his contemporaries' fresh releases. During this period, his two main contemporaries were Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. The three of them were sometimes referred collectively as "the golden trio" of this period, with camaraderie between the three contemporary actors famous and each renowned for their own style.

Shaheed (1948) is cited by many to be the first true Dilip Kumar film, in the sense his legacy was to be built on performances like this in the years to come. It was a roaring success, highest grossing Hindi film of the year. Andaz (1949), a record grosser at the time, starring Nargis and Raj Kapoor along with Kumar, popularized the theme of love triangles in Indian cinema. His performance in the film was superlatively appreciated by masses and critics alike. Baburao Patel's review headline read "Dilip Kumar draws crowd to cinemas". His dramatic performances in the next films till early 1950s, brought him the title of "Tragedy King". These intense performances, in which he immersed himself, had an adverse affect on his psyche. He consulted psychiatrists in London, who advised him to take up lighter roles. Interestingly, almost all of his lighter roles starting from Aan (1952) and Aazad (1955) were huge commercial successes. His performance in these roles were appreciated by masses and critics alike. Aan (1952) was the highest grossing Indian film ever at the time both in India and overseas. Post Aan, Kumar's popularity again took a big leap, establishing him as undisputedly the biggest star of the country. Devdas released on 30 December, 1955 is considered one of the most iconic performance of his career. Although a moderate success when initially released, the film found greater success in subsequent years though re-releases, making it amongst the most popular role essayed by Kumar. All three Andaz (1949), Aan (1952) and Naya Daur (1957) briefly became the highest grossing Indian film upto that point, a feat later achieved by Kumar's Mughal-e-Azam (1960) in which he essayed the role of Prince Saleem (amongst his most popular roles), a record it held for 15 years. By adjusting for inflation, it is still the Highest-grossing Indian film of all time, as of 2022.

The decade 1950s was the most prolific decade of Kumar's career, with 21 releases of which only 1 film, namely Hulchul (1951) failed commercially. 5 (or even 6) of his films were placed in top 10 highest grossers of the decade by Box Office India. Similarly 9 (or even 10) of his 21 releases were placed among the top 30 highest grossers of the decade. The period from late 1940s to early 1960s is often referred to as the "Golden Age of Hindi cinema and music". The 1950s decade is also important in terms of popularising cinema and filmi music in India and establishing it as a part of popular culture. The decade also saw the rise of stars (in true sense), commercialisation of industry as well as rise in the number of theatres. Kumar was the representative of this period, holding the status of a matinée idol and the country's highest paid actor.

Gunga Jumna released on 6 Jan, 1961, few months after the release of Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and Kohinoor (1960), represents the peak of Kumar's career both as an actor and star. His performance as robust and defiant Gunga is considered by many to be the greatest acting performance in the history of Indian cinema. It won him international laurels. His performance was profoundly appreciated by actors in the West. The film set the template for the "Angry Young Man" films starring Bachchan in 1970s and the theme of brothers on the opposite side of the law. After Gunga Jumna (1961), Kumar's workload slowed significantly, his next venture Leader (1964), failed to be a big commercial success. It did mediocre business. Next film Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966) is the first flop film of Kumar in over 15 years. Ram aur Shyam (1967) is the last big hit of Kumar's first innings (as an actor) in Hindi cinema. It was his first double role film and popularized "double role" and "lost and found" films in mainstream Indian cinema. 1970s saw Kumar's career as a lead actor take a downturn. Age was becoming a factor, and the onset of new stars further convinced Kumar to take a hiatus. Out of his 4 Hindi films released in 1970s, Gopi (1970) was the only clean box office hit. As per the new reports of Box Office India, Bairaag (1976), is either "Hit" or "Semi-Hit". In 1970, he acted in his only Bengali film, Sagina Mahato (which also has a Hindi version, Sagina released in 1974, starring Kumar). The film was reportedly a huge success in Bengal. He won BFJA (Bengal Film Journalist Associations) award for Best Actor for his performance in the film. In 1976, he took a five-year hiatus aligning on the above mentioned reasons.

He returned to the big screen playing the title role of Kranti (1981), the highest grossing Indian film of the decade, when adjusted for inflation. In this phase of his career, he played senior, mature roles who were the main characters of the films. Films were specifically written for him which also starred other actors playing young roles. Films like Kranti (1981), Vidhaata (1982), Karma (1986), and Saudagar (1991) were among the biggest hits of the time and all driven by him despite playing senior roles, a feat that had remained unprecedented even after him as per trade analysts. Some other films also found average success, including Shakti (1982), which starred Kumar along with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead roles. The film won him his last Filmfare Award for Best Actor. His next venture after Saudagar (1991) was the commercially unsuccessful Qila (1998), which also turned out to be his last. He retired from film industry in 1999.

