From Shah Rukh Khan To Deepika Padukone, Outsiders Who Made It Big In Bollywood
From Shah Rukh Khan to Deepika Padukone and Akshay Kumar, a list of actors who made space for themselves in Bollywood with their craft, hard work and passion.
As one of the world's largest film industries, Bollywood captivates audiences globally with its unique blend of music, drama, and spectacle. From epic love stories to pulse-pounding action thrillers and family dramas, Bollywood offers a diverse array of genres that cater to every taste. What sets Bollywood apart from other film industries is its ability to evoke a myriad of emotions – from laughter to tears, from joy to heartbreak – in a single viewing experience. Packed with vibrant colours, huge sets, infectious music, killer dance numbers, and unforgettable performances, Bollywood films transport audiences to a different world altogether.
But Bollywood is more than just entertainment. It is also a reflection of our society, addressing pressing issues and sparking important conversations by making socially relevant films. Through its powerful storytelling, Bollywood has the ability to inspire, provoke, and unite audiences from all walks of life.
Whether it's the timeless charm of legendary actors or the innovative storytelling of emerging talents, each film offers a unique experience that resonates with audiences across generations. It's a celebration of life itself, portrayed through captivating performances by some of the most talented actors in the world.
In Bollywood, where lineage often reigns supreme, we have also witnessed the rise of outsiders. These celebrities, uninitiated to the inner circles of privilege, have navigated many obstacles to carve their mark on the silver screen. From humble beginnings to commanding the attention of millions, their journeys inspire a generation, showing that dreams know no boundaries.
Sometimes their stardom comes after countless auditions, rejection slips, and moments of self-doubt. Yet, through the trials and tribulations, they emerge as beacons of hope, inspiring countless others to pursue their dreams with passion.
Their success stories are not just about individual triumphs. They are a celebration of diversity and inclusion, a reminder that the essence of Bollywood lies not in lineage, but in talent that eventually wins.
As Bollywood continues to evolve, embracing fresh talent and diverse narratives, the stories of these outsiders serve as a reminder that determination and talent will always find a way to shine.
Let’s take a look at some actors who made an impact with their craft, hard work, and passion in Bollywood despite being outsiders.
Without further ado, check out the list here:
1. Shah Rukh Khan: SRK is easily the best gift that Bollywood has given all of us. Shah Rukh Khan, who hails from Delhi, is often fondly referred to as ‘King Khan’ and the ‘Badshah of Bollywood’ by his fans. He rose to fame in the early 1990s and has since become a superstar. SRK, equally famous for his off-screen persona, began his acting journey with hit television shows like ‘Fauji’ and ‘Cirkus’. King Khan marked his Bollywood debut with the 1992 film ‘Deewana’. Even before he made his Bollywood debut with the 1992 film ‘Deewana’, SRK starred in this English-language film produced by Doordarshan. The Pradip Krishen directorial was written by Arundhati Roy, who also starred as the film’s female lead Radha. Shah Rukh had a brief role in the film, playing a gay, effeminate senior. Throughout his career, Shah Rukh Khan has delivered numerous unforgettable performances in movies, including ‘Baazigar’, ‘Darr’, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Chak De India’, ‘My Name Is Khan’, and most recently ‘Jawan’, which became the highest grossing Hindi film all of time.
2. Akshay Kumar: We all know that Akshay Kumar used to be a chef and waiter in a hotel in Thailand. After moving to India, he changed his name from Rajiv Bhatia to Akshay Kumar. There is an interesting story behind his name change. For the unversed, Akshay Kumar made his Bollywood debut with a 10-second cameo in a Mahesh Bhatt directorial titled ‘Aaj’, wherein he played a Martial Arts instructor by the name Akshay. The actor decided to be known to the world as Akshay Kumar and adapted it as his screen name. Akshay Kumar, often called ‘The Khiladi Kumar’ of Bollywood, has showcased his talent across various genres, from action-packed blockbusters to socially relevant dramas and comedies. He gained widespread recognition with the 1992 film ‘Khiladi’. He has starred in a string of successful films like ‘Mohra’, ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’, ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Namastey London’, ‘Pad Man’, ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, ‘Good Newwz’, ‘Kesari’, ‘Airlift’, and most recently ‘OMG 2’.
3. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: The Bollywood actress, hailing from a non-filmy background, is fondly referred to as ‘Desi Girl’ by her fans. From winning the Miss World pageant at the age of 18 in 2000 to making a mark with her performance in ‘Andaaz’, she achieved unparalleled success in the world of showbiz. Known for her versatility, Priyanka Chopra Jonas delivered several memorable movies like ‘Fashion’, ‘Barfi’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’, ‘Agneepath’, ‘7 Khoon Maaf’, ‘Mary Kom’ and more. In addition to her acting career, Priyanka Chopra ventured into music with singles like ‘In My City’ and ‘Exotic’. She also made her Hollywood debut in the TV series ‘Quantico’. PeeCee, who was last seen in the 2023 Amazon Prime Video series ‘Citadel’ and the 2023 romantic comedy ‘Love Again’, also remains in the limelight for her interviews, public appearances and stunning fashion sense. Apart from being a globally recognised actress and singer, Priyanka Chopra is also a film producer and philanthropist. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and actively advocates for various causes, including children's rights, education, and gender equality.
