15 Indian Theatre Actors Who Made It Big In Bollywood

In Hindi entertainment, Bollywood has created various movies and celebrities. Bollywood masterpieces like 3 Idiots, Anand, Mother India, Sholay, and a lot more are cherished and considered blockbusters. Alongside films, there are a few actors who made their place in the hearts of the public with their acting abilities and devoted work. These theatre actors’ appeal to fame is phenomenal and you just can’t stop yourselves from falling head over heels in love with their character.

Here we have listed the best Indian theatre actors who are the gems in the Bollywood industry:

1. Amitabh Bachchan

Son of the exceptionally well-known Hindi writer and poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan is one of the best theatre actors in Bollywood. His real name was Inquilaab Shrivastava and he was born in Prayagraj (then Allahabad).

His name was later changed to AMITABH on the recommendation of Sumitranandan Pant, another notable writer of Hindi writing. Bollywood without him seems like the sun without daylight. His captivating persona, profound voice, and acting abilities made him the real Shahenshah of Bollywood.’

2. Dilip Kumar

The man once ruled the Indian Hindi entertainment world, Mohammad Yusuf Khan, famously known as Dilip Kumar, is the best theatre actor ever. Dilip Kumar appeared in Bollywood with Jwar Bhata, a 1944 film by Bombay Talkies.

For more than 50 years he had been in the Hindi entertainment world and gave numerous hits. Kumar has been granted various honors including Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and DadaSaheb Phalke Award. He has given numerous Bollywood hits like Mughal-E-Azam, Ram Aur Shyam, Ganga Jamuna, and many more.

3. Irrfan Khan

The one who dropped his surname since he needed to be known for his work instead of his heritage. He is one of the best theatre actors whose acting abilities represented him, and the one who had been part of 2 Oscar-winning movies.

This is Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan, hailing from the pink city of Rajasthan. Padma Shri Awardee Actor began his film venture with his first introduction film Salaam Bombay! in which he had a small role.

4. Nana Patekar

Vishwanath Patekar otherwise known as Nana Patekar is quite possibly the most contributing theatre actor in Indian cinema. Having worked in both the Hindi and Marathi entertainment world, Nana is famous for his parts in Agni Sakshi, Parinda which won him National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

His debut film was Gaman. His awesome acting in Krantiveer won him his first National Film Award. The Government of India honored him with Padma Shri for his commitment to Indian Cinema. His roles in Welcome, Raajneeti and Ab Tak Chhappan were loved by all. He is also a social activist.

5. Anupam Kher

Brought into the world in a Kashmiri Pandit family in Shimla, Kher is a National School of Drama, New Delhi graduate. He was a struggler and he even rested for a month in a railroad station in Mumbai (then Bombay).

He is the previous Chairman of FTII (Film and Television Institute of India). Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan Awardee actor holds the record of winning 5 Filmfare grants for best comic. He has been a part of more than 500 movies of numerous dialects and has likewise been a part of International movies. A few of his noteworthy works are Daddy, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, and so on.

6. Manoj Bajpayee

Brought into the world in a little town of Bihar, he was dismissed multiple times from the National School of Drama, but he never gave up, this man today is probably the best entertainer of Bollywood. Hailing from a small town, Manoj Bajpayee began his movie journey alongside a few jobs.

He made his debut in Droh Kaal featuring Om Puri, and Naseeruddin Shah. He had a one-minute part in the film Very Good. He was honored with Padma Shri for his commitment to Indian Cinema. He is also a National Film Awardee. He has been a part of numerous outstanding movies like Raajneeti, Aarakshan, and so on. He has worked in Tamil and Telugu films.

7. Ajay Devgn

Born as a Vishal Devgan in a Panjabi family, Ajay has been a part of more than 100 Hindi movies. He is probably the best theatre actor in Bollywood and is known for his versatile acting. He began his profession with Phool Aur Kaante and his work was liked by all.

He was even endowed with a Filmfare Award for his debut film. Ajay gave numerous hits that were exceptionally good and some were among the highest-grossing movies in Bollywood.

8. Ayushmann Khurrana

A shayar, singer, anchor, and actor, this Bollywood multitalented character was born as Nishant Khurrana in Chandigarh. Apart from acting from a very young age, Ayushmann additionally performed in auditoriums in Chandigarh including plays like Aaghaaz, and Panchatantra. He is one of the best theatre actors Bollywood has ever got.

He used to partake in numerous public school fests like Mood Indigo of IIT Bombay, OASIS of BITS Pilani, and many more. Ayushmann was the champ of Roadies 2004 and he was included in numerous TV shows.

9. Akshay Kumar

The Khiladi of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar real name is Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia. Known for his adaptable character, Akshay was brought into the world in a Punjabi family. He was born to a military official (his father). Having learned combat techniques, Kumar is a black belt in Taekwondo.

His first principal job was in Saugandh (1991). From that point forward, he gave numerous hits like Khiladi and Mohra.

10. Nawazuddin Siddiqui

The Lesley Ho Asian Film Talent Awardee, the man hailing from the humble community of Uttar Pradesh who won over the crowd with phenomenal acting is Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Having done his graduation in Chemistry and served as Chemist, Siddiqui joined the National School of Drama after going to Delhi.

11. Rajkummar Rao

Public Film Awardee, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana actor Rajkummar Rao real name is Rajkummar Yadav. He was born in Gurugram (then Gurgaon). He is outstanding amongst other Bollywood theatre actors who made it big in the entertainment world with no help from inside the industry. Rao’s acting abilities and success is a slap on nepotism in Bollywood.

12. Shammi Kapoor

He was born as Shamsher Raj Kapoor to the notable entertainer father Prithviraj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor was outstanding amongst other Bollywood entertainers. Aside from his Kapoor lineage, Shammi was one of the main actors whose commitment to Indian film is as yet recollected. Being the solitary moving martyr in Bollywood in the 50s-60s, he was named as Elvis Presley of India.

13. Hrithik Roshan

The Greek God of Bollywood, the child of director Rakesh Roshan, the Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai actor, Hrithik Roshon is quite possibly the most capable and handsome Bollywood entertainer.

Hrithik appeared in Bollywood as a youngster from the age of six in little roles. His first appearance was in the film ‘Aasha’. He made his acting introduction as a lead actor in the hit movie Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai with Ameesha Patel.

14. Amrish Puri

He lives in the heart of his fans with his famous dialogue from Mr. India, ‘Mogambo Khush Hua!!!’. This exceptional entertainer has won Filmfare Awards multiple times. Once as the Best Supporting Actor! He was part of more than 500 Hindi movies and was one of the best theatre actors to enter B-town.

15. Shahrukh Khan

King of Bollywood, the heartbreaker of millions around the globe, Shah Rukh Khan is an outstanding actor among Bollywood entertainers. He has a huge fan base for his acting abilities. Padma Shri Awardee, Badshah of Bollywood, King Khan has won a few awards for his extraordinary film venture including Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, an honor by the Government of France for his commitment to entertainment.

Shahrukh is among the best theatre actors who began his acting profession in the TV show Fauji. His debut film Deewana was a huge success and got him the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award.