Kumar had been involved in many relationships including Kamini Kaushal, with whom he fell in love on the sets of Shaheed (1948). Their relationship fell apart as Kaushal was married to her brother-in-law after her sister-in-law died in a car accident. Reportedly she married on the insistence of her family to look after the little children of her sister-in-law. His next relationship was with Madhubala, which started on the sets of Tarana (1951). It was a seven year long relationship that ended after the Naya Daur court case in which Kumar sided with the producer B.R. Chopra and testified against Madhubala's father, Ataullah Khan as he declined her to travel to the planned shooting locations at the last moment. However Kumar in his autobiography cites another reason that played an important role in the fallout; Madhubala's father insisted him to act only under his own banner after their marriage. In 1966, he married actress Saira Banu in a private ceremony. Their marriage survived for over 50 years until Kumar's death in 2021-despite undergoing an upheaval-Kumar's alleged second marriage with Asma Rehman in 1981, whom he met at a cricket match in Hyderabad, where she lived. He soon divorced her in 1983, describing this incident as a "grave mistake taken in pressure" in his autobiography.

Kumar died on 7 July 2021, due to kidney complications and other age related issues. He had no children through his marriage. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Saira Banu.

As of 2022, he holds the record for winning 8 Filmfare awards for Best Actor ( later equalled by Shah Rukh Khan) and was also the inaugural recipient of the award. He has also won numerous other awards including Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994. He is the recipient of Padma Vibhushan (in 2015) and Padma Bhushan (in 1991), India's second and third highest civilian honour respectively. He is also the only Indian recipient of Pakistan's highest civilian honour, Nishan-e-Imtiaz (in 1998). As of 2021, he holds the Guinness World record for having received the most awards by an Indian actor.

He holds several long standing box office records including giving at least 1 clean hit for 15 years straight, which is at least an Indian record, according to a trade analyst. Since independence till late 2010s, he held the record for giving the maximum number of highest grossing film of the year, 9 times which was then surpassed by Salman Khan. However as per latest Box Office India reports, highest grossing Indian film of 1991 was Kumar's Saudagar (1991) and not Salman Khan's Saajan (1991), thus perhaps re-establishing his long standing record. In regards to his films' success ratio, he is the most successful Bollywood actor (quite possibly, Indian actor) of all time, by a distance, as of 2022. These gigantic records, his overwhelming popularity across Indian subcontinent, North Africa, Eastern Europe, and beyond, especially among South Asian diaspora around the world, makes him easily among the biggest stars cinema has ever seen across the globe. He famously turned down David Lean's offer of the role which ultimately went to Omar Sharif in one of West's greatest critical and commercial success, Lawrence of Arabia (1962), which made a major Hollywood star out of Sharif. Justifying his decision, Dilip Kumar had remarked, "In your own bazaar you enjoy a certain status. What's the point of venturing out into fields unknown where you have no say? No contact with the subject matter." He was also considered for a role in another film Lean was working on, titled "Taj Mahal". Elizabeth Taylor was supposed to play the part opposite Kumar. However, the project was eventually shelved.

According to many, he is probably the first person to perform method acting on screen in mid 1940s. Despite not knowing what it meant by then, he had been practising it since a time when, perhaps, the term wasn't even coined. Kumar, who never went to any acting school, was described by the renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray as "the ultimate method actor", despite not having worked with him. There are innumerable such complements by numerous luminaries across professions to quote, which is quite not possible; from the likes of the recent statement by Indian born naturalised British economist Lord Meghnad Desai, claiming Kumar to be the greatest actor on global scale to age old statements like the one by, V. Shantaram, one of founding fathers and pioneers of Indian cinema, prompted by Kumar's versatility expressed, "Had Shakespeare met Dilip Kumar, he would have added one more character to the already well-defined ones he had created." Most importantly, Dilip Kumar's complete impact is realized definitely in the fact how he changed the rules of acting and influenced generations of future artistes in Indian subcontinent (even his contemporaries), but also in the truth that at his best, he was the catalyst in expanding the reach of quality cinema, from metros to rural India, from classes to masses, from serious connoisseurs to common entertainment seekers. Some of the greatest critical successes became some of the biggest hits when he acted in them, liked, revered and celebrated by classes and masses alike. His intense, in-depth performances, eloquent silences and the most nuanced expressions observed and enjoyed and celebrated at the same time by the most casual entertainment seekers of his time. There have been some great artistes across the history. And there have been some huge stars across the history. But the instance of both of them being a single entity, elevating and expanding the art form to an even greater point, is true, an extremely rare sight, but equally magical while it lasts.

