Top 20 Bollywood Actresses of All Time

#20: Vyjayanthimala

A seminal star of the Bollywood Golden Age, Vyjayanthimala didn't just have the acting chops – she had the moves. She was one of the first actresses to incorporate classical dance into Indian musical films. More significantly, Bimal Roy’s “Devdas” made her the first actress from South India to win a Filmfare Award. She won three more over the next eight years. Then, just two years after receiving the coveted Padma Shri in 1968, she shockingly retired to focus on family. It was a sad reminder of just how far ahead of her time Vyjayanthimala was. That was, until she began a long career in Parliament in the ‘80s. By age 37, though, she had left an indelible mark on Indian culture.

#19: Radhika Apte

Excelling in multiple languages, but especially Hindi, Radhika Apte has been India’s favorite “anti-star” since her first Screen Award nomination in 2010. The Maharashtra native’s defiance of typecasting has limited opportunities with major studios. Still, she’s become a household name on the sheer scale of her talent. International fame came when “Lust Stories,” “Sacred Games” and “Ghoul” all dropped on Netflix in 2018. Apte has also done Western films like Michael Winterbottom’s “The Wedding Guest” and Justin Lin’s “Last Days.” As huge producers keep calling, she responds by criticizing the regressive casting and content of mainstream entertainment. It's not like Apte should worry about losing control of her career when so many people want to see what she does next.

#18: Anushka Sharma

After her 2008 debut in “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi,” Anushka Sharma became one of Bollywood’s most bankable actresses. But just because she was discovered as a model doesn’t mean she stuck to love interest roles in blockbusters. After winning a Filmfare Award in 2013, she co-founded Clean Slate Filmz to produce passion projects like the cult thriller “NH10.” Hits like “PK,” “Sultan” and “Sanju” followed, alongside such producer bets as the Amazon series “Paatal Lok.” Then in 2022, Sharma announced an indefinite hiatus at the height of her stardom. She’d rather be more selective with an industry she never planned on conquering. That says a lot about the natural talent that’s already made her a permanent icon.

#17: Kareena Kapoor Khan

Bollywood royalty doesn’t shine much brighter than Kareena Kapoor Khan. But don’t think for a moment that the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor and wife of Saif Ali Khan has to rely on nepotism. After 2000’s “Refugee” delivered the Filmfare Award for Best Debut, she’s run the gamut from gritty dramas like “Chameli” to glamorous crowd-pleasers like “Jab We Met.” The historic success of 2009’s “3 Idiots” then formalized her status as one of India’s hottest box office draws. The stylistic influence of the affectionately dubbed “Bebo” is trumped only by her philanthropy. Never mind the media savviness and consistent acclaim that have legitimized Kapoor as one of the leading figures in modern Bollywood.

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#16: Hema Malini

This actress, danger and filmmaker was known as Bollywood’s “Dream Girl” back in the day, particularly after her role in 1968’s “Sapno Ka Saudagar.” Hema Malini's nickname actually originated from 1977’s “Dream Girl,” co-starring her future husband Dharmendra. But the leading Bollywood star stands alone with a resume with more than 150 credits and 11 Filmfare Award nominations. That’s not counting the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award she received in 2000, along with the Padma Shri. And with a tenure in Parliament spanning decades, Malini has led a career that most people can only dream of.

#15: Vidya Balan

As one of the most prominent Bollywood actresses since the 2000s, Vidya Balan has established herself as the epitome of grace and strength, both personally and professionally. The native Tamil-speaker first arrived in Hindi cinema with 2005’s “Parineeta,” which won her a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She has since received dozens of accolades in Bollywood, but is celebrated across the Indian film industries for revolutionizing the image of complex female leads. With each passing year and each landmark role, Balan continues to set the bar for a new wave of Bollywood performers.

