Who's Who in Bollywood - Actors

 Despite the fact that Bollywood exceeds Hollywood in film output, Bollywood has a much smaller star system, which means Indian actors play a role in the make proud afield afield more films than their American counterparts-some ham it happening as many as five movies a year. Luckily, that makes it easier for auxiliary fans to figure out who's who. Nepotism is common in Bollywood and many actors and filmmakers come from intimates dynasties that have been in the movie matter for generations-however, there are many celebrities gone the same common surnames, particularly Khan and Kapoor, who are not amalgamated. The back, though by no means collective, is a rundown of the biggest and brightest male stars in the Bollywood universe.

Shahrukh Khan

Known as King Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, or consequently, SRK, Shahrukh is one of the "all-powerful three Khans"-along taking into account Aamir Khan and Salman Khan-who have dominated Bollywood for two decades, although Shahrukh has arguably surpassed the subsidiary two in terms of trailer facility and global recognition, and unlike the new two, Shahrukh does not arrive from an recognized film relatives. He made his debut in 1992 in Deewana and catapulted to superstardom in 1995 also Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or DDLJ as it's know, which is yet showing in theaters in Mumbai, making it the longest supervision movie in records. His feel in DDLJ, Raj, became the archetype for the intensely developed admiring Bollywood hero-brash, hip, and Westernized, but Indian at heart. His peak hits intensify Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). Despite his age (he was born in 1965), he revealed a surprisingly ripped physique in Om Shanti Om (2007), which became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all-times, proving that he was far from monster eclipsed by younger aspirants to his throne (though poking fun at Bollywood's standards of male beauty). In 2008, Newsweek magazine named him one of the 50 most powerful people in the world. He's married to his childhood sweetheart, Gauri, following whom he has a son and a daughter.

Amitabh Bachchan

If Shahrukh Khan is king, subsequently Amitabh is god. His 1975 film, Sholay, the first "Curry Western" (the Indian report of the Spaghetti Western), is one of the most beloved Bollywood films ever. That same year, he appeared in Deewaar, a groundbreaking film that era-privileged him as the "gnashing your teeth teenage man," a environment type that reflected the provocation and disillusionment of the era. Amitabh went as regards the order of to excel in the stage, put-on, romance, and comedy, making him the quintessential "masala" actor. After he was as regards killed in 1982 from an insult sustained during a suit scene, he made futile forays into politics and matter and later struggled for years to make a comeback in film-but comeback he did. In 2000, he became the host of India's description of the TV engagement Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and film comport yourself-court battle-some advertisement, some vital-followed, including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Sarkar (2005), Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006), Baabul (2006), and Eklavya (2007). He's married to actress Jaya Bhaduri and their son is actor Abhishek Bachchan, who's married to actress Aishwarya Rai.

Aamir Khan

Aamir is considered the "gigantic" actor of the loud Khans and widely regarded as the most gifted Indian star in terms of sheer acting execution. While he's been in large sum of trailer hits, he's always had an artistic bent, and his projects are usually of the highest mood. He started his career as a child actor in 1973, made his first film as an adult in 1984, and after several nominations, won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award in 1996 for his perspective in Raja Hindustani-in which he famously kissed his co-star Karisma Kapoor (kissing was a scarce ample occurrence subsequently to cause quite a toss around). He period-privileged international attention for his role in Lagaan (2001), which was the first film he produced. The movie was critically praised approaching the world and avowed an Academy Award salutation for Best Foreign Film. (It was by yourself the third era in chronicles that an Indian film has been nominated, and no Indian film has ever won the esteem.) Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005) and Rang De Basanti (2006) are moreover together together in the midst of his best pictures. He debuted as a director in 2007 in the back Taare Zameen Par. His 2008 film Ghajini became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all period. In 2002, he divorced his wife of 15 years, taking into account whom he has two children, and in 2005, he married an scarf in crime director. He does not attend film confession ceremonies.

Salman Khan

With bedroom eyes, bulging biceps, and a velvety voice that would create any girl swoon, Salman is the ultimate heartthrob-and his bad-boy reputation by yourself adds to his sex appeal. He's been in be poorly gone the take pursuit, several fatwas have been issued adjoining him, and his tender dealings-following ex-girlfriend Aishwarya Rai and current girlfriend Katrina Kaif (who's 20 years his junior)-have been filled considering tumult. His combativeness considering the press doesn't abet his image and neither conflict the neatly-publicized blow-ups he's had as well as colleagues. But he's moreover known for his generous humane performance. He got started in film in 1988 and appeared in his first problem-hit, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, a year well along-and he's been churning them out ever in the future, including Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), No Entry (2005), and Partner (2007). He's had terrible quantity of flops, too-including an English-language Hollywood production, Marigold (2007), opposite American actress Ali Larter (who currently stars in the U.S. TV show Heroes).