Fahadh is the son of Malayalam film director Fazil, and his wife Rozina. He has two sisters, Ahameda and Fatima, and a brother, Farhaan Faasil. He completed his schooling from SDV Central School Alleppey, Lawrence School Ooty and Choice School Thripunithara. He went on to pursue his degree from Sanatana Dharma College Alleppey and M.A. in philosophy from the University of Miami.

Fahadh made his debut at the age of 19 in his father Fazil's Kaiyethum Doorath (2002) which turned out to be a commercial failure. After a gap of six years, Fahadh made his comeback with the anthology film Kerala Cafe (2009). His notable films include Chaappa Kurishu, Diamond Necklace, 22 Female Kottayam, Amen, Artist, Annayum Rasoolum, North 24 Kaatham, Bangalore Days, and Iyobinte Pusthakam. He won the Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor for his roles in Artist and North 24 Kaatham and Second Best Actor Award for his role in Akam.

On 20 January 2014, he got engaged to Malayalam and Tamil film actress Nazriya Nazim whom he married on 21 August 2014. The pair had gotten to know each other more on the sets of Anjali Menon's Bangalore Days (2014), in which they were playing a husband and wife. Fahadh revealed that their parents had been pivotal in arranging the marriage.

Gagandev Riar was born on 16 August 1980. He is an actor, known for Scam 2003 - The Telgi Story (2023), Sonchiriya (2019) and Dahal.

Govinda was born on December 21, 1963. Govinda has acted in over 120 films since his debut in 1986. Govinda is best-known for his comedy related roles; his powerful contribution in dancing in Bollywood is inevitable. He is one of the most successful actors and is definitely the best dancer in Bollywood. His hardworking mentality and consistent performance made him a top class actor in Bollywood. He is known to be one of the most down to earth and kind hearted actors. He has acted with all Bollywood greats which include Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit.

He had great success with family based movies such as Dariya Dil (1988), Swarg (1990) and Hum (1991). He worked with David Dhawan for the first time in the 1989 action film Taaqatwar. He then formed a successful collaboration with him and then went onto act in 18 movies directed by him most of which were comedy films. The most successful films during their collaboration included Shola Aur Shabnam(1992), Aankhen (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Jodi No. 1 (2001), Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), and Partner (2007).

Having huge success in comedy based roles, he then also tried his luck for a villainous role in the movie 'Shikari' directed by N. Chandra. His performance in the movie was critically acclaimed. After a bad phase during 2002 until 2005, he actually made the biggest ever successful comeback ever witnessed in Bollywood with a number of hits, starting with Bhagam Bhag in 2006 and a critically praised performance in Salaam E Ishq in 2007.

After his latest 2007 release is the David Dhawan directed romantic comedy Partner. The film became the second highest domestic opening week gross for an Indian film and became a blockbuster and is ranked in the top 3 movies of 2007 in India. After his successful comeback in 2006 and 2007, he has been on a signing spree and is acting in many big movies ready for 2008 and 2009 with top directors of India. Amongst other work he has come on as a guest on Indian reality shows which are based on the X factor and strictly come dancing in the UK

Born Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan, in Jaipur, Rajasthan (NW India) January 7, 1967 to a Pashto-speaking Muslim family. Khan's mother, Begum Khan, was from the Tonk Hakim family and his father, Jagirdar Khan, from the Khajuriya village near the Tonk district, ran a tire business.

The Khan family name comes from Turkish and Mongol languages and mean "king" or great leader. Descendants of Genghis Khan (13th century) in central Asia adopted Islam and became the Moghuls, who conquered India for several centuries until British rule.

Irfan was a skilled cricket player. In his early 20's he was selected for the CK Nayudu Tournament (a stepping stone to First Class cricket). He did not turn up for the tournament owing to lack of funds and as a result he focused on acting.

In 1984 he earned a scholarship to the National School of Acting in New Delhi.

He was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor for his contribution to the field of arts.

His portrayal of Paan Singh Tomar in the acclaimed biographical sports drama Paan Singh Tomar (2011) won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. His performance in the BAFTA Award nominated romance The Lunchbox (2013) earned him universal acclaim by the critics and audiences.

Globally, Khan was in The Warrior (2001), The Namesake (2006), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire (2008), New York, I Love You (2009), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Life of Pi (2012), Jurassic World (2015) and Inferno (2016). As of 2017, his films have grossed $3.643 billion at the worldwide box office. In 2018, Khan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor.

