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. [3]
Contents
- 1920s
- 1930s
- 1940s
- 1950s
- 1960s
- 1970s
- 1980s
- 1990s
- 2000s
- 2010s
- 2020s
- See also
- References
- External links
In early Indian cinema, male actors often played female roles because acting was considered taboo for women. Durgabai Kamat and her 4-year-old daughter, Kamlabai Gokhale, were the first female actors to appear in a full-length feature film in Indian Cinema in 1913. Gradually, as women from more liberal backgrounds, such as Anglo-Indian and Jewish communities, began entering the industry in the 1920s and adopting Indian stage names such as Sulochana and Sudhabala, their success paved the way for actresses like Durga Khote and Devika Rani, who rose to fame in the 1930s as silent films transitioned to talkies. By the 1940s, icons like Noor Jehan, Suraiya, and Mumtaz Shanti built successful careers, with many moving to Pakistani cinema after the partition of India in 1947. [4] The "Golden Age" of Hindi cinema, featured actresses like Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nutan, Vyjayanthimala, Waheeda Rehman and Asha Parekh, who became the symbols of grace and emotional depth onscreen, as films gradually transitioned from black-and-white to color. The 1970s ushered in a new era, with actresses like Sharmila Tagore, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri and Rekha playing diverse roles in both traditional and modern narratives, while glamour heroines like Parveen Babi and Zeenat Aman brought a new dimension onscreen. The 1980s saw Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil led the wave of "parallel cinema" in contrast to the rise of mainstream stars like Sridevi, Jaya Prada, Dimple Kapadia, and many others. The 1990s, marked by economic liberalisation, witnessed Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla and Kajol dominating the industry with their versatility, charm, and dancing skills, while actresses like Tabu and Manisha Koirala explored unconventional roles.
As the 21st century took hold, a new surge of contemporary actresses emerged, including pageant winners like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra, who expanded Bollywood's global reach by venturing into international projects, while others like Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut and Deepika Padukone gained popularity and pushed boundaries of career longevity for actresses. [2]
The following are some of the most renowned actresses and the decades when they were most recognized. [5] [6] [7] [8]
