We all know Previous Hollywood — now it is time to discuss Previous Bollywood.
1.
Madhubala’s identify is just about synonymous with Bollywood. Born in 1933, she is considered one of the lovely, gifted, and influential personalities of Indian cinema. She’s generally known as the “Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood” (as a result of we all the time want a Western comparability to grasp the magnitude of the success of South Asians ?).
2.
Considered the “Meryl Streep of India” and the primary true feminine celebrity of Indian cinema, Sridevi’s profession spanned 5 many years. Born in 1963, she was recognized for her portrayals of sturdy energetic ladies and her giant expressive eyes, and she or he was extremely regarded for her appearing vary.
3.
Amitabh Bachchan is called one of many best and most influential Bollywood actors — no checklist like that is full with out him. Born in 1942 and affectionately generally known as “Massive B,” Bachchan is a reigning icon of Traditional Bollywood (the Seventies-Eighties). He’s significantly well-known for his “indignant younger man” persona due to his portrayals of the wronged hero in opposition to a corrupt system within the ’70s.
4.
Raj Kapoor was fairly a heartthrob throughout his time ?. Born in1924, he is generally known as the best showman within the historical past of Bollywood and the “Charlie Chaplin” of India attributable to his quirky appearing type. He was nominated twice for the Palme d’Or grand prize on the Cannes Movie Competition within the ’50s, acquired three Nationwide Movie Awards, and gained India’s highest award in cinema in 1987! Phew!
5.
Vyjayanthimala is without doubt one of the most iconic actresses within the golden period. Born in 1936, she is well known for being the primary South Indian to grow to be a Bollywood star. She broke limitations and was a key determine in introducing classical dance to the trade. She was additionally the primary particular person to ever refuse a Filmfare Award. Numerous firsts right here so kudos to her!
6.
Identified for her grace and heat display screen presence, Nargis, born in 1929, was one of many greatest names within the trade. A lot of her iconic movies noticed her paired with Raj Kapoor (over 16 movies; their chemistry was unimaginable!). Plus, songs from these movies are a few of the hottest traditional songs in Bollywood at present.
7.
Rekha, born in 1954, is lauded for breaking away from conventional roles and enjoying sturdy, unbiased, and tempestuous feminine characters — ones that may maintain their very own in opposition to the male lead.
8.
Sharmila Tagore is acclaimed as a key affect in the course of the Bengali Renaissance and has labored in each Hindi and Bengali cinema. Oh yeah, she’s up there. Born in 1944, her ’60s aesthetic is iconic — as is her trademark eyeliner and dimple.
9.
Like Sridevi, Rajesh Khanna is known as the primary true male celebrity of Indian cinema and the primary romantic hero in Bollywood! Born in 1942, his movies had been recognized for his or her superhit songs, lots of which are actually classics. (This track is the place the above screenshot of Sharmila Tagore comes from!) The terribly giant fan following he amassed has been famous by his fellow actors for being uncommon and the primary of its type within the trade.
10.
A legend at this level, Dilip Kumar is called “The Tragedy King” and “the last word technique actor.” Born in 1922, he has been credited for pioneering a way appearing method that predated Hollywood technique actors. He holds the Guinness World File for many awards gained by an Indian actor ?! And at virtually 100 years outdated(!!!) as of 2021, Kumar is without doubt one of the final surviving stars of the Golden Age ?.
11.
Identified for her unconventional roles — which had been thought of pathbreaking — and her understated but impactful appearing type, Nutan was one of many few stated to share equal footing together with her male counterpart onscreen. Born in 1936, she’s famous for not becoming the traditional concepts of magnificence. She was skinny and gangly at a time when the trade most popular plump and petite (however um, have you ever seen her? She was lovely).
12.
Hema Malini, born in 1948, is called “Dream Woman” in Bollywood (becoming too — simply have a look at her!). Her “Dream Woman” persona grew to become so well-known that she even starred in a movie of the identical identify in 1977! She additionally performed the feminine lead in iconic movie Sholay (1975), generally known as one in all India’s prime 10 finest movies of all time, by which she starred alongside her future husband, Dharmendra!
13.
Often called Bollywood’s first “He-Man” and motion king, Dharmendra’s rugged look made him voted among the many prime 10 most good-looking males in Bollywood within the ’70s. Born in 1935, he’s finest recognized for iconic movie Sholay (1975), actually a defining movie of the period, by which he starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan, and as talked about above, his future spouse, Hema Malini!
14.
Coined the Tragedy Queen, Meena Kumari has been referred to as “a traditionally incomparable” actress in Indian cinema. Born in 1933, she was additionally a poet and vogue trendsetter within the ’50s. In different phrases, she was a BOSS. In an trade dominated by males, Kumari was famous to be highly effective.
15.
The oldest star on this submit, Prithviraj Kapoor, born in 1906, is particular as a result of he started his profession in the course of the silent period of Hindi cinema! He starred in India’s very first sound movie in 1931 (Alam Ara)! Thus, he is generally known as a pioneer of Indian theater and movie. And he actually is one in each sense of the phrase as a result of guess what? He is Raj Kapoor’s father and the patriarch of the cinematic Kapoor household!
16.
Born in 1947, Mumtaz is legendary for her type and flexibility all through the late ’60s to ’70s. She was additionally a distinguished intercourse image, and plenty of of her seems to be within the ’70s grew to become iconic. Simply have a look at that hair!
17.
Why, say whats up to the “Elvis Presley” of India! That is proper, Shammi Kapoor was dubbed that attributable to his capability to entertain the plenty and his “playboy” and “dancing hero” picture in his movies. Born in 1931, he’s a part of the Kapoor fam and is Raj Kapoor’s second youngest brother!
18.
Devika Rani, born in 1908, is taken into account the very first woman of Indian cinema! She was socially unconventional, extremely educated, and — uncommon for the time — concerned in each side of filmmaking, from appearing to directing. Her movie Karma (1933) was the earliest Indian movie to characteristic a kissing scene (scandalous!). It lasted 4 minutes, a report throughout a kissing scene that is still unbroken in Indian cinema even at present! LOL.
There are a lot extra golden-age Bollywood stars I do know I missed! Let me know your fave within the feedback 🙂
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