Ashok Kumar, was an Indian actor who attained iconic status in Indian cinema. He was considered the first big star of Hindi cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor. He was a member of the cinematic Ganguly family. He was honoured in 1988 with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the Government of India. He also received the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Nutan Samarth Bahl, known mononymously as Nutan, was an Indian actress who worked primarily in Hindi films. In a career spanning nearly four decades, she appeared in more than 80 films, that ranged in genre from urban romances to socio-realist dramas. Regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema, Nutan was noted for her naturalistic acting style in parts of conflicted women often deemed unconventional. Her accolades include a record five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. In 1974, Nutan received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.
Sunil Dutt was an Indian actor, film producer, director and politician. Dutt was honoured with Padma Shri, in 1968, by the Government of India, for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Nargis Dutt was an Indian actress and politician who worked in Hindi cinema. Regarded as one of the finest and greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, Nargis often portrayed sophisticated and independent women. Her work was in a range of genres, from screwball comedy to literary drama, and earned her various accolades.
Jaya Bachchan is an Indian actress and politician. She has served as a member of parliament in the Rajya Sabha from the Samajwadi Party. Known for her work in Hindi films, she is noted for reinforcing a natural style of acting in both mainstream and "middle-of-the-road" cinema. A recipient of several accolades, she has won a record nine Filmfare Awards and the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India.
Mumtaz Askari Madhvani is an Indian actress who worked in Hindi films. Regarded as one of finest actresses of Hindi cinema, Mumtaz is the recipient of two Filmfare Award. Mumtaz made her acting debut at age 11 with Sone Ki Chidiya (1958), and did smaller roles in films like Stree (1961) and Sehra (1963).
Waheeda Rehman is an Indian actress. Regarded as one of Hindi cinema's most accomplished actresses, she has worked in more than 90 feature films, in a career spanning over five decades. Her accolades include a National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. She was honoured with India's civilian awards; the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. In 2021 she was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema, but was awarded in 2023.
Meena Kumari was an Indian actress and poet, who worked in Hindi films. Popularly known as The Tragedy Queen, Kumari is regarded among the finest and greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema. In a career spanning 33 years, from child actress to adult, Kumari starred in over 90 films.
Dina Pathak was an Indian actress and director of Gujarati theatre and also a film actor. She was an activist and President of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW).
Neena Gupta is an Indian actress and television director who works in Hindi films and television along with few Malayalam films. She has received several awards including two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award and two Filmfare OTT Awards.
Geeta Bali was an Indian actress who worked in Hindi films. Bali is regarded among the finest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, Bali acted in over 75 films in a career spanning over two decades. She was twice nominated for Filmfare Awards.
Motilal Rajvansh was an Indian actor and the winner of Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Devdas (1955) and Parakh (1960). He is credited with being among Hindi cinema's first natural actors.
David Abraham Cheulkar, popularly known as David, was an Indian Hindi film actor. In a career spanning four decades, he played mostly character roles, starting with the 1941 film Naya Sansar, and went on to act in over 110 films, including memorable films such as Gol Maal (1979), Baton Baton Mein (1979) and Boot Polish (1954), for which he was awarded the 1955 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.
Padmini Kolhapure is an Indian actress and singer, who primarily works in Hindi and Marathi films. Kolhapure went onto established herself as one of the leading actress of the 80s. In a career spanning over four decades, she was worked in over 75 films and has received several accolades including three Filmfare Awards.
Raakhee Gulzar, professionally known as Raakhee, is an Indian actress who has appeared in Hindi and Bengali films. In her four decades of acting, she has worked in more than 100 films. Raakhee has won several awards including two National Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards. In 2003, she received Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.
Shashikala Saigal, better known by her first name, was an Indian film and television actress, who played supporting roles in hundreds of Bollywood films beginning in the 1940s.
Raat Aur Din is a 1967 Indian Hindi-language psychological film directed by Satyen Bose. The leading actress, Nargis, won the distinguished National Film Award for Best Actress for her role as Varuna, a married woman who has dissociative identity disorder. By day, she is a typical Hindu homemaker, whilst at night she calls herself Peggy and walks the streets of Calcutta. The film won critical acclaim for its story and Nargis' performance as Varuna. Over the years it has developed a cult following. This film marked Nargis' final film appearance.
Shyama was an Indian actress who appeared in Hindi films. She was active between 1945 and 1989, and is best known for her roles in Aar Paar and Barsaat Ki Raat.
Leela Mishra was an Indian actress. She worked as a character actor in over 200 Hindi films for five decades, and is best remembered for playing stock characters such as aunts. She is best known for her role of "mausi" in the blockbuster Sholay (1975), Dil Se Mile Dil (1978), Baton Baton Mein (1979), Rajesh Khanna films such as Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein, Aanchal, Mehbooba, Amar Prem and Rajshri Productions hits such as Geet Gaata Chal (1975), Nadiya Ke Paar (1982) and Abodh (1984). Her career's best performance was in Naani Maa in 1981, for which she received Best Actress award at the age of 73.
Laxmi Chhaya was an Indian actress, dancer and teacher, who was known for her distinctive character roles and appearances in Hindi films.