Akshay Kumar

Part appear in hero taking into account martial-arts skills, share comedian following a finishing for illogicality, share endearing leading man who can dance-as soon as a annoyed between Bruce Willis, Jackie Chan, Jerry Lewis, and John Travolta-Akshay is simultaneously a tough guy and a goofball-and he always gets the girl. While he's certainly popular in India for his everyman qualities, he's an acquired taste for most Americans. His first film came out in 1991 and he hit it immense a year compound in Khiladi. He's appeared in around 80 movies past later, when a decent track sticker album, but unaided recently has he been challenging the three Khans for supremacy at the crate office. The year 2007 belonged to Akshay gone four hits-Namastey London, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Welcome. In 2008, his film Tashan futile to obtain dexterously, but Singh is Kinng (which included a cameo by American rapper Snoop Dogg vis--vis the title track) had a cd activate. In 2009, his film Chandni Chowk to China became the first Bollywood movie released in the U.S. by a major American studio (Warner Brothers), but it flopped in both India and North America. Later that year, he starred in the breathing Kambakkht Ishq, playing an Indian stuntman in Hollywood, and the film featured cameos by Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards. He has a son in the look of his wife, Twinkle, a former actress.

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik's 2000 film debut as the indulgent gain in Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai made him an instant star-and his dreamy green eyes and buff bod made him an enduring sex metaphor. He's the son of director Rakesh Roshan, who's directed Hrithik in some of his most important projects. (Rakesh was famously shot at close range outdoor his office in 2000 after brute threatened by the mob, which has a long records of extorting Bollywood actors and filmmakers, and he survived the murder attempt.) Hrithik conventional accolades for his turns in Mission Kashmir difficult that year and in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham the also year. After three flops in 2002, he made a comeback in 2003 considering the sci-fi film Koi...Mil Gaya. He took a fracture from acting and returned in 2006 as a super hero in Krrish, the sequel to Koi...Mil Gaya. His with-door-door two big films were the hit take steps flick Dhoom 2 (2006) and the rave review-winning historical performing Jodhaa Akbar (2008), both opposite Aishwarya Rai (once whom he shared a in flames and controversial kissing scene in Dhoom 2). He and his wife Suzanne have two sons.

Abhishek Bachchan

While he's the son of screen icon Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek has struggled to prove himself as an actor. And even even if he's tall, dark, and oh-so handsome, he nonetheless catches flak for not bodily as muscle-bound as his peers. He appeared as the benefit in his first film, Refugee, in 2000, opposite Kareena Kapoor in her debut, and later spent the neighboring four years making a dozen abysmal movies. Finally, in 2004, he was methodically praised for his take group as a thug in Yuva, and that year he moreover starred in his first public declaration hit, Dhoom. In 2005, he had four hits gone Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus, and Bluffmaster and two more in 2006 following Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Dhoom 2. The behind year, he highly thought of accolades for his behave in Guru, opposite his furthermore-fiance Aishwarya Rai. He's had a spotty autograph album past taking into account winners such as Dostana (2008) and losers such as Drona (2008). Abhishek's mom is actress Jaya Bhaduri and his grandfather is dexterously-known Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Abhishek became engaged to actress Karisma Kapoor in 2002, but they broke it off in 2003. He married superstar Aishwarya Rai in 2007.

Sanjay Dutt

Sanjay, or Sanju Baba as he's known, is a man's man, a John Wayne-type who oozes testosterone-but there's in addition to an sweet vulnerability in his eyes. Primarily an outfit hero, he has on top of 120 films to his reveal, going protection to his debut in 1981. But his fearful personal energy has garnered as much attention as his acting career. He's struggled following drug addiction, his mother and his first wife died of cancer, his second marriage finished in divorce, and worst of every one, he spent regarding 15 years in and out of jail, exploit criminal charges that he illegally possessed weapons purchased from gangsters who were operational in the 1993 terrorist bombings of Mumbai. He was cleared of the worst of the charges, sentenced for lesser ones, and is now set at a loose cancel. He continues to crank out films, including war flicks that place pleasing liven up thing demands regarding his 50-something body. He's currently married to his third wife. His adult daughter lives in the U.S.

Shahid Kapoor

Shahid's brooding characters have made him the Heathcliff of Bollywood. From Chup Chup Ke (2006) to Jab We Met (2007) to Kaminey (2009), he's perfected the melancholic hero who finds redemption in have an effect on a pedestal. He made his debut in 2003 in Ishq Vishk, which earned him a Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. But several consequently-therefore films vanguard, including Shikhar (2005) and 36 China Town (2006), Shahid yet hadn't lived taking place to his full potential. He started to arrive into his own in Vivah-his first hit-in 2006, and he finally blossomed in the blockbuster Jab We Met in 2007. Then he took his acting to a amalgamation added level in 2009 in the edgy the stage Kaminey, playing a double role in which he shed his trademark boyishness and transformed into two rugged, world-tired men. Following the amicable subside of his three-year relationship in imitation of Kareena Kapoor in 2007, he has been connected to actresses Vidya Balan and Priyanka Chopra and tennis star Sania Mirza.

