Top Ten Greatest Bollywood Actors of All Time

Bollywood actors are very much popular not only in India, but also they are sharing same amount of popularity outside their boundaries too. They are treated like demi-gods by their admiring fans.

Bollywood actors are no way less favourite than Hollywood actors. Because of the increasing popularity of Hindi films, they are now widely recognized in Western countries too.

Another important thing that has made Indian actors much popular is that Indian films are male-oriented. They play the most important role.

Here, I have made a list of top 10 Bollywood actors of all time. When making this list, I gave importance on their performance, popularity, power, success, acting skill etc. Some of you may not like the list because of the exclusion of your favorite actors. In that case, I have noting to say except “sorry”.

Dilip Kumar:

Dilip Kumar will always dominate the list of “Top 10 Bollywood Actors of All Time” for his performance in the Indian cinema. There is hardly anyone to get who can successfully replace him on the top position.

Dilip Kumar is known as the acting King of Hindi Cinema. He is also considered as the best actor to have performed on silver screen. For his performance, he is also considered to be one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema. He was not only an actor but also a former Member of Parliament.

His entrance into the Bollywood film industry could not be much easier without the help of actress, Devika Rani, the wife of the founder of the Bombay Talkies film studio, Himanshu Rai.

He was given the screen name, Dilip Kumar, by Hindi Author Bhagwati Charan Varma and was selected in the male lead role of his film, Jwar Bhata (1944). It was the beginning of his acting career. However, he failed to establish himself as an actor with his first film.

His first commercially successful movie was Jugnu (1947). After that he appeared in a number of hit films, such as- Andaz, Deedar (1951), Amar (1954), Devdas (1955) and Madhumati (1958). With these films, he got fame as the "Tragedy King".

He appeared in different types of characteristics. Fans will find him performing in romantic character in Andaz and Aan (1952), in a dramatic character in Devdas (1955), in comical in Azaad (1955), in historical in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and the social in Ganga Jamuna (1961).

For his performance in Daag, he was awarded Filmfare Award for Best Actor category and became the first actor to win this award. With another Bollywood actor, Shahrukh Khan, he shares the record of holding most number of Filmfare Best Actor Awards title. He won this prestigious award 8 times.

For his contribution towards Indian cinema, he was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1991 and he was given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994. Since making his debut in the Indian film industry, he has spent five decades and acted in more than 60 films.

Raj Kapoor:

Raj Kapoor came from a famous film family. His father, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, was a well-known actor and pioneer in Hindi Cinema.

Raj Kapoor was blessed with versatility. He was not only an actor but also a director and producer of Hindi Cinema. He is considered to be a master in both acting and directorial fields. He was given the title as “show man” of Bollywood cinemas for his filmmaking skills.

This one of the legend actors started his acting career at the age of twelve in the 1935 film Inquilab. His first big break through came after twelve years when he was selected for the lead role in Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala. With this film, Madhubala also made her debut as an adult.

Besides acting, he was actively involved in producing and directing films. When he established his own studio, R. K. Films, he was just twenty-four year old. His first directorial film was Aag. Making his directorial debut with the film, he became the youngest film director of his time. In this film, he starred opposite Nargis.

His first major success came in n Mehboob Khan's blockbuster Andaz where his co-stars were Dilip Kumar and Nargis.

He continued his working as a producer, director and actor and gave some box office hit films, such as - Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Chori Chori (1956), Jagte Raho (1956) and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960). Because of his popularity in these films, he gained his screen image as The Tramp, which is Charlie Chaplin's most famous screen persona. He was also called charlie chaplin of Indian cinema by film historians and movie lovers. Raj Kapoor produced, directed and starred Sangam was the first color film. It was released in 1964.

Besides acting in his own productions, he was appeared in a number of successful films- Anari (1959), Chhalia (1960) and Teesri Kasam (1963).

Though he died long times ago, he is still remembered for his film making style and acting skills in the recent time too.

During his career, he won nine Filmfare Awards. The Indian government also gave him the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and because of his contribution towards Indian cinema he was also given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987.

Amitabh Bachchan:

Though he is almost seventy-year-old, Amitabh Bachchan is still considered to be one of the most popular actors in Indian cinema. He is also acknowledged as the legendary actor in Bollywood. To his fans he is also known as Big B.

He was born to Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a well-known Hindi poet, and Teji Bachchan, a social activist. His initial name was Inquilaab which was taken from the famous phrase Inquilab Zindabad. However, his name was changed to Amitabh suggested by poet Sumitranandan Pant. Amitabh means “the light that would never go off”. He was the eldest of Harivansh Rai Bachchan's two sons.

As a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen's National Award winning film Bhuvan Shome, he made his entrance into the Indian cinema in 1969. He made his debut as an actor with the film, Saat Hindustani, directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. He played the role of one of the seven male lead roles in this film. The film was not commercially successful but it helped him to get his first National Film Award for Best Newcomer.

He did not get popularity as an actor until the release of Zanjeer in 1973. With this film, he created an “angry young man” image of Hindi cinema. In his film, he starred opposite his future wife, Jaya Bhaduri. It was a box office hit and brought a big breakthrough in his career.

