If there’s a tale in Bollywood that is as old as time, it’s that newcomers (especially outsiders) face a lot of challenges to make it big in the industry. But this does not apply to everyone. Once in a while, there comes an exceptional star who breaks through like a storm and makes their own rules! These are the actors who change the game and today we are celebrating six of them. Here’s our round-up of Bollywood game changers who’ve set themselves apart and re-directed the course of Indian cinema. Take a look:
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Let’s get one thing straight—no one does it better than Nawaz. Having a string of stellar performances and accolades attached to his name, the man has made it into the industry and how! But did you know that this brilliant actor started off as a vegetable vendor and a watchman? Well, hard to tell given everyhting has been over-shadowed by his larger-than-life performances in both cinema and OTT. From playing a short-tempered investigating officer in Kahaani to wowing the audience with his portrayal of Ganesh, a notorious gangster in Sacred Games, he has wowed us every time he graced the screen.
Radhika Apte
While the Internet may have trolled Radhika for her constant association with Netflix, how can anyone forget her brilliance in each one of these performances? The actress has a reputation for playing all her roles to perfection and has forayed into several genres including, crime thriller, comedy, drama, and more. Confident in her art, Radhika has not shied away from featuring in independent and short films either and her impressive body of work speaks for itself.
Taapsee Pannu
There’s a long-standing myth in Bollywood that women-led films don’t do well at the box office. And if there’s one B-town actress who has been constantly proving this statement wrong, it’s Taapsee. The actress has carried several movies on her able shoulders including the likes of Thappad and Badla. And Taapsee is doing it again in her recently released flick, Shabaash Mithu. The reviews are rave and we have been eagerly waiting for the weekend to catch up on this one.
Ayushmann Khurrana
Ayushmann has often been given the tag of an all-rounder and boy, does he deserve it. Besides looking absolutely gorg, the talented lad can also write, act, sing, and dance! Already a member of the 100-crore club with hatke films like AndhaDhun and Badhai Ho, the actor has proven that he is here to stay and reinvent the game.
Rajkummar Rao
You didn’t think we’d talk about breakthrough newcomers without talking about Rajkummar Rao, did you? From playing a love-struck simpleton in Stree to portraying the character of a don in Ludo, this man has done it all. Not only is the talented and versatile actor an inspiration to a new generation of newcomers but he has also encouraged many to take the less-travelled path of experimental cinema. In the past half a decade, he has created a niche for himself in the film industry and is now recognised as an actor who can infuse life in all types of roles.
Jitendra Kumar
Who didn’t fall for Jitendra and his impeccable performance as Aman Tripathi in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan? The actor aptly portrayed the hardships of the LGBTQIA+ community and the struggles most of them face after coming out of the closet. We love him for his unconventional projects that have an undeniable appeal to all of us. From his OTT show, Panchayat to the recently released Netflix film, Jaadugar, Jeetu just knows how to win hearts simply by being himself.
Well, we hope to see more of these actors and their talent in the coming years. And wish them nothing but the best of luck!
Featured Image: Instagram
