Given below is a list of all the notable actresses, who have starred in Hindi cinema, the Hindi language film industry now known as Bollywood, based primarily in Mumbai. Many actresses have had careers spanning multiple decades, often becoming closely associated with specific periods during which their influence and popularity peaked. [4]
Contents
- 1920s
- 1930s
- 1940s
- 1950s
- 1960s
- 1970s
- 1980s
- 1990s
- 2000s
- 2010s
- 2020s
- See also
- References
- External links
In early Indian cinema, men often played female roles because acting was considered taboo for women. In 1913, Durgabai Kamat and her 4-year-old daughter, Kamlabai Gokhale, were the first female actors to appear in a full-length feature Indian film. During the 1920s, women from Anglo-Indian and Jewish backgrounds gradually entered the industry — adopting screen names like Sulochana and Sudhabala, which helped pave the way for pioneers like Durga Khote and Devika Rani. The transition from silent films to talkies in the 1930s made singing a desirable skill, enabling women like Kajjanbai, Khursheed Bano, Suraiya and Noor Jehan, to build successful careers as both singers and actors, with many migrating to Pakistani cinema after the partition of India in 1947. [1] During the ' Golden Age' (late 1940s–1960s), the rise and integration of playback singing and dance in films brought greater emphasis on nuanced performances, bringing forth artists like Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nutan, Geeta Bali, Vyjayanthimala, Asha Parekh and Waheeda Rehman, as cinema evolved to color print films. The 1970s were ruled by bonafide stars like Sharmila Tagore, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Rekha, Parveen Babi, and Zeenat Aman, but they remained largely associated with either traditional or modern archetypes. The 1980s saw Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil emerge as leading figures of ' Parallel Cinema' for their strong and realistic portrayals, contrasting with contemporary stars like Sridevi, Jaya Prada and Dimple Kapadia. The 1990s witnessed a diverse group of actresses like Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Tabu, Manisha Koirala and others captivating audiences with their charm, while also embracing more unconventional roles, that extended well beyond the decade.
Since the early 2000s, pageant winners turned actresses like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra have broadened Bollywood’s global reach, while others like Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Vidya Balan and Deepika Padukone continue to push the boundaries of career longevity for actresses and have helped popularize women-led commercial films. [13] More recently, Alia Bhatt has emerged as one of the most prominent stars of her generation, balancing critical acclaim with mainstream success. [16] [17] [18] The advent of streaming has further democratized storytelling, allowing actresses of all ages, ethnicity, and backgrounds to experiment with diverse roles and receive critical acclaim. [19]
The following are some of the most renowned actresses and the decades when they were most recognized. [20] [21] [22] [23]