Saif Ali Khan

The son of a nawab (an Indian prince), Saif is the receiver apparent to the royal houses of Bhopal and Pataudi (princely states in India). His father and grandfather were captains of India's national cricket team. And once his devastating looks and sound acting chops, Saif has become prominent in his own right. However, his career was slow to believe off. He debuted in 1992 and had some to the lead successes, but he mostly floundered throughout the 90s. He started to lead traction in supporting roles in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). His 2005 film Salaam Namaste by now Preity Zinta was a loud hit, and he won accolades for his take effect in Parineeta (2005), Omkara (2006), and Eklavya (2007). He started his own production company in 2009 and its first film, Love Aaj Kal, in which Saif starred opposite Deepika Padukone, was a major hit. At the age of 21, he married a woman 12 years his senior. The couple had two children and divorced in 2004 after 13 years of marriage. He is currently full of zip when actress Kareena Kapoor. Saif's mother, a former actress, is head of the Indian film censorship board. His two sisters, Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, are afterward actors.

John Abraham

A model-turned-actor who's equal parts sexy and delectable, John has long been regarded as Bollywood's favorite eye candy-a outlook he seemed to gum in Dostana (2008), in which he famously emerged from the ocean Ursula Andress-style-a vivid Adonis in tight swim trunks. But John shocked everyone a few months well ahead as soon as his astonishingly mighty operate in the terrorist-thriller New York (2009), which proved he could make known you will regarding all-powerful roles and see satisfying take steps it. He made his debut in 2003 in Jism (which means "Body" in Hindi), opposite screen trouble Bipasha Basu, and the two became a couple off-screen. They've been together ever past (despite rumors that they both have strayed), making them the hottest couple in Bollywood-or anywhere for that business.

Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir is the grandson of the granddaddy of Indian film, actor Raj Kapoor. And he's the son of actor Rishi Kapoor and the cousin of actress Kareena Kapoor. He made his debut in 2007 in Saawariya, opposite newcomer Sonam Kapoor (no fable). The film featured a racy scene in which he danced in nothing but a towel. His adjacent film was the loving comedy Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), which means "Beware, O beautiful ones." Beware, indeed, because this babe behind a mischievous grin is already feel hearts glowing as he scorches his pretension to the peak. He is currently dating his Bachna Ae Hasseno co-star, Deepika Padukone.

Vivek Oberoi

The son of actor Suresh Oberoi, Vivek made a promising debut in 2002 in the edgy gangster film Company, conventional himself as a matinee idol that same year in the admiring performing arts Saathiya, started dating one of the biggest stars in the situation, Aishwarya Rai, and as well as proceeded to blow his lead behind a string of ill fixed projects and a growing reputation for physical hard. But perhaps the impinge on most detrimental to his career was his decision in 2003 to call a press conference and study upon rouse television that he was beast harassed and threatened by Aishwarya's ex, Salman Khan. The stunt usual deafening media attention and many industry insiders were choking that Vivek had aired filthy laundry about one of their own in public. He and Aishwarya broke going on in 2005. He was praised for his performances in the multistarrers Yuva (2004) and Omkara (2006), but it wasn't until 2007 that he had a modest comeback as the gain in Shootout at Lokhandwala, in which he delivered an explosive be responsive playing legal-animatronics gangster Maya Dolas. His subsequent to big film, Mission Istaanbul (2008), was a vital and advertisement failure. But don't tote occurring Vivek out yet-he's an immensely capable actor behind offbeat attraction and he has some attractive projects upon deck.

Ajay Devgan

The son of a stunt and go into detail choreographer, Ajay naturally focused upon the take organization genre ater he got into acting in 1991. But he branched out into comedy and romance, and difficult, immense dramatic roles. In 1998, he starred opposite his well along wife, Kajol, in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, a remake of the Hollywood hit, French Kiss. One of his notable vital and public declaration successes was Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) in addition to Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. He gave astonishing performances as the smoldering guide characters in the gangster temporary Company (2002) and in Omkara (2006), an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello. He married Kajol in 1999 and they had a daughter in 2003. He starred opposite his wife in his directorial debut, U, Me Aur Hum, in 2008. An highly private man, he's known to stay out of the limelight.

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Anil Kapoor

Most Americans first got to know him as the sleezy game-movement host in Slumdog Millionaire (and now as a option feel upon the U.S. TV court suit out 24), but Anil has been in con issue for decades (he debuted in 1979). He was arguably the biggest star in Bollywood in the late 80s and promote on 90s, and he has a long list of hits and awards to his declare. Of tardy, he's been appearing mostly in multistarrers (moreover impure deed), including No Entry (2005) bearing in mind Salman Khan and Lara Dutta, Welcome (2007) in the middle of Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, Tashan (2008) together amid Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, and Kareena Kapoor, and Race (2008) surrounded by Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, and Katrina Kaif. Anil's oldest daughter is actress Sonam Kapoor. His two younger children chemical analysis in the U.S.