In the dynamic world of Bollywood, the spotlight often falls on star kids, ushered into the limelight due to their lineage rather than their acting prowess. However, there exists a treasure trove of exceptional talent within the industry that deserves recognition and a platform to shine.
In this exploration, we divert our attention from mediocre star kids to turn the spotlight onto these incredible actors who have demonstrated their remarkable skills and captivated audiences with their performances. It’s time for Bollywood to recognize and invest in these gifted individuals, nurturing their talent to bring a new era of cinematic brilliance to the industry.
1. Kay Kay Menon
We don’t see enough of Kay Kay Menon on screen these days. And, it is no less than a tragedy. Even after his stellar performance in movies like Black Friday, Sarkar, and Haider, it is disappointing that we don’t get to watch him in movies. Even though he’s been doing web series, without him in the movies, we feel a void and it needs to be filled by his exceptional talent.
2. Shefali Shah
Shefali Shah possesses an exceptional range of acting skills that often go unnoticed in the glitzy world of Bollywood. Despite consistently delivering powerful and nuanced performances in both films and television, she remains somewhat underrated. What sets Shefali apart is her ability to breathe life into her characters, making them relatable and emotionally resonant.
Her role in the web series “Delhi Crime” not only showcased her acting prowess but also earned her international acclaim as she has been nominated for the prestigious Emmy Award. Shefali is a prime example of an actor who deserves more recognition and awards for her incredible talent, which has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the world of Indian cinema.
3. Randeep Hooda
How Randeep Hooda loses himself in his characters is just a testament to his talent. It’s sad how his hard work has mostly gone unnoticed. How he has done justice to every single role that he has played, shows why he deserves more films with strong storylines to make his talent shine.
4. Radhika Apte
No one can doubt Radhika Apte’s talent! Even though she has showcased her talent through powerful performances, we still feel that Bollywood hasn’t done justice to her. Even though she has done many web series, we definitely feel that Bollywood should recognize her exceptional talent and cast her in impactful roles. Because she definitely deserves it!
5. Vikrant Massey
It was in 2004 when we got a slight glimpse of Massey’s talent in a show called Kahan Hoon Main. The rest they say is history. His acting in Konkana Sen Sharma’s directorial debut A Death In The Gunj is to go by, he is a force to reckon with. Even though we have seen him in Chappak and Haseen Dillruba, we are greedy to see him in more movies.
7. Pankaj Tripathi
Pankaj Tripathi is a powerhouse of talent in the Indian film industry, known for his extraordinary ability to bring depth to his characters. Whether it’s the gritty portrayal of a gangster in “Gangs of Wasseypur”, the understated yet impactful role in “Newton,” or the progressive caring father in “OMG 2”, Pankaj consistently leaves a mark with his performances.
His work in the web series “Mirzapur” further solidified his reputation as a versatile actor. Despite his undeniable talent and the critical acclaim he has received, Pankaj remains somewhat underrated in mainstream Bollywood. His ability to convey complex emotions with depth is a testament to his acting prowess, and it’s high time Bollywood gives him better opportunities!
8. Jimmy Shergill
One of the most underrated actors in Bollywood is Jimmy Shergill. He has effortlessly conquered Punjabi cinema and can be a raging hit in Bollywood too. His initial performances might have not made the right impact because of poorly written characters, but he is absolutely terrific when provided with a strong storyline. That’s exactly why we wish to see more of him in Bollywood films.
9. Radhika Madan
Radhika Madan has successfully transitioned from television to the big screen. She came a long way from her 2014 daily soap Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi to her appearance on Angrezi Medium with Irrfan Khan. We want to see more of her in Bollywood!
10. Abhay Deol
If you look at the years between 2007-2009, Abhay Deol starred in many memorable films. Though they may not have been formula-based money-making movies, they had their unique storylines. Fast-track to now, there has been a long absence from films, and it’s high time the audiences witness the craft of this great actor.
11. Tillotama Shome
Tillotama Shome has won hearts and awards for her talent, but in Hindi cinemas, we don’t see her as often as we want. She won the Best Actress Award for her film Raahgir at the South Asian Film Festival. She made special appearances in Monsoon Wedding, Chintu Cabas Day, Hindi Medium, and English Medium. Her recent OTT releases ‘Is Love Enough? Sir’ and, Konkana Sen Sharma’s Lust Stories 2 are definitely a great reminder of her acting prowess.
12. Jim Sarbh
Jim Sarbh, with his unconventional roles and distinctive acting style, has carved a niche for himself in Indian cinema. From a menacing terrorist in “Neerja” to portraying Dr Homi Bhabha in “The Rocket Boys,” is a testament to his incredible versatility.
For his talented performance in The Rocket Boys, he even won the prestigious Emmy Nominations. Yet, he remains an underrated gem in the Indian acting landscape. Jim’s willingness to take on challenging and unconventional roles makes him a talent worth watching, and he certainly deserves more. Bollywood, are you listening?
13. Konkona Sen Sharma
Despite Konkana Sen Sharma’s good performances in movies like Lipstick Under My Burkha, Luck by Chance, and Wake Up Sid, we don’t see her on the big screen very often. She recently surprised audiences with her outstanding performance in Ajeeb Daastaans.
14. Rahul Bose
While we have recently seen Rahul Bose in Netflix’s horror fantasy film Bulbbul and Eternally Confused And Eager For Love, it’s a shame that after terrific work in films like Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Chameli, and Shaurya, we barely get to see him on the big screen.
15. Nimrat Kaur
Nimrat Kaur is greatly underestimated. After receiving critical acclaim at Ritesh Batra’s Lunchbox, we wanted to see her in Bollywood. Nimrat’s role in Raja Krishna Menon’s Airlift alongside Akshay Kumar is also commendable.
16. Sanjay Mishra
Sanjay Mishra became a household name when he did his Apple Singh routine during the ’99 Cricket World Cup in England. He’s been around doing his bit in Rohit Shetty films and Rajat Kapoor films. He finally got the long-awaited role of a protagonist in last year’s Ankhon Dekhi. But, we are greedy to see him in more movies. Do you know Sanjay Mishra once left Bollywood to work at Dhaba for 150 Rs?
17. Kalki
Kalki is unquestionably an outlier in the industry. She has made an unforgettable impression with her roles in Gully Boy, Shaitaan, Margarita with a Straw, and Netflix’s Sacred Games. We can’t seem to get enough of her in various roles.
18. Pavan Malhotra
After graduating from Delhi University, actor Pavan Malhotra jumped into the theatre scene before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in film and TV. No wonder the role of Tiger Memon was played to perfection in Black Friday. Even though he has played critical roles in OTT, we would like to see more of him in mainstream cinema.
Do let us know about your favorite actor, whom you want to see more in mainstream cinema!
