Bollywood has been blamed for its disregard for talent. There are so many brilliant actors, who are powerhouses of talent. But, sadly, Bollywood has failed to do justice to their true potential. Doesn’t matter if they are in lead roles or supporting, these talented actors have managed to steal the hearts of their audience. Despite their terrific performances, they remain sidelined in Bollywood for quite some time now. These actors, even after being so talented, hardly saw the fame they rightfully deserved.
1. Abhay Deol
Even after the great movies like Socha Na Tha, ZNMD, and Dev D, it is sad how we don’t see Abhay Deol often on the big screen. Abhay Deol has been quite open about being sidelined by Bollywood on multiple occasions. In one of his interviews, he also revealed his displeasure about himself and Farhan Akhtar being demoted as supporting actors for ZNMD instead of being called leads at various film awards. At the same time, Hrithik and Katrina were nominated for the ‘lead roles’.
“Abhay Deol had taken to his Instagram handle to express his displeasure about him and Farhan Akhtar being demoted as supporting actors for ZNMD instead of being called leads at various film awards. While Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif were nominated in the lead role categories. So by the industry’s own logic, this was a film about a man and a woman falling in love, with the man supported by his friends for whatever decisions he takes. There are many covert and overt ways in which people in the industry lobby against you. In this case, it was shamelessly overt. I of course boycotted the awards but Farhan was ok with it”.
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2. Yami Gautam
Yami Gautam is one talented actress who has been vocal about her struggle in Bollywood to find good work. In one of the interviews, Yami Gautam even spoke about the time when she was ready to quit the movie business and start farming because of a lack of good opportunities.
In her interview, she said, “This city tests you and breaks you. There was this time in my life — I have a piece of land in Himachal Pradesh, and I thought that I would take up farming, if this film does not work.” Yami mentioned that she was talking about her career in 2018-2019 as she had witnessed many lows after the success of Vicky Donor. “I told my mother if this film does not work, I would just come back. I am happy with acting and roles, but the process tests you — the people, the process, and the unspoken culture, notions.” She explained that she is not able to ‘market’ herself. “Why do you have to tell people you are a good actor? But for the longest time I was told to network, and socialise. This isn’t bad, but there are people like me who aren’t comfortable. Why should I go to a party to make a conversation just to get work? If you like it, go ahead — I am not judging.”
3. Randeep Hooda
Even after giving great performances in the movies like Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Jannat 2, Cocktail, Jism 2, Highway, Kick, and Sultan, Randeep Hooda is sidelined by Bollywood.
“Well, I’m quite used to it. It does happen time and again, well that’s okay. Maybe they didn’t like my acting, liked my action maybe, that’s why they didn’t speak up,” he told Pinkvilla.
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4. Sunny Deol
Despite delivering multiple hits, many talented actors have faced significant struggles in Bollywood, and one such example is Sunny Deol. Even after the roaring success of “Gadar,” Sunny Deol encountered numerous obstacles in revitalizing his career. However, it was his unparalleled talent, unwavering resilience, and unyielding perseverance that ultimately led to his triumphant comeback in “Gadar 2.” Through sheer determination and dedication, Sunny Deol proved that setbacks can be overcome with hard work and a steadfast commitment to one’s craft.
5. Ranvir Shorey
Even after well-known movies like Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd, Bheja Fry, Singh Is Kinng and Dasvidaniya, Ranvir Shorey has been sidelined in the Bollywood industry. Ranvir Shorey himself admitted that he feels deliberately sidelined by mainstream filmmakers today. In his interview with PTI, Ranvir mentioned:
“You should talk to the filmmakers, especially the mainstream ones, and ask them why they don’t give me work. I did Ek Tha Tiger, but I wasn’t in Tiger Zinda Hai. I know and I feel that I’m ignored.”
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6. Shreyas Talpade
With multiple movies, Shreyas Talpade has proved himself as a strong actor. Be it Iqbal, Om Shanti Om, or Dor, Shreyas has done justice to each of his performances. But sadly, he is capable to do more. Opening up about the Bollywood industry, he said:
“I found out that there are certain actors who are insecure about sharing screen space with me and don’t want me in a film. I have done certain films for friends only keeping their interests in mind but then I have been back-stabbed by the same friends. Then there are friends who go ahead and make films without including me, which makes one question if they are even friends at all. Actually, in the industry, 90% of the people are just acquaintances, there are only 10% who actually feel happy when you do well. The egos are so fragile here,”
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7. Tisca Chopra
Tisca Chopra, who has won our hearts with her great performances in the movies Taare Zameen Par and shows like 24 and hostages, has been struggling to get good roles that don’t typecast her. In her interview with Free Press Journal, she shared how she struggled to get good work after Taare Zameen Par for almost one and a half years. She said:
“I thought after such a big success with such an iconic film, I should be able to walk into projects easily. What I didn’t envisage was that stereotyping is another battle that I would now have to fight. For a year and a half, I didn’t do anything till I decided to do Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, and that kind of role reinvented the idea of what people thought I could do,”
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8. Arshad Warsi
Arshad Warsi is a great actor and it is sad how even after 25 years in Bollywood, he is still looking for a job. In his interview with Hindustan Times, he said, “So, (the truth is), I have completed 25 years in the industry, and I’m still looking for a job because that is how the industry is,”.
No one can deny that Arshad Warsi remains one of the most underutilized gems of the industry. Even after giving superhits like Munnabhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Jolly LLB and so many more, this talented actor has been sidelined by Bollywood for quite some time.
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9. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub
Sadly, even after giving great performances in the movies like Raanjhanaa, Tanu Weds Manu: Returns, and Shahid, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub shares how he is paying the price for being an outsider. While opening up about his struggle, he shared how outsiders are often lied to about movie roles and poster credits. While talking to Hindustan Times, he said:
“You’re told that you have this projection and sometimes you’re promised a poster, too. The makers sell you the character like it’s the poster character and one of the main leads, but while shooting, it becomes a side character.”
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Do let us know in the comments section – Which other talented actors do you think is side-lined in Bollywood?