Some of his blockbuster hit films are- Sholay, Silsila, Chupke Chupke, Abhiman, Natwarlal, Lawaris, Namak Haram etc. During his career, he has won fourteen Filmfare Awards along with four National Film Awards. With 36 nominations overall, he has also become the most nominated performer in any major acting category.

Besides acting, he also made his debut as a playback singer. He was also given the Filmfare Best Male Playback Awards for the film Mr. Natwarlal. He was also film producer and television presenter.

In 2000, he started his career as host with a game show Kaun Banega Crorepat, which is the Hindi version of the British television game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. He was also the host of the third season of the reality show Bigg Boss in 2009.

His career was full of ups and downs, but because of his courageous behavior he could come out of all problems and gained huge popularity.

However, this great actor will always be remembered for his unique dancing skill and salient dialog speaking style.

Rajesh Khanna:

Rajesh Khanna is regarded as one of the most handsome and powerful actors in the history of Indian cinema. This legend actor is also referred to as the “First Superstar” of Indian cinema.

He was the most popular actor during his times. He had huge fan following, including crazy female fans. He was heartthrob to his female fans. His female fans were as crazy as they married themselves to photographs of Rajesh Khanna. It is said that he received letters from his female fans written in their blood.

H was not only one of the most successful actors in the Indian film industry but also one of the most prominent figures in the history of Indian cinema.

He was selected as one of the eight finalists from more than ten thousand contestants in the 1965 All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare. He won the contest.

He made his debut as an actor with Aakhri Khat in 1996. But his popularity as an actor came with Ravindra Dave's film, “Raaz” in 1967. After that he didn’t have to look back. During his career, he appeared in more than 160 films. In most of his films, he acted as a solo hero.

Some of his most popular films are- Sachcha Jhutha, Aanand, Avishkar, Aradhana, Ittefaq, Kati Patang, Amar Prem.

He was given Filmfare Best Actor Awards three times and was nominated fourteen times for the same category. He also won BFJA Awards for Best Actor (Hindi) four times and was nominated 27 times for the same category. In 2005, he was given the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.

Besides acting, he was also playback singer and film producer. In 1985, he turned himself as a producer with the film Alag Alag. He also gained huge popularity as a playback singer. He caught the attention as a playback singer in a 967 Hindi movie Baharon Ke Sapne. After that he lent his voice in many of his films.

He married to actress Dimple Kapadia and they have two daughters- Twinkle Khanna, the wife of actor Akshay Kumar, and Rinke Khanna.

Dharmendra:

The list of “Top 10 Bollywood Actors of All Time” is not complete without the name of Dharmendra. He is well known to his fans for his handsome look. That is why, he is regarded as one of the handsome actors in Bollywood.

The evergreen actor is mentioned in many different names in Bollywood. He is known as 'Garam' Dharam (hot Dharam). He was also called he-man of Hindi cinema.

Dharmendra shared equal success in both action and romantic films. He was one of the top actors of his time and still active in cinema till date.

This handsome Punjabi actor started his career with Arjun Hingorani's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960), but he rose to prominence as a solo hero with Phool Aur Patthar (1966). Because of his performance in this film, he was nominated first time for Filmfare Best Actor Award.

He got the opportunity to work with several leading actresses at the beginning of his career. He was at the pick of his career in the 1970s and 80s. During this period, he gave many hit films, such as- Pratigya, Dharam Veer, Charas, Azaad, Katilon Ke Kaatil, Ghazab, Bhagavat, Dharam Aur Kanoon, Hukumat, Raaj Tilak, Watan Ke Rakhwale, Aag Hi Aag, Ghulami, Hathyar and Loha.

Despite being one of the most successful actors in Indian cinema, he did not get any Filmfare Award for any major category. However, in 1997, he received Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award from Dilip Kumar and his wife Saira Banu.

Dharmendra married twice; first he got married with Prakash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954, while his second wife was actress, Hema Malini. It is heard that he was converted into Muslim for his second marriage.

He has two sons- Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta, from his first marriage. He and his second wife, Hema Malini, gave birth to two daughters- Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.

Dev Anand:

The juvenile actor in the Indian cinema will always be remembered for his style of delivering dialogue quickly and fondness of shaking head while speaking. It became Dev’s trademark in Hindi cinema.

With a salary of Rs. 160, Dev Anand started his career in the military censor office at Churchgate, Mumbai. His first film as an actor was Hum Ek Hain (1946), which was offered by Prabhat Talkies. It did not bring anything any success for him.

Shaheed Latif directed and Bombay Talkies produced, Ziddi, in 1948 helped him to get his first success. In this film, he starred opposite Kamini Kaushal. He also made a very good friendship with legendary actor Guru Dutt. Since making his debut as an adult, he has spanned more than five decades and acted in more in over 110 movies. During his career, he appeared different type of characteristics.

Some of his well known films are- Munimji, C.I.D., Paying Guest and Baazi. His first color film was Guide starring opposite Waheeda Rehman. The story of the film was based on the novel of the same name written by R. K. Narayan.

