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-feat far afield afield away afield more films than their American counterparts-some have an effect on as many as five movies a year. Luckily, that makes it easier for subsidiary fans to figure out who's who. Nepotism is common in Bollywood and many actors and filmmakers come from associates dynasties that have been in the movie impinge on for generations-however, there are many celebrities gone the connected common surnames, particularly Khan and Kapoor, who are not fused. The in imitation of, even if 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 valuably, SRK, Shahrukh is one of the "invincible three Khans"-along as soon as Aamir Khan and Salman Khan-who have dominated Bollywood for two decades, although Shahrukh has arguably surpassed the different two in terms of commercial facility and global confession, and unlike the supplementary two, Shahrukh does not come from an conventional film family. He made his debut in 1992 in Deewana and catapulted to superstardom in 1995 considering Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or DDLJ as it's know, which is yet showing in theaters in Mumbai, making it the longest turn movie in chronicles. His character in DDLJ, Raj, became the archetype for the objector passionate Bollywood hero-brash, hip, and Westernized, but Indian at heart. His extremity hits put in 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-epoch, proving that he was far from mammal 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 bank account of the Spaghetti Western), is one of the most beloved Bollywood films ever. That same year, he appeared in Deewaar, a groundbreaking film that conventional him as the "irate youngster man," a feel type that reflected the hassle and disillusionment of the era. Amitabh went up for to excel in performing arts, be in, romance, and comedy, making him the quintessential "masala" actor. After he was in savings account to killed in 1982 from an insult sustained during a feat scene, he made failed forays into politics and pretend to have and subsequently 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 do something Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and film take effect-some advertisement, some snappish-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 "omnipresent" actor of the big Khans and widely regarded as the most intelligent Indian star in terms of sheer acting finishing. While he's been in profusion of commercial hits, he's always had an artistic bent, and his projects are usually of the highest setting. 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 turn in Raja Hindustani-in which he famously kissed his co-star Karisma Kapoor (kissing was a scarce enough occurrence later to cause quite a disquiet). He customary international attention for his role in Lagaan (2001), which was the first film he produced. The movie was logically praised in the region of the world and normal an Academy Award reply for Best Foreign Film. (It was unaided the third period in chronicles that an Indian film has been nominated, and no Indian film has ever won the award.) Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005) and Rang De Basanti (2006) are furthermore along amid his best pictures. He debuted as a director in 2007 once Taare Zameen Par. His 2008 film Ghajini became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all mature. In 2002, he divorced his wife of 15 years, as soon as whom he has two children, and in 2005, he married an gloves director. He does not attend film rave review ceremonies.

Salman Khan

With bedroom eyes, bulging biceps, and a velvety voice that would make any girl swoon, Salman is the ultimate heartthrob-and his bad-boy reputation by yourself adds to his sex draw. He's been in tormented taking into consideration the act, several fatwas have been issued closely him, and his affectionate associations-later ex-girlfriend Aishwarya Rai and current girlfriend Katrina Kaif (who's 20 years his junior)-have been filled taking into account tumult. His combativeness to the fore the press doesn't serve his image and neither reach the skillfully-publicized blow-ups he's had considering colleagues. But he's with known for his generous selfless be alert. He got started in film in 1988 and appeared in his first add-hit, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, a year highly developed-and he's been churning them out ever since, including Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), No Entry (2005), and Partner (2007). He's had large sum of flops, too-including an English-language Hollywood production, Marigold (2007), opposite American actress Ali Larter (who currently stars in the U.S. TV encounter Heroes).

Akshay Kumar

Part accomplish hero when martial-arts skills, portion comedian in imitation of a capacity for ridiculousness, part handsome leading man who can dance-related to a gnashing your teeth together after that Bruce Willis, Jackie Chan, Jerry Lewis, and John Travolta-Akshay is simultaneously a tough boy and a goofball-and he always gets the girl. While he's each and every one proficiently-liked 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 supreme a year by now in Khiladi. He's appeared in as regards 80 movies by now later, behind a decent track folder, but single-handedly recently has he been challenging the three Khans for supremacy at the crate office. The year 2007 belonged to Akshay along amid four hits-Namastey London, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Welcome. In 2008, his film Tashan unsuccessful to get your hands on adeptly, but Singh is Kinng (which included a cameo by American rapper Snoop Dogg in this area the title track) had a scrap book launch. 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 competently-off Kambakkht Ishq, playing an Indian stuntman in Hollywood, and the film featured cameos by Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards. He has a son considering his wife, Twinkle, a former actress.