4. Deepika Padukone: Fondly called the ‘Queen of hearts’, Deepika Padukone began her career as a model and soon transitioned into acting. She made her acting debut in the 2006 Kannada film ‘Aishwarya’ but gained recognition with her Bollywood debut in the 2007 film ‘Om Shanti Om’, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan. Throughout her career, Deepika Padukone has delivered notable performances in films such as ‘Love Aaj Kal’, ‘Cocktail’, ‘Piku’, ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and ‘Padmaavat’. In addition to her success in Bollywood, Deepika Padukone also ventured into Hollywood with her role in the action film ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ alongside Vin Diesel. Beyond her acting career, Deepika Padukone is known for her advocacy of mental health awareness. She has openly discussed her struggles with depression and has founded ‘The Live Love Laugh Foundation’ to provide support and raise awareness about mental health issues.
5. Kangana Ranaut: The Bollywood diva pursued acting against her father’s wishes and established herself as a star, inspiring millions to follow their dreams with hard work and dedication. She left home when she was just 16 and landed in Delhi, where she enrolled at Elite Modelling Agency. After some time, the agency sent her to Mumbai for an advertisement audition. An agent then took her to Bhatt's office for a role in ‘Gangster’ for which she was first rejected and later taken in by Anurag Basu. Known for her impeccable performances and outspoken personality, she portrayed a wide range of characters in films such as ‘Fashion’, ‘Queen’, ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ franchise, ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi’ and ‘Panga’. Apart from her acting talent, Kangana Ranaut is known for her bold and candid statements on various social and political issues. She has also been vocal about issues like nepotism, favouritism, and the importance of outsiders in Bollywood, sparking debates and discussions within the industry.
6. Kartik Aaryan: The chocolate boy of Bollywood, hailing from Gwalior, has come a long way in his acting journey. He made his big screen debut in a small film ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ in 2011. While the multi-starrer became popular among the youth, Kartik Aaryan struggled for years before touching newer heights of stardom. The Bollywood actor has been open about his struggles while previously revealing that he lived with 12 other aspiring actors in an apartment before his debut. The Bollywood heartthrob’s 2018 movie, ‘Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety’, emerged as his breakthrough film, following which there has been no looking back. He later went on to deliver hits like ‘Luka Chuppi’, ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’, and ‘SatyaPrem Ki Katha’. Known for his boy-next-door charm and comic timing, he has also showcased his acting range with OTT movies like ‘Dhamaka’ and ‘Freddy’.
7. Ayushmann Khurranna: Poster boy of unconventional films, Ayushmann Khurrana had B-town and the viewers talking with his debut ‘Vicky Donor’, in which he starred as a sperm donor. Since then, he has become the reigning star of films that explore social issues with a humorous touch. Over the years, Ayushmann Khurrana has delivered brilliant performances in films like ‘Badhaai Ho’, ‘Bala’, ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’, ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ and ‘AndhaDhun’. Apart from his acting prowess, Ayushmann Khurrana is also an accomplished singer. He has lent his voice to several songs in his films, including hits like ‘Paani Da Rang’ and ‘Nazm Nazm’. But his road to success wasn’t an easy one. Born in Chandigarh, Ayushmann Khurrana initially pursued a career in journalism before venturing into the entertainment industry. He gained recognition for his stint on the reality show ‘MTV Roadies’ and later became a television host.
8. Sushant Singh Rajput: The late Indian actor was known for his remarkable performances in both television and film. Hailing from Patna, SSR initially pursued a career in engineering before discovering his passion for acting. He became a household name after his role as Manav in the popular television series ‘Pavitra Rishta’, which aired for several years. In 2013, Sushant Singh Rajput made his Bollywood debut with the film ‘Kai Po Che’. In a short-lived Bollywood career, Sushant Singh Rajput went on to deliver several noteworthy performances in films such as ‘Shuddh Desi Romance’, ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy’ and ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’, ‘Kedarnath’, and ‘Chhichhore’. However, Sushant Singh Rajput passed away on June 14, 2020, at the age of 34. But his legacy lives on through his impactful performances.
9. Kriti Sanon: An engineering graduate from Noida, Kriti Sanon began her career as a model before making her acting debut in the Telugu film ‘1: Nenokkadine’ in 2014. However, she rose to fame with her Bollywood debut with Tiger Shroff in the 2014 Hindi film ‘Heropanti’. Her performance in the film earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She followed this success with notable roles in films like ‘Dilwale’, ‘Raabta’, ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’, and ‘Luka Chuppi’. Her breakthrough role came with the 2021 film ‘Mimi’, for which she also won the Best Actress award at the 69th National Film Awards. In addition to her acting career, Kriti Sanon is also known for her stunning fashion sense. She has established herself as a style icon in the Indian entertainment industry.
10. Anushka Sharma: She began her career as a model before transitioning to acting. Anushka Sharma made her acting debut in the 2008 romantic drama ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, opposite Shah Rukh Khan, which garnered her widespread recognition and earned her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress. Since then, Anushka Sharma has delivered numerous memorable performances in films such as ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’, ‘PK’, ‘Sultan’, and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’. In addition to her acting career, Anushka Sharma has ventured into film production with her company, Clean Slate Filmz, which she co-founded with her brother, Karnesh Sharma. Under Clean Slate Filmz, she has produced successful films such as ‘NH10’, ‘Phillauri’, and ‘Pari’, in which she also starred. She also turned producer for ‘Paatal Lok’ and ‘Bulbbul’.
P.S.: There are several other outsiders like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Rajkummar Rao, Taapsee Pannu, Vidya Balan, Sidharth Malhotra, and the late Irrfan Khan, who made it big in Bollywood.