In 1949, he made his debut as a producer and launched his own company, Navketan. His company produced many hit films and is still producing movies even today.

Because of his contribution towards Indian cinema, Indian government gave him Padma Bhushan award in 2001 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002. He won two Filmfare Best Actor Awards for Kalapani (1958) and Guide (1966). He also received Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991.

Besides acting and producing, he was actively involved into politics. He formed a party which was called the National Party of India, but later he broke up the party.

He married to Kalpana Kartik in 1954 and they gave birth to a son, Suneil Anand in 1956. However, he was reported for being romantically involved with singer-actress Suraiya. Suraiya did not marry all her life because of her grandmother’s refuse to accept their relation.

Rishi Kapoor:

Rishi Kapoor is considered to be one of the most handsome and good looking actors in Indian cinema. He was born into a famous Kapoor family. He started acting in the films from a very young age. His first film was Mera Naam Joker in 1970. In this film, he played the role of his father’s childhood.

He made his debut as an adult in the 1973 film Bobby opposite Dimple Kapadia. It became box office hit helped him to get fame as an actor. Since then, he continued his career as a leading actor romancing with young girls till 2000.

After that, he was found doing supporting roles and is still continuing his career. He did supporting roles in Hum Tum (2004) and Fanaa (2006).

He made his debut as a director in 1998 with the film Aa Ab Laut Chalen where Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna, Kader Khan, Paresh Rawal and Jaspal Bhatti starred for important characters.

Rishi Kapoor married to Neetu Singh and they have two children- Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. Ranbir Kapoor is now a popular actor while Riddhima Kapoor is a fashion designer.

Aamir Khan:

The perfectionist of Bollywood, Aamir Khan, is one of the most popular and successful actors today. He is also regarded as one of the most powerful actors too. He was quoted as the typical “chocolate hero” for his look, but he proved himself as a teen idol.

Uncle Nasir Hussain directed, Yadon Ki Baraat, was his first film. In this film, he acted as a child artist. He appeared in the title song of the film. Eleven years later since his acting debut, he got his first opportunity to act as an adult in Ketan Mehta's Holi (1984). It failed to make profit in the box office as well as Aamir Khan also failed to establish himself as an actor too.

His first commercial success came in 1988 with the film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. His cousin and Nasir Hussain's son, Mansoor Khan, directed this film. After that, he has appeared in a number of blockbuster and critically acclaimed films.

Aamir Khan has become the synonym of success. It is hard to hear that Aamir Khan’s films get flopped. His inclusion in the film works like magic. He has given many hit films, but he will be remembered for his films- Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Raja Hindustani, Andaz Apna Apna, Sarfarosh, Ghulam, Ghajini, Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots and many more.

He was also producer and director. His first directorial film was Taare Zameen Par.

He first got married with Reena Dutta in 1986. They have two children- a son, Junaid, and a daughter, Ira. He got separated with his first wife in 2002, ending the 15-year marriage. He got married with Kiran Rao on 28 December 2005.

Salman Khan:

The bad boy of Bollywood, Salman Khan, has many things in him that have made him one of the top ten actors of all time. He is the son of a famous screenwriter, Salim Khan, and his first wife Salma.

Despite being the son of a famous father, he had to struggle hard to get fame and popularity in the Indian film industry. Even, he did not use his father’s name for his success.

Making his appearance in a supporting role in the film Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988), he started his career as an actor. With the film Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), he made his adult debut. It was his first commercial success. It also helped him to win a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. For his appearance in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, he got Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Since making his debut, he has spanned more than two decades and has acted in more than eighty Hindi films as a leading actor. Some of his well known films are- Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Karan Arjun, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Tere Naam, Wanted, Dabangg, and Ready.

Salman Khan has a huge fan following in India. He was followed by youngsters for many years for his muscular body as well as his acting skill. He has been featured many times for his love relationships with many actresses. He is considered as one of the most wanted bachelors at the age of 45. He is also regarded as one of the most glamorous actors of his contemporaries.

To his fans, it is a big question that when he will get married.

Shahrukh Khan:

Shahrukh Khan is regarded as one of the most influential actors in Bollywood. He has been leading Bollywood without any backing from God fathers. He is also the first Indian actor who made his entrance into the Hindi film industry after marriage. He is often quoted as "The King of Bollywood". To his fans, he is also known as King Khan.

Before making his debut on a silver screen, he appeared in several television serials. He made his debut as a lead actor in Deewana (1992). In this film, his stars alongside Rishi Kapoor and Divya Bharti. The name of his character was Raja. After the success of his debut film, Shahrukh Khan did not have to look back.

So far, he has acted in over 70 Hindi films. Some of his most successful films are- Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Chak De India (2007), Om Shanti Om (2007) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). With his science-fiction movie, Ra.One, that is scheduled to release on October 26, 2011, he will appear as a superhero.

Shahrukh Khan has won 14 Filmfare Awards, including eight Filmfare Awards for Best Actor category. For his contribution towards Indian cinema, he received Padma Shri by the government of India in 2005.