#14: Rani Mukerji

Known for her raspy voice, the Mumbai-born Rani Mukerji has familial ties to a number of Indian film dynasties. Her rise in Bollywood was to be expected, along with the usual initial backlash. But it didn’t take long for Mukerji to take big swings that consistently knocked critics and audiences out of the park. Her Filmfare-winning portrayal of 2005’s “Black,” inspired by the story of American author Helen Keller, propelled her to being one of Bollywood’s most respected icons. She went on to receive mounds of accolades, in anything from the comedy “Hichki” to the politically-charged “Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.” Whatever Mukerji lends her iconic voice to, everyone listens.

#13: Priyanka Chopra

She came from the industry-driving Chopra dynasty to live up to the title of Miss World 2000. Piryanka Chopra became a highly prolific and versatile actress, with five Filmfare awards to her name. Along the way, she not only transitioned into work in America, where she met her superstar husband Nick Jonas. She has become one of the biggest names in Hollywood! Thus, Chopra has become a leading ambassador in the diaspora of Indian cinema in Western pop culture. Key to that is making the occasional homecoming to show off the breadth of talent behind the glamour.

#12: Aishwarya Rai

This Miss World winner has made great strides to plunge much deeper than her iconic beauty and elegance. This has made Aishwarya Rai one of India’s most influential starlets since she debuted in the Tamil-language political masterpiece “Iruvar.” The thing is that she doesn’t try to be a star – she just is one. The rest is reverence for her wide array of projects, including the 2002 adaptation of “Devdas” and the epic “Jodhaa Akbar.” Her considerable entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts command further praise. The true beauty of Rai’s legacy is how she’s managed to sustain a prominent career while spreading her goodwill worldwide.

#11: Deepika Padukone

From badminton, to modeling, to one of the biggest price tags in Indian film, Deepika Padukone was always bound for glory. It all began with the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut in the Shah Rukh Khan classic “Om Shanti Om.” By the time “Cocktail” hit theaters in 2012, a true icon had emerged with charisma and range. Padukone even dabbled in Hollywood with 2017’s “xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.” That’s nothing compared to her accomplishments in Bollywood, including the 2015 dramedy “Piku” and 2020’s empowering “Chhapaak.” The latter represents the activism that rounds out Padukone as an idol for the ages.

#10: Madhubala

When the Golden Age of Bollywood was at its peak, there was possibly no actress higher in the culture than Mumtaz Jehan Dehlavi. Better known as Madhubala, she matched her legendary beauty with charisma and emotional force. And somehow, she managed to keep her private life well-guarded. This created a mythical legacy after her untimely death from a heart defect in 1969, less than two weeks after turning 36. The tragedy morbidly solidified her reputation as “The Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood.” But looks aren’t everything; and Madhubala’s permanent praise and influence are proof-positive of that.

#9: Tabu

Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, better known as Tabu, lives by the idea that less is more. She grew up on the screen as a relative of the Azmi family and the daughter of a Pakistani actor, but she carefully avoids media scrutiny. She’s let her talent do the talking since 1996’s “Maachis” won the National Film Award for Best Actress. Tabu specializes in heavy projects that include Mahesh Manjrekar’s “Astitva” and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Shakespeare adaptations. She’s also headlined blockbusters across several language industries. This has led to such Western works as Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi,” the BBC’s “A Suitable Boy,” and HBO’s “Dune: Prophecy.” Tabu may be one of India’s quieter idols, but that only leaves us wanting more.

#8: Shabana Azmi

India’s long-divided mainstream glitz and Parallel Cinema grit were waiting for someone like Shabana Azmi to come along. That happened when her 1974 breakout “Ankur” won the National Film Award for Best Actress. An additional four wins secured a record that remains unmatched. Azmi has also received two Padma awards from the Government of India. The boldness in her projects often underlie masala spectacle that draws on her stunning charisma. She’s taken that dynamic off of the screen as a prominent social activist with six years of experience in Parliament. Azmi not only bridged the gap between artist and entertainer in modern Bollywood, but helped reshape the image of a future-forward movie star.