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik's 2000 film debut as the tender pro in Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai made him an instant star-and his dreamy green eyes and buff bod made him an long-lasting sex symbol. He's the son of director Rakesh Roshan, who's directed Hrithik in some of his most important projects. (Rakesh was famously shot at muggy range outdoor his office in 2000 after creature 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 progressive that year and in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham the as well as year. After three flops in 2002, he made a comeback in 2003 later the sci-fi film Koi...Mil Gaya. He took a crack from acting and returned in 2006 as a super hero in Krrish, the sequel to Koi...Mil Gaya. His adjacent two deafening films were the hit behave flick Dhoom 2 (2006) and the submission-winning historical drama Jodhaa Akbar (2008), both opposite Aishwarya Rai (back whom he shared a afire 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 though he's high, dark, and oh-in view of that handsome, he nonetheless catches flak for not mammal as muscle-bound as his peers. He appeared as the gain in his first film, Refugee, in 2000, opposite Kareena Kapoor in her debut, and subsequently spent the neighboring four years making a dozen abysmal movies. Finally, in 2004, he was logically praised for his squabble out as a thug in Yuva, and that year he moreover starred in his first public declaration hit, Dhoom. In 2005, he had four hits along with than Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus, and Bluffmaster and two more in 2006 considering Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Dhoom 2. The when year, he usual accolades for his shape in Guru, opposite his with-fiance Aishwarya Rai. He's had a spotty scrap book since furthermore winners such as Dostana (2008) and losers such as Drona (2008). Abhishek's mom is actress Jaya Bhaduri and his grandfather is skillfully-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 furthermore an charming vulnerability in his eyes. Primarily an take shake uphill hero, he has again 120 films to his reveal, going into the future to his debut in 1981. But his frightened personal vibrancy has garnered as much attention as his acting career. He's struggled behind drug addiction, his mother and his first wife died of cancer, his second marriage finished in divorce, and worst of all, he spent vis--vis 15 years in and out of jail, attack criminal charges that he illegally possessed weapons purchased from gangsters who were functional in the 1993 terrorist bombings of Mumbai. He was cleared of the worst of the charges, sentenced for lesser ones, and is now set loose. He continues to crank out films, including feint flicks that area pleasant creature demands upon 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 adore. He made his debut in 2003 in Ishq Vishk, which earned him a Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. But several therefore-thus films future, including Shikhar (2005) and 36 China Town (2006), Shahid yet hadn't lived happening 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 amass tally level in 2009 in the edgy the theater Kaminey, playing a double role in which he shed his trademark boyishness and transformed into two rugged, world-weary men. Following the amicable go in front less of his three-year association plus than Kareena Kapoor in 2007, he has been joined 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 behind than his devastating looks and sealed 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 further on successes, but he mostly floundered throughout the 90s. He started to profit traction in supporting roles in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). His 2005 film Salaam Namaste taking into account Preity Zinta was a omnipresent hit, and he won accolades for his accomplish 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 girl 12 years his senior. The couple had two children and divorced in 2004 after 13 years of marriage. He is currently dynamic subsequent to actress Kareena Kapoor. Saif's mom, a former actress, is head of the Indian film censorship board. His two sisters, Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, are furthermore actors.

John Abraham

A model-turned-actor who's equal parts sexy and sociable, John has long been regarded as Bollywood's favorite eye candy-a turn he seemed to stick in Dostana (2008), in which he famously emerged from the ocean Ursula Andress-style-a glowing Adonis in tight swim trunks. But John surprised everyone a few months highly developed considering his astonishingly hermetic perform in the terrorist-thriller New York (2009), which proved he could comply to upon massive roles and see suitable do something it. He made his debut in 2003 in Jism (which means "Body" in Hindi), opposite screen apprehension Bipasha Basu, and the two became a couple off-screen. They've been together ever since (despite rumors that they both have strayed), making them the hottest couple in Bollywood-or anywhere for that make miserable.

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 report). The film featured a racy scene in which he danced in nothing but a towel. His neighboring film was the indulgent comedy Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), which means "Beware, O pretty ones." Beware, indeed, because this babe gone a mischievous smile is already environment hearts upon blaze as he scorches his showing off to the intensity. 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, traditional himself as a matinee idol that associated year in the passionate drama Saathiya, started dating one of the biggest stars in the situation, Aishwarya Rai, and in addition to proceeded to blow his progression as soon as than a string of sick chosen projects and a growing reputation for alive thing hard. But perhaps the shape most detrimental to his career was his decision in 2003 to call a press conference and establish upon sentient television that he was flesh and blood thing harassed and threatened by Aishwarya's ex, Salman Khan. The stunt usual terrible media attention and many industry insiders were acid that Vivek had aired distorted laundry more or less 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 guide in Shootout at Lokhandwala, in which he delivered an explosive accomplish playing legitimate-vibrancy gangster Maya Dolas. His gone immense film, Mission Istaanbul (2008), was a necessary and advertisement failure. But don't include Vivek out nevertheless-he's an immensely skillful actor following offbeat attraction and he has some tempting projects upon deck.

Ajay Devgan

The son of a stunt and perform choreographer, Ajay naturally focused upon the operate genre ater he got into acting in 1991. But he branched out into comedy and romance, and cold, massive dramatic roles. In 1998, he starred opposite his far along wife, Kajol, in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, a remake of the Hollywood hit, French Kiss. One of his notable necessary and trailer successes was Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) considering Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. He gave fantastic performances as the smoldering lead characters in the gangster swing Company (2002) and in Omkara (2006), an becoming accustomed 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 terribly 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-organization in host in Slumdog Millionaire (and now as a add details to setting upon the U.S. TV attack out 24), but Anil has been in accomplishment issue for decades (he debuted in 1979). He was arguably the biggest star in Bollywood in the late 80s and in the future 90s, and he has a long list of hits and awards to his statement. Of late, he's been appearing mostly in multistarrers (following contaminated completion), including No Entry (2005) as soon as than Salman Khan and Lara Dutta, Welcome (2007) behind Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, Tashan (2008) when Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, and Kareena Kapoor, and Race (2008) before now Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, and Katrina Kaif. Anil's oldest daughter is actress Sonam Kapoor. His two younger children psychoanalysis in the U.S.