Khan got married to his wife Sutapa Sikdar, in 1995. She is a Hindu of the Brahmin caste. She is a movie producer, dialogue writer and screenwriter. Among her famous movies are Khamoshi: The Musical (Dialogue Writer, 1996), Supari (Dialogue Writer, 2003), Kahaani (Dialogue Writer, 2003), Madaari (Producer, 2016), Qarib Qarib Singlle (Producer, 2017)

They have two kids: Ayaan Khan, Babil Khan

Unlike most Indian film stars, Irrfan has been outspoken on religion. On Arnab Goswami's talk show, he took on Muslim fundamentalists, including India's Grand Imam. Irrfan Khan argued against "transactional religious interaction" and for "personal religious discovery"..."to discover yourself, to find God". Though he admits he is "not an authority" on the Koran and Islamic Holy scriptures he has bravely stood by his comments despite heavy criticism and even threats of violence. He's aware of the dangers that his frank comments pose to him and his family. His wife commented, "We are very proud of him."

Jaideep Ahlawat is an Indian actor who is known for his acting skills and captivating performances.

He attended Govt. High School in Kharakara, Haryana, for his elementary and secondary studies. After that, he graduated from Jat H.M. College in Rohtak, Haryana. On completing his undergraduate degree; he went on to get a Master of Arts in English from Maharishi Dayanand University in Rohtak, Haryana.

When he was in college, he became a member of a theatre company. He participated in a number of stage plays around the states of Punjab and Haryana. It motivated him to get his degree in acting from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 2008. His fellow alumni from FTII (Film and Television Institute of India), such as Rajkummar Rao and Sunny Hinduja, are also accomplished actors in the industry.

Once he finished his FTII degree, he moved to Mumbai, intending to start a career in acting. In 2008, he played a supporting part in a Bollywood short film named Narmeen (2009), which marked the beginning of his career in the Indian film industry.

Later on, he was cast in the film Aakrosh (2010), and in the same year, he was cast in the satirical comedy Khatta Meetha (2010). Film critics praised him for playing a shady politician in this movie. In 2011, he made brief appearances in the films Chittagong (2012) and Rockstar (2011) as Jordan's brother, playing minor roles.

The success of Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) was a pivotal moment in Ahlawat's life. Ahlawat portrayed the part of Shahid Khan in this movie. Shahid Khan was a coal mine worker who was misled by his supervisor and later slain. Ahlawat's portrayal of this role earned him widespread acclaim and helped launch his career as a respected performer in India's film industry.

He was nominated for Best Actor at the Zee Cine Awards / Star Screen Awards in 2013 for his negative portrayal in Commando (2013).

Of the numerous successful films that Ahlawat has appeared in, some of the most well-known ones are Khatta Meetha (2010), Commando (2013), Gabbar Is Back (2015), Raees (2017), Raazi (2018), Baaghi 3 (2020), and so on - these are only some of the films that stand out.

He appeared in multiple series in 2022. His performance in series like Bloody Brothers (2022) and The Broken News (2022) has been appreciated by the critics.

It was Paatal Lok (2020) that garnered him his first Filmfare for best male actor in a drama series. By portraying the lead character of Delhi Police Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary in this Amazon Prime web series; he received widespread recognition and acclaim. He played the role of a cop who handles a high-profile case - in the middle of the investigation, several things drag him to the darker side of the underworld. He admitted that directors' faith in him had grown after the success of the series. His performance has also been lauded by other prominent actors like Varun Dhawan, Rajkummar Rao, and Vicky Kaushal.

Apart from that, Bard of Blood (2019) and Lust Stories (2018) are some of the Hindi web series in which he has appeared.

Kamal Hassan is known for Trust Issues the Movie (2021) and My Story (2019).

Malayalam film actor Mammootty was born to Ismail (an agriculturist) and Fatima (a homemaker). He has two younger brothers Ibrahim and Zakariah; and three sisters, Ameena, Sauda and Shafina. He did his schooling in St.Joseph's Thevara, Maharaja's College and then studied law at Ernakulam Government Law College. It was during his days at Maharajah's that he got his first role as an extra (junior artist) in Anubhavangal Paalichakal in 1971. Along with Mohanlal, he is a top star in the Malayalam film industry of South India.

Manav made his acting debut in Hindi cinema with fantasy film 'Jajantaram Mamantaram' in 2003 , and has been lauded for his performance as a right-wing politician in the Gujarat - based Hindi drama 'Kai Po Che!' in 2013 . He was also seen in 'City Lights' in 2014 . His character in 'Tumhari Sulu' opposite Vidya Balan got people talking about the talented actor, in and outside the industry . He was also seen in 'Ghoul' on Netflix opposite Radhika Apte . Manav also had an important role in Sujoy Ghosh's 'Badla' which featured Taapsee and the megastar Amitabh Bachchan. ' He headlined ALT Balaji's 'The Verdict State v/s Nanavati' as Kawas Nanvati and was last seen in a guest appearance in Anubhav Sinha's critically acclaimed film 'Thappad' starring Taapsee.

