Bollywood cinema is adored throughout the world. It hasn’t just captivated audiences in India. As a result, the Indian Hindi-language film industry has entertained millions of people globally over the years. From the memorable songs by the likes of Arijit Singh to some hugely talented Indian directors, the production value on offer is of the highest standard. The same applies to the acting too.
Bollywood actors have always attracted huge fanbases. When assessing the various talents to emerge from Bollywood in the history of the genre, the acting and the array of movies they have featured in has resulted in numerous masterpieces over the years. Indian cinema has an extremely rich history, and the actors in many of the smash-hit releases have left a lasting impression on audiences, both with their talent on display and the captivating movies they help elevate to another level.
With a number of Bollywood actors registering huge success in a number of memorable releases over the course of Bollywood history, here is a look back at just four male actors who will never be forgotten.
Govinda
Acting in over 120 films, Govinda is an instantly recognisable face from Indian cinema. Hit releases featuring the comedy actor include DariyaDil, Swarg and Hum, but in truth, the list could be far longer. One of the most successful actors of his generation and truly gifted dancer, Govinda has acted alongside a number of greats during his time also. If you’re a fan of Bollywood cinema, then you have most definitely seen a movie featuring Govinda. He has no doubt made you laugh along the way, too.
Amitabh Bachchan
Known for his deep baritone voice, Amitabh Bachchan’s journey into the Bollywood scene is quite remarkable. After numerous trials and tribulations as he attempted to forge a career in the industry, Amitabh Bachchan eventually got his break in Bollywood after a letter of introduction from the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi. Since then, after a few failed releases, he has starred in some of the biggest and best Bollywood films ever made, including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Baghban, and Khakee. His son, Abhishek, was clearly inspired along the way after becoming an actor himself too.
Kamal Haasan
After starring in nearly 220 films in the major Indian languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi), Kamal Haasan is a much-loved actor from the Bollywood genre. In the same way that a poker player playing live casino poker in India can mix up their tactics from time to time, so too did Kamal Haasan on his route to stardom. He is known for having an avid interest in every aspect of film, hence why he featured in such a variety of movies. From the likes of Rajapaarvai and Apoorva Sahotharargal to Hey Ram and Panchathanthiram, Haasan is a master of his trade. He has written a number of iconic movies also, as well as creating an extensive array of fiction and non-fiction in Tamil.
Om Puri
An Indian actor who appeared in both mainstream Indian movies and art releases, Om Puri even dabbled in the odd American and British release also. British movie, East is East, where he played a first-generation Pakistani immigrant in the north of England, was a particular hit as he captivated foreign audiences in what is a powerful movie. He has also played leading roles in the likes of BhavniBhavai, Sadgati, Mirch Masala, Dharavi, and Aakrosh, alongside a whole host of other movies.
Special mention must also go to Shah Rukh Khan, Raj Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Amrish Puri, Pran, Manoj Bajpayee, Guru Dutt, and Dilip Kumar.
