Iconic heroes in Bollywood have contributed so much to the Indian cinema. The exceptional acting skills, visionary lifestyles, and ideals of these heroes have influenced several fans. This is why their excellence is still engraved in the hearts of every audience. Bollywood has given fans some of the famous heroes in India. These heroes might not be present as of now. However, their impeccable performances across explicitly chosen movies would never fade away. The article presents a list of 21 iconic heroes of Bollywood who are said to have revolutionized the Indian film industry generation after generation.
List of 21 Iconic Heroes of Bollywood Loved and Humbled by Million Fans
1. Prithviraj Kapoor
Prithviraj Kapoor is one of the exceptional iconic heroes of Bollywood. He has done impeccable acting across Mughal E Azam, Sikhandar-e-Azam, and Kal Aaj aur Kal. Even now, the memories from these movies are alive in the hearts of the audiences. Prithviraj was the founder of India’s first film family and is also the founder of Prithvi Theater. It is said to have staged over 2,662 shows in its entire lifetime. Prithviraj was among the few veteran actors who saw the vision of a booming theater industry for young talents. The event happened long before talent hunt shows were popular among aspiring actors.
2. Bharat Bhushan
Being the best Bollywood actor of all time, an inspirational screenwriter, and a remarkable producer; Bharat Bhushan might have left the audiences in sorrow in 1992. However, he is still an icon known best for the mythological and historical roles in movies such as Baiju Bawra, Mirza Ghalib, Barsat ki Raat, Anand Math, and more.
3. Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar is among the well-known iconic heroes of Bollywood. He has kept the Indian film industry and its audiences alive through his acting for over six decades. Fans from Ashok’s generation still remember him. He had his landmark roles in movies such as Parineeta, Chalti ka Naam Gaadi, Mr. India, Sangram, and more.
4. Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor is exceptionally known as The Showman for his iconic performance in Awara. The movie ranked among the top ten greatest performances of all time by the Time magazine. Raj Kapoor is among the famous heroes in India. It is because his movies have been commercially successful across Asia and Europe.
5. Dev Anand
Dev Anand was considered the super star of Indian cinema during his acting career. He was known among the most handsome heroes of Bollywood. He is also known for his iconic and seductive dialogues in movies. Dev Anand has contributed over 60 years of life in Bollywood. He has delivered exceptional acting across movies such as Jeet, Pocketmaar, Shair, Baazi, Jaal, and many more.
6. Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar, the ultimate method actor, is among the iconic heroes of Bollywood. He played a variety of roles that were nominated for several awards and accolades. Some of Dilip Kumar’s exceptional works were across movies Milan, Jugnu, Aan, Footpath, and so on.
7. Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar can be considered an explicit Bollywood hero. He was an exceptional actor along with being a great playback singer of all time. Kishore Kumar’s impeccable comic timing was one of the key strengths of his acting skills. Thus, it made his movies a hit at the box office and endeared him to his fans.
8. Dharmendra
Dharmendra is considered the No. 1 Actor in India. He was known as the action king of Bollywood because of his sporty and good body physique. Such aspects were unique among audiences during his peak acting phase. Some of Dharmendra’s all-time hit movies are Sholey, Phool Aur Pathar, The Burning Train, Anpadh, and many more.
9. Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar’s name often shines among famous heroes in India. He had done various patriotic and nationalistic movies throughout his acting career. Manoj Kumar was also awarded the Mr. Bharat title.
10. Shashi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor is often regarded as the best Bollywood actor of all time. It is because his pink lips and chocolaty looks made female audiences swoon for him over four decades. His hit movies were Pyar Ka Mausam, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Sharmelee, Aa Gale Lag Jaa, and so on.
11. Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is widely regarded as one of the most iconic heroes in Bollywood. He continues to showcase exceptional acting prowess in recently released films. Moreover, the majority of his past films were also box-office hits.
12. Jitendra
Jitendra is considered The Jumping Jack of Hindi cinema. He was that Bollywood hero who made white shoes paired with white pants a raging fashion sense during the 90s. Some of Jitendra’s exceptional movies popular among fans are Mawaali, Himmatwala, Jani Dushman, and many more.
13. Rajesh Khanna
Rajesh Khanna is known as the classic style icon and super star of Indian cinema, as his mannerisms and explicit dialogue delivery projected tough competition to other actors during the early 70s. Anand and Kudrat Avatar are known as Rajesh Khanna’s all-time best movies.
14. Mithun Chakravarty
Mithun Chakravarty is among the few iconic actors of Bollywood who made the disco dance popular among fans. Mithun has not only worked in Hindi movies but has also worked as a lead actor in several Bengali movies throughout his acting career.
15. Shammi Kapoor
Shammi Kapoor is among the famous heroes in India who was known for his stylish playboy looks and dance. Shammi Kapoor has appeared four times in Box Office India’s “Top Actor” list because of his unmatched acting talent, which was rare among actors during his phase.
16. Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor is not only one of the most successful Bollywood actors but he is also known for his exceptional performances in Hollywood. He is categorized as the No. 1 actor in India due to his successful movies such as Tezaab, Mr. India, Beta, Karma, Slumdog Millionaire, and many others.
17. Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt’s name is often clubbed with the names of prominent and iconic actors of Bollywood due to his pure conduct across his acting skills despite having a chequered personal life due to several imprisonment pursuits in the past. Some of Sanjay’s hit movies diligently known among fans are Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Agneepath, Reshma Aur Shera, and many more.
18. Akshay Kapoor
Akshay Kumar is also among the famous heroes in India as he has not only proved himself to be among the best action heroes but has also done impeccable acting in the comedy genre of movies. Some of Askhay’s hit movies list include names such as Khiladi, Mohra, Hera Pehri, and so on.
19. Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan is known among the iconic actors of Bollywood and is considered an actor with a difference for which he has been given the Mr. Perfectionist title by the fans and recognized movies critics. Some of Aamir’s successful movies are Dil, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Inshq, Ghulam, and Lagaan, which would not be easily forgotten by the audiences.
20. Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan, the Baadshah of Bollywood, also falls under the category of famous heroes in India who have not only weaved magic in the hearts of Indian film audiences but have made an international impact across Hollywood. Shahrukh Khan is still a prominent actor who is still giving tough competition to actors in the modern Bollywood period.
21. Salman Khan
Salman Khan is last on the list of most iconic heroes in Bollywood since his iconic dialogues always catch the public’s attention and become taglines for several companies. He has shown an unwavering rate of success throughout his acting career and is still focused on pursuing the same path as seen in his recent hit movies.
Conclusion
As seen from the glimpse of contributions made by the actors discussed in the article, it can be said that these iconic actors of Bollywood would remain evergreen among the hearts of audiences from the Indian film sector. The explicit extent of dedication and charisma shown by these actors is the reason that makes them known as famous heroes in India.
Here is the list of 21 iconic actors of Bollywood who have not only made an impact in Indian cinema but have also created stardom internationally –
- Prithviraj Kapoor
- Bharat Bhushan
- Ashok Kumar
- Raj Kapoor
- Dev Anand
- Dilip Kumar
- Kishore Kumar
- Dharmendra
- Manoj Kumar
- Shashi Kapoor
- Amitabh Bachchan
- Jitendra
- Rajesh Khanna
- Mithun Chakravarty
- Shammi Kapoor
- Anil Kapoor
- Sanjay Dutt
- Akshay Kapoor
- Aamir Khan
- Shahrukh Khan
- Salman Khan