#7: Nutan

Naturalistic screen acting was something of a novelty in major film industries throughout the world by the 1950s. Nutan Samarth helped ground the sweeping melodrama of Hindi cinema after she won her first of six Filmfare Awards at age 20 for “Seema.” The daughter of legendary actress Shobhna Samarth favored a mononym to assert her independence as a major star with an understated approach to layered, often progressive roles. Her renown and influence eventually earned her the Padma Shri in 1974. Just 17 years later, Nutan passed away from cancer. She may have only lived to 54, but she commanded a long and prolific career that consistently raised standards for the acting industry.

#6: Nargis

Neither Bollywood nor Fatima Rashid was far from infancy when they collided. The makers of “Talash-E-Haq” credited her as “Baby Nargis” in the belief that she would bloom in the industry. She stuck to that stage name over the course of the Golden Age of Bollywood, culminating in the 1957 masterpiece “Mother India.” The leading lady received a Filmfare Award and a Padma Shri for what would go down as a cultural landmark. Ten years later, Nargis retired after winning a National Film Award to raise future screen idol Sanjay Dutt. Husband Sunil and daughter Priya followed her into politics after she died in office, but one can only imagine how many people were inspired by the flower that was Nargis.

#5: Kajol

She may hail from the Mukherjee film dynasty, but Kajol doesn’t need a surname to be recognized. She’s built a stellar career on her own terms since the legendary romantic comedy “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.” She and Shah Rukh Khan would continue to frequently collaborate in one of the most iconic on-screen relationships in Bollywood history. Moreover, Kajol has tied for the record of most Filmfare Award wins for an actress. And she received the Padma Shri in 2011 for bringing her radiant presence to virtually every genre. With no signs of slowing down since, there really is only one Kajol.

#4: Alia Bhatt

Talent was bred into the daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan. And yet, Alia Bhatt has exceeded all expectations since landing a lead role at age 18 with no direct family involvement. From the rom-com “Student of the Year” came the conscious drama “Udta Punjab,” the spy thriller “Raazi,” and the gritty musical “Gully Boy.” Bhatt won a Filmfare Award for each of those movies. And nearly every major award in Bollywood named her Best Actress for 2022’s “Gangubai Kathiawadi.” Bhatt has also built her own philanthropic and brand empire to further distinguish her as one of the biggest actors of her generation. But that empire was built on her being one of the greatest.

#3: Sridevi

This illustrious performer staked her claim as the preeminent Bollywood starlet of the latter 20th century. Born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, Sridevi first made a name for herself in Kollywood and Tollywood. She really started turning heads in the ‘80s with Hindi films like “Himmatwala,” “Mawaali” and “Tohfa.” But she always commanded respect, claiming the Padma Shri in 2013 and major accolades up to the 2017 thriller “Mom.” The following year, she drowned while on holiday at age 54. Only after this terrible tragedy did Filmfare honor her with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The truth is that Bollywood’s first modern superstarlet had seen achievements worth several lifetimes.

#2: Meena Kumari

Before she was dubbed “The Tragedy Queen,” Mahjabeen Bano started acting as a child to support her impoverished family. Adopting the stage name Meena Kumari represented taking agency over this difficult upbringing to achieve triumph as a versatile artist. 1952’s “Baiju Bawra” won Filmfare’s first ever award for Best Actress. Kumari’s third win, for 1962’s “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam,” was against herself in two other movies. But the demons underlying her soulful acting, musicality and poetry also informed severe alcohol dependency. Kumari died of cirrhosis shortly after “Pakeezah” showcased one of the most influential performances of the 1970s. In her tragically brief 38 years, however, more than 90 roles redefined what a Bollywood idol is capable of.

#1: Madhuri Dixit

This Mumbai-born artist is as well known for her acting skills as she is for her incredible dancing. Madhuri Dixit’s moves and versatility earned her the moniker “Dhak Dhak Girl,” while her glowing beauty evoked “The Madhubala of the 1990s.” But it was the talent that lingered through her family sabbatical after 2002’s “Devdas” delivered her fifth Filmfare Award. It was as if she didn’t miss a beat after she returned to both blockbusters and experimental projects in the 2010s. Dixit epitomizes the movie star ideal as a natural presence with profound ability. Of course, there are more captivating artists where she came from.

Who are your all-time favorite Bollywood idols? Show some love in the comments below.