Manav started this year with Zee5's critically acclaimed film 'Nailpolish'. His performance in the film was widely lauded with many earmarking him as a front runner for acting accolades. He followed it up with Subhash Kapoor's 'Madam Chief Minister' in which he was with Richa Chaddha. He was also seen in "Saina Nehwal Biopic' With Parineeti Chopra. His Last Netflix release "Ajeeb Dastaans" is an Anthology where he proved to be a scene - Stealer and hits the right notes with his strong performance.

His other major release this year is the Netflix Original series 'Finding Anamika' in which he will be seen opposite Madhuri Dixit.

Manoj Bajpayee is a highly acclaimed Indian film actor known for his versatile acting skills and intense performances. Despite facing financial struggles during his childhood, he pursued his passion for acting and worked hard to achieve success in the film industry. Bajpayee is the second child in a family of six siblings, with two brothers and two sisters.Bajpayee decided to become an actor after watching the 1973 film Zanjeer (1973). He began his acting career with small roles in plays and television shows. He made his acting debut in the film Droh Kaal (1994) in 1994. He also played a minor role as a dacoit in Bandit Queen (1994) the same year. Bajpayee gained recognition for his performance in the film Satya (1998) in 1998. Although considered a flop at first, this film won him critical acclaim and established him as a celebrated actor in Indian cinema. Since then, he has acted in numerous successful films and has become known for his ability to portray complex, grey, and challenging characters. He is well-known for his ability to deliver powerful performances in a variety of genres and roles, ranging from gangsters to cops to journalists. Bajpayee has a diverse filmography that includes both mainstream and independent films. His filmography includes many notable films, including Satya (1998), Shool (1999), Pinjar (2003), Special 26 (2013), Aligarh (2015), and Sonchiriya (2019). The actor was also part of the popular web series The Family Man (2019). Some of his other top works include Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), LOC: Kargil (2003), Raajneeti (2010), Satyameva Jayate (2018), and Shootout at Wadala (2013), among others. Bajpayee has also been seen in Despatch (2024) and Joram (2023). He has also been a part of Gulmohar (2023), directed by Rahul V. Chittella. The story is based on complex, dysfunctional family life. Throughout his career, Bajpayee has been recognized for his talent and has received numerous awards and nominations. He has won three National Film Awards - Best Supporting Actor for Satya in 1999, Special Jury Award (Feature Film) for Pinjar in 2004, and Best Actor for Bhonsle (2018) in 2021.He has also won four Filmfare Awards, two under the category of Best Actor (Critics) for the films Satya, Shool, and Aligarh in 1999, 2000, and 2017 respectively, and one under the category of Best Actor in a Short Film?? for Taandav (2016?) in 2017.In 2019, Bajpayee was awarded the Padma Shri, which is India's fourth-highest civilian honour. In addition to his work in the film industry, Bajpayee is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He is actively involved in various social and charitable causes, including education and healthcare. He is also a strong advocate for environmental protection. He has also voiced his concerns about the state of migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bajpayee married Shabana Raza in 2006. They met in 1998 at a Bollywood party when the latter debuted with the film Kareeb (1998) opposite Bobby Deol. They have a daughter, Ava Nayla.

Mithun Chakraborty, whose birth name was Gouranga Chakraborty, is an actor, producer, and politician. He is a former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and has worked in several Hindi and Bengali films.

He studied at Oriental Seminary and then cleared his B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from Scottish Church College in Kolkata. Chakraborty graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

Chakraborty has appeared in over 350 films, including Hindi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Odia, Kannada, Telugu, and Punjabi movies. He made his acting debut with Mrigayaa (1977). This debut earned him his first National Film Award for Best Actor.

During his early career as an actor, he had minor roles in movies like Do Anjaane (1976) and Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan (1978). However, it was the low-budget espionage film Surakksha (1979) that propelled Chakraborty to fame. Additionally, Basu Chatterjee's film Prem Vivah (1979) was also a significant movie for Chakraborty in the late 1970s.

His collaboration with Deepak Bahry in 1979 with Tarana (1979) got him many hit films together in the 1980s, such as Humse Badhkar Kaun: The Entertainer (1998), Hum Se Hai Zamana (1983), and Woh Jo Hasina (1983).

Chakraborty debuted in Bengali cinema with Nadi Theke Sagare (1978), directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay. He impacted Hindi cinema in the 1980s with over 110 releases. He played Jimmy in the iconic 1982 film Disco Dancer (1982), which was the first film in India to gross Rs. 100 crores. He played dual roles for the first time in Taxi Chor (1980) and later played dual roles in 19 films.

Between 1990 and 1999, he appeared in over 100 movies and delivered several outstanding and unforgettable performances. Some of his notable works during this period include Agneepath (1990), which earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor, as well as hits like Shandar (1990) and Trinetra (1991).

He also won two National Film Awards for his role in Tahader Katha (1992) and Vivekananda (1998).

