15 Bollywood Actors And Their Families With Non-Filmy Backgrounds

In Bollywood, it is believed that one should hail from a filmy or influential background to make their name in the industry. However, over the past two decades, there has been a significant shift in the tides in the Bollywood industry. With each passing year, a number of talents came to the forefront from a non-celebrity background. Exceptionally, they redefined the trajectory of fame in Bollywood.

These individuals from non-filmy origins are armed with a potent mix of talent, determination, and relentless passion. They have crushed the barriers of lineage and nepotism that the industry often presents as its core challenges.

Coming from humble backgrounds, their journey from being non-celebs to red-carpet galas has the potential to enchant anyone. They have designed their own destinies with their talent and strong will. They have proven that a heart full of aspiration can indeed propel one to the echelons of Bollywood’s glittering constellation.

So, let’s have a look at some of the 15 Bollywood actors and actresses who gained fame despite lacking the advantage of familial ties within the industry:

1. Kiara Advani

Kiara Advani is an Indian actress who gained popularity for her roles in movies like Kabir Singh and Good Newzz. She hails from a non-filmy background. Her father Jagdeep Advani is a Sindhi Hindu businessman, and her mother Genevieve Jaffrey is a teacher hailing from a diverse lineage. She has a younger brother named Mishaal, who is a musician.

2. Sidharth Malhotra

Sidharth Malhotra hails from a Hindu Punjabi family and made his Bollywood debut with a movie named Student of the Year. He becomes more prominent after his role in the movie Ek Villain. He is the son of Sunil Malhotra, a former captain in the Merchant Navy, and Reema, a homemaker. He has one older brother who is an investment banker.

3. Parineeti Chopra

While coming from a Chopra family, Parineeti had to pave her own way in the industry. She has gained recognition in the industry by working in movies like Ishqazaade, Hasee Toh Phasee, and many more. She is the daughter of Pawan Chopra, a supplier to the Indian Army at the Ambala Cantonment in Haryana, and Reena, an artist. She has two brothers named Shivang and Sahaj.

4. Kriti Sanon

Kriti Sanon, who comes from a very humble background, made her Bollywood debut with the movie Heropanti. Ever since that movie, she gained recognition and became one of the most famous Bollywood actresses to date. Her father was a chartered accountant, while her mother is a professor of physics at Delhi University. She has one younger sibling named Nupur Sanon, an actress.

5. Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao was born in Haryana to Satyapal Yadav, a government employee in the Haryana Revenue Department, and Kamlesh Yadav, who is a homemaker. He came from a very simple background. He is most known for his selection of versatile roles and exceptional acting. He has delivered memorable performances in movies such as Newton, Stree, and Trapped.

6. Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh comes from a family with a business background and made his Bollywood debut with the movie Band Baja Baraat. He got more recognition after his roles in movies such as Bajirao Mastani, Ram Leela, Padmaavat, and others. His father is named Jagjit Singh Bhavnani, a successful businessman, and his mother, Anju Bhavnani, manages the family business. He also has an older sister.

7. Pankaj Tripathi

Pankaj Tripathi comes from a small town in Bihar and is one of the most inspiring and talented actors in Bollywood. His father was a farmer and a priest and recently passed away at the age of 98. The actor helped his father with farming until the 11th Standard. He was acclaimed for his roles in movies like Gangs of Wasseypur, Stree, Masaan, etc. He has also done a great job in Amazon Prime’s web series named Mirzapur.

8. Ayushmann Khurrana

Ayushmann Khurrana is the son of the late P. Khurrana, a renowned astrologer and politician, and Poonam Khurrana, a housewife. He is an actor and singer born in Chandigarh. His unconventional film choices and remarkable talent have made him a favorite among audiences. He made his Bollywood debut with the movie Vicky Donor. He has been a part of hits like Andhadhun, Badhaai Ho, Dream Girl, etc.

9. Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone, who comes from a non-filmy background, has emerged as one of the leading actresses in Bollywood. The actress made her debut with Om Shanti Om. Her roles in movies like Padmaavat, Chennai Express, and Piku have been widely acclaimed. She is the daughter of a renowned badminton player named Prakash Padukone and Ujjala Padukone, an agent in the travel industry. She has a younger sister named Anisha, who is a professional golfer.

10. Anushka Sharma

Anushka Sharma is an actress, a model, and a producer. She made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She has been a part of many successful movies like PK, Sultan, etc. She is the daughter of Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma, a retired Army officer, and Ashima Sharma, a homemaker. She has one elder brother named Karnesh Sharma, a producer of movies named Bulbbul and Qala.

11. Tillotama Shome

Tillotama Shome, an Indian actress, is the daughter of Anupam Shome, an officer in the Indian Air Force. She was born in Kolkata and made her Bollywood debut in 2001 with a movie named Monsoon Wedding. She is known for her unconventional choice of roles and has done a phenomenal job with her performances in movies like Lust Stories 2, Qissa, and A Death in the Gunj.

12. Radhika Apte

Radhika Apte is mostly known for giving powerful and impeccable performances in the Bollywood industry. Her father, Dr. Charudutt Apte, is a neurosurgeon and the chairman of a hospital in Pune, and her mother is also a doctor. Coming from a medical background, her interest in acting grew when she came to Pune. She has been part of movies like Badlapur, Andhadhun, and various acclaimed web series.

13. John Abraham

John Abraham is an actor and model who started his acting career without any backup. He made his Bollywood debut with the movie Jism and since then, he has played many different roles. He is most known for his action-packed roles in films like Dhoom, Force, and Satyamev Jayate. His father is an architect named Abraham John in Kerala, while his mother, Firoza Irani, is a homemaker.

14. Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra, our Desi Girl, won the Miss World 2000 pageant and made her debut with a romantic thriller movie named The Hero: Love Story of a Spy. She is the daughter of Ashok Chopra and Madhu Chopra, both physicians in the Indian Army. She has done many roles and received recognition around the world. She has done movies like Bajirao Mastani, Mary Kom, etc. She has a younger brother named Siddharth Chopra.

15. Dia Mirza

Dia Mirza is the daughter of Frank Handrich, a German designer, architect, and artist based in Munich, and Deepa, an interior designer and landscaper who also volunteers to help alcoholics and drug addicts. She made her Bollywood debut with a movie named Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein and has been part of several films like Lage Raho Munna Bhai and Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge.