Indian cinema offers a rich tapestry of diverse performers who must be equally skilled at acting as they are at performing intricate physical feats. From choreographed dance numbers to stylish action sequences, Bollywood’s passion for the theatrical has formed some of the most complete actors of our time. On this list, we’ll go over ten of Bollywood’s most renowned actors: those who achieved the perfect balance between acting chops and killer dance moves.
10. Akshay Kumar
One of Bollywood’s busiest celebrities, Kumar effortlessly transitions from social crusader to renowned actor, just as easily as he handles both action roles and comedic performances.
9. Irrfan Khan
A master of subtlety and nuanced performances who reached an international audience with movies like Life of Pi and Jurassic World. Sadly, the world lost Khan too early in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of Hollywood and Bollywood hits.
8. Ranbir Kapoor
A fresh face with an impeccable acting legacy, Ranbir is part of the fourth generation of the Kapoor family. He recently made a comeback with Brahmāstra, establishing him as a box office magnet.
7. Hrithik Roshan
Roshan’s stunning eyes and impeccable acting chops are the stuff of legends in Bollywood. Roshan goes beyond action flicks, stunning fans with dance moves that landed him a role as the main judge in 2011’s Just Dance.
6. Rajesh Khanna
Widely regarded as Bollywood’s first superstar, Khanna debuted in 1966’s Aakhri Khat, the movie that brought India’s cinema into the international spotlight.
5. Dilip Kumar
Whether you know him as the “Tragedy King” or the “Emperor of Acting”, Dilip Kumar’s role in shaping Bollywood’s history is undeniable. Kumar’s near-century-long career established India’s entertainment industry as a whole.
4. Salman Khan
Truly “legendary” on all fronts, Salman Khan’s larger-than-life persona and massive following turn him into one of the most beloved stars in all of Bollywood. 2015’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan moved Khan to a more humanitarian role while keeping his signature acting style.
3. Aamir Khan
“Mr. Perfectionist” is well-known among Bollywood fans for his profound commitment to every project under his name. As both an actor and a producer, Khan puts his all into every one of his films, and it shows. Though his career has faced some controversy, die-hard Bollywood fans remember Khan for Sarfarosh and Lagaan, and not for his clashes with the media.
2. Shah Rukh Khan
There are few actors as iconic as Shah Rukh Khan, in Bollywood or elsewhere. With a career spanning more than three decades of legendary romantic roles, “SRK” has been Bollywood’s top heartthrob for longer than some of his fans have been alive. My Name is Khan proved that SRK’s appeal goes far beyond India’s borders.
1. Amitabh Bachchan
Much like Marlon Brando in America, Amitabh Bachchan, the “Shahenshah”, brought the young and rebellious energy to India’s cinemas in the 1970s. Forever immortalized by his role in 1988’s Shahenshah, Bachchan’s Midas touch has made him one of Bollywood’s most profitable actors.
RELATED: 10 Best Actors Under 30