Chakraborty appeared on screen in several blockbusters in the mainstream Hindi film industry from 2000-2019. His film Elaan (2005) received massive appreciation from the audience and his critics. His movie Zor Lagaa Ke... Haiya! (2009) won multiple International awards, and critics appreciated Chal Chalein (2009) for its bold theme.

His next film Phir Kabhi (2008), was critically acclaimed and saw a direct-to-home (DTH) premiere in September 2009. The movie won as many as six awards in as many categories at the Los Angeles Reel Awards of 2009.

The Bhojpuri film, Bhole Shankar (2008) was Chakraborty's debut in the industry and is believed to be the biggest Bhojpuri film. He has played a role in films like Veer (2010) with Salman Khan and Golmaal 3 (2010) with Ajay Devgn. In 2012, he did three films with Akshay Kumar, OMG: Oh My God! (2012), Housefull 2 (2012), and Khiladi 786 (2012).

Chakraborty also made his Kannada debut with The Villain (2018), starring Shivarajkumar and Sudeep. He was also seen in The Kashmir Files (2022). Chakaraborty's web series, Bestseller (2022), was his debut in digital cinema through the OTT platform Amazon Prime.

Chakraborty is the recipient of three National Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards, one Screen Award, three BFJA Awards, two Anandalok Awards, one award from Stardust, one Annual Central European Bollywood Award, one Star Jahlsa Award, and one Star Jahlsa Award for his acting performance.

Chakraborty was the brand ambassador of Panasonic electronics in the late 1980s. He is the face of GoDaddy and the Manappuram Gold Loan for West Bengal state.

In 1979, he tied the knot with actress Helena Luke but their marriage lasted only for four months, and they separated, eventually getting a divorce. He then married another actress Yogeeta Bali in the same year. Together, they have four children - Mimoh, Ushmey Chakraborty, Namashi Chakraborty, and an adopted daughter named Dishani Chakraborty.

Mohanlal was born to Viswanathan Nair (father) and Santhakumari (mother) in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, which is located in the southern part of India on the 21st May 1960. Starting his career with a classic villain role, he has now become an outstanding actor in Malayalam Cinema. Without a doubt, Mohanlal is today's one of the best actors India has ever produced. He is also rated as one of the most talented actors in India. His ranges of movies are enviable, his comedy roles are incomparable and his unique style of dialogue delivery is effortless. Not many actors can portray both comedy and serious roles with the same ease. And with all these rare talents he has received "Padma Shri" and "Padma Bhushan", the nation's highest civilian honors. He has also won 5 National Film Awards, including Best Actor twice for Bharatham (1991) and the highly acclaimed Vaanaprastham (1999), as well as numerous other awards and honors.

He has reached this position with his hard work and devotion to the movie industry. As far as his acting is concerned, it's been acknowledged many times that he's the most gifted actor in the Indian movie field.

Motilal was born on 4 December 1910 in Shimla, Punjab, British India. He was an actor and director, known for Devdas (1955), Chhoti Chhoti Baatein (1965) and Sach Hai (1939). He died on 17 June 1965 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.

Vishwanath Patekar (born on January 1, 1951 in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, India) is an actor, writer and filmmaker. He is known for his work on Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), Raajneeti (2010) and Parinda (1989). He made his acting debut in the early 70's and since then has been nominated for multiple awards. He won a National Film Award and a Filmfare award for his supporting role in Parinda (1989). He then won the Best Villain award for his role on Angaar (1992). He is a very controversial actor, know for his different acting style, dialogues and dialogue delivery. He is sometimes regarded as the Morgan Freeman of Bollywood. In 1995, he won the National Film Award as well as the Filmfare and the Screen awards for Best Actor for his role in Krantiveer (1994). He is also the only actor ever to win Filmfare Awards in the Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Villain categories. He was bestowed the highest privilege in acting in 2013 when he was awarded the Padma Shri award for his dedication in the field of Films and Arts.

Patekar is an alumnus of the Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai and in September 2015, He established an organization, Naam Foundation with fellow Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure, which works to provide aid to farmers to overcome by drought conditions in Maharashtra, India. When he was awarded the Raj Kapoor award which carries a cash prize of Rs 10,00,000, he donated the entire amount towards drought relief activities in Maharashtra. Patekar was married to Neelkantee Patekar and they have a son Malhar Patekar but their marriage life did not go well and it resulted in a divorce.

Naseeruddin Shah was born on July 20 1950, in Barabanki, a small village in Uttar Pradesh. He is a seasoned Bollywood actor and has received several awards for his notable performance in several movies. The actor has also been awarded the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan awards for his enormous contributions to Indian cinema.

Shah was born into a Nawab family. He studied at St. Anselm's Ajmer School in Rajasthan and St. Joseph's College in Nainital. He completed his graduation from the Aligarh Muslim University in 1971. He also attended the National School of Drama, New Delhi.

At the age of 19, Shah married Manara Sikri, who was 36 years old and a divorcee. Post one year of their marriage, their daughter Heeba Shah was born. However, the relationship didn't work out, and they decided to part ways after 12 years of marriage.

Shah met Ratna Pathak Shah, daughter of Dina Pathak and a Bollywood actor in the 1970s. They fell in love and went on to co-star in several films. They tied the knot in 1982. They have two sons together - Imaaduddin Shah and Vivaan Shah. The couple currently resides with their children in Mumbai.

At the age of 18, Shah acted in Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1969), starring Hema Malini and Raj Kapoor. However, his scene was removed before the release of the movie.

He made his Bollywood debut with an uncredited role in Aman in 1967, a film starring Rajendra Kumar Tuli and Saira Banu. From then onwards, he went on to feature in various movies like Nishant (1975), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Katha (1983) and Junoon (1979).

In 1974, Shah founded a theatre company called Motley Productions, and their inaugural production was Waiting for Godot. He is also part of a theatre troupe and has performed across different cities like New Delhi, Lahore, and Mumbai. He has directed a few plays written by Lavender Kumar, Ismat Chughtai and Saadat Hasan Manto.

He started gaining popularity with his films Hum Paanch (1980) and Masoom (1983), which was shot at St Joseph's College, Nainital, where Shah had studied during his childhood. Another movie called Karma (1986), where he starred beside Dilip Kumar gained much acclaim.

Shah has been a part of several multi-star Bollywood movies like Ghulami (1985), Tridev (1989), and Tridev (1989). In 1994, he completed his 100th movie as an actor with Mohra (1994), where he played the role of a villain.

Shah has also been a part of international projects like the Hollywood adaptation of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003). He played the role of Captain Nemo in the film, which gained him a lot of praise.

In 2003, he acted in Vishal Bhardwaj's Maqbool (2003), an Indian adaptation of Macbeth, and in 2004, he appeared in Rajiv Rai's Asambhav (2004) with Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra.

Shah has won several awards, including three National Film Awards, three Filmfare awards, one IIFA award and two Bengal Film Journalists' Association awards. He also received the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival in 1984.

Om Puri was an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.

Puri was born in Ambala, Haryana. His father worked on the railways and served in the Indian Army. Puri graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India. He is also an alumnus of the 1973 class of National School of Drama where Naseeruddin Shah was a co-student.

Puri had worked in numerous Indian films and in many films produced in the United Kingdom and the United States. He made his film debut in the 1976 film Ghashiram Kotwal, based on a Marathi play of the same name. He has claimed that he was paid "peanuts" for his best work. He had collaborated with Amrish Puri as well as Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil in art films such as Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Sadgati (1981), Ardh Satya (1982), Mirch Masala (1986) and Dharavi (1992). He had been active in cinema. He was critically acclaimed for his performances in many unconventional roles such as a victimized tribal in Aakrosh (1980) (a film in which he spoke only during flash-back sequences); Jimmy's manager in Disco Dancer (1982); a police inspector in Ardh Satya (1982), where he revolts against life-long social, cultural and political persecution and for which he got the National Film Award for Best Actor; the leader of a cell of Sikh militants in Maachis (1996); as a tough cop again in the commercial film Gupt in 1997; and as the courageous father of a martyred soldier in Dhoop (2003). In 1999, Puri acted in a Kannada movie A.K. 47 as a strict police officer who tries to keep the city safe from the underworld - it became a huge commercial hit. Puri's acting in the movie is very memorable. He has rendered his own voice for the Kannada dialogues. In the same year, he starred in the successful British comedy film East is East, where he played a first-generation Pakistani immigrant in the north of England, struggling to come to terms with his far more westernized children. Om Puri had a cameo in the highly acclaimed film Gandhi (1982, directed by Richard Attenborough). In the mid-1990s, he diversified to play character roles in mainstream Hindi cinema, where his roles are more tuned to mass audiences than film critics. He became known internationally by starring in many British films such as My Son the Fanatic (1997), East Is East (1999) and The Parole Officer (2001). He appeared in Hollywood films including City of Joy (1992), opposite Patrick Swayze; Wolf (1994) alongside Jack Nicholson; and The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) opposite Val Kilmer. In 2007, he appeared as General Zia-ul-Haq in Charlie Wilson's War, which stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. He has worked in Hindi television serials like Kakkaji Kaheen (1988) (roughly meaning "Uncle says") as a paan-chewing 'Kakkaji', which was a parody on politicians, and Mr. Yogi (1989) as a suave 'Sutradhaar' who enjoys pulling the protagonist's leg. These two serials underlined Om Puri's versatility as a comedian. He received critical acclaim for him performance in Govind Nihalani's television film Tamas (1987) based on a Hindi novel of the same name. He essayed comic roles in Hindi films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro which reached a cult status, followed by Chachi 420 (1997), Hera Pheri (2000), Chor Machaye Shor (2002) and Malamaal Weekly (2006). His more recent Hindi film roles include Singh Is Kinng, Mere Baap Pehle Aap and Billu. Puri was seen in the role of Mohammad Ali Kasuri in Road to Sangam (2009). In 2010, he appeared in The Hangman. In 2011 he was in the Indian action movie Don 2. He had also worked in Aahat TV Series in some episodes during second season which was aired between 2004-2005 on Sony channel.

Pankaj Kapur, born in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, is a highly respected Indian actor, director, and playwright known for his exceptional contributions to the world of Indian cinema, television, and theater. With a career spanning over four decades, Pankaj Kapur has carved a niche for himself with his versatility, nuanced performances, and creative endeavors.

Pankaj Kapur began his acting journey in the theater, where he honed his skills and gained recognition for his exceptional talent. He made his mark in the world of television with the critically acclaimed series "Karamchand" (1985-1988), where he portrayed the titular character of the quirky detective Karamchand.

In Bollywood, Pankaj Kapur's film career took off with films like "Mandi" (1983) and "Ek Doctor Ki Maut" (1990), where he showcased his ability to portray complex and layered characters. However, it was his collaboration with filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj that brought him widespread acclaim.

Pankaj Kapur delivered memorable performances in Vishal Bhardwaj's films, including "Maqbool" (2003), "The Blue Umbrella" (2005), and "Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola" (2013). His collaborations with Bhardwaj were marked by their depth and authenticity, establishing Pankaj Kapur as a powerhouse performer in the industry.

Apart from his acting career, Pankaj Kapur has directed and produced television shows and films. His directorial venture, "Mausam" (2011), showcased his prowess behind the camera as well.

Pankaj Kapur is also known for his contribution to theater, where he has been associated with iconic productions. His work as a playwright and actor in plays like "Dopehri" has received critical acclaim and demonstrated his commitment to diverse forms of storytelling.

In recognition of his exceptional contribution to Indian cinema and entertainment, Pankaj Kapur has received numerous awards, including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Raakh" (1989) and the National Film Award for Best Actor for "Ek Doctor Ki Maut" (1991).

Pankaj Kapur continues to be an influential figure in the Indian entertainment industry, maintaining a balance between cinema, television, and theater.

Pratik Gandhi is an Indian theatre and film actor who primarily works in Gujarati theatre and cinema. He is widely recognized for playing Harshad Mehta in the 2020 Sony LIV biographical series Scam 1992. Pratik Gandhi was born in Surat to parents who were teachers. He studied at Surat where he was involved in theatre arts. He graduated in Industrial Engineering in Jalgaon North Maharashtra University Maharashtra and started working as an engineer in Reliance Industries in day time and doing theatre in evening. He worked with National Productivity Council in Satara, Pune and later also worked for a multinational corporation in Mumbai. Pratik Gandhi fell in love with television and theatre actress Bhamini Oza and they got married in 2009. Miraya, their daughter was born in 2014. He also has a younger brother, Punit Gandhi, who is a designer by profession, but has also lent his voice in the movie Love Ni Bhavai in the song "Athadaya Kare Che". He received an opportunity to work in a Gujarati play Aa Paar Ke Pele Paar with Firoz Bhagat, Apara Mehta, Vipra Rawal which was about to open in a short period. The play was commercially successful. He was landed a role performing with another stalwart of Gujarati theatre, Manoj Shah. He received a role in the Gujarati film Bey Yaar (2014) which became commercially and critically successful. He continued to work in theatre with several hit plays like Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon, Hu Chandrakant Bakshi as well as Ame Badha Sathe To Duniya Laiye Mathe, in which he played multiple roles. He was included in the Limca Book of Records with his play Mohan's Masala; a monologue performed in three languages, English, Hindi and Gujarati on the same day. He played a lead role in his next Wrong Side Raju (2016), which also became commercially and critically successful. The film went on to win the National Award for Best Gujarati Film. His biographical drama web series, Scam 1992 (2020) depicting stock broker Harshad Mehta became a blockbuster.

Raj Kumar is also known as Rajkummar Rao. He was born in Gurgaon. He finished his schooling in Gurgaon and graduated in Arts from Delhi University. He was simultaneously doing theatre with Kshitij Repertory and SRC in Delhi. He is an Acting graduate from Pune's Film and Television Institute of India. Raj Kumar's debut film was Dibakar Banerjee's Love Sex aur Dhokha in 2010.