Indian cinema is known for its culture, tradition, and variety. Every actor has hugely contributed to this industry, be it Tollywood or Bollywood. But some are living legends who are known for their acting and style, and these stars have established their roots in the industry. So, let’s have a look at legends who have conquered Indian cinema.

RAJ KAPOOR

Popularly known as the ‘Showman of  Bollywood’  he was the pioneer of Bollywood cinema as he established R.K. Films Studios. He won the hearts of many commoners, because he connected with them through his films. ‘Mera Naam Joker’, is an epic movie where one can feel the intensity of his acting.

NTR

N.T. Rama Rao; popularly known as NTR, played several mythological characters in his movies. Even today people recall him as the Lord Rama or Krishna onscreen. Some of his famous picks till date are Thodu Dhongalu, Seetharama Kalyanam and his directorial Varakatnam. After movies, his interest moved into politics. NTR was the founder of Telugu Desham Party and served in the office for three terms. He has been voted as the greatest Indian Actor Ever in a poll conducted by CNN- IBN.

DILIP KUMAR

Popularly known as the ‘Tragedy King’ of Indian Cinema, he was the first actor to receive the Filmfare Best Actor Award. His genre was more towards drama and this is depicted well in some of his popular movies such as Devdas, Mughal-e- Azam, Ganga Jamuna etc. He has won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and he was nominated as a Rajya Sabha Member as well.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Indian Cinema today is personified with the ‘Angry Young Man’, globally. The popular actor of the 70’s had all the elements of a successful actor with the vigorous roles he performed in movies like Sholay, Zanjeer, Deewar and Agneepath, his romcom’s such as Amar Akbar Anthony, Silsila and Kabhi Kabhie.

KAMAL HAASAN

This man is a living legend that we have amongst us today. His genre of acting lies in his versatility. Originally a Tamil actor, he has acted in most of the South Indian languages. His multiple talent also adds to it; being a actor, producer, director, screenwriter, choreographer to name amongst the few. He has received the honorable Padmashri and we can say that, an industry lies in him for the versatility present in him.

RAJESH KHANNA

‘Anand’ was a tailor-made movie for this superstar. His simplicity was not only seen in his kurtas and his smile but it was well depicted in his acting that left a message to the masses in the society.

RAJNIKANTH

Known for his simplicity and humble nature, Rajnikanth’s movies are usually larger than life. His versatility is seen in acting, producing and screenwriting. One of his all time favorite movies is Approorva Raagangal, which was his debut movie. He received the Padma Bhushan Award in 2000 for his excellent contribution to the Tamil Industry.

BALRAJ SAHNI

This fabulous actor of yesteryear has a natural instinct to acting. His realistic appeal to deliver his dialogues and his appeal, style and sophisticated presence in his movies can be sought out well. Though his acting was noteworthy; it is surprising that this actor did not receive a single award for the roles essayed by him.

M.G.RAMACHANDRAN

Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran, was popularly known as MGR, as people referred to him as MGR from his initials. He was an acclaimed actor in the Tamil industry, and a counterpart to NTR.He was a charming hero and won the National award for his movie Rickshawkaran. His movie Ulagam Sutrum Vaalibhan, broke all box office records then being the first film to be shot abroad. He founded the AIADMK, serving in office for three terms as a politician.

PANKAJ KAPUR

Appearing first on the small screen, Kapur was one of the finest actors in Indian Cinema. He is popular for his TV comic series like Karmachand and Office Office. He did not possess ambitious goals but a down to earth nature which is prevalent event today.

UTPAL DUTT

This Bengali actor has over 100 Bengali and Hindi movies in his 40 years of acting career. His famous movies were Gol Mal, Rang Birangi and Naram Garam. Amongst his Bengali flicks some of Satyajit Ray’s unforgettable movies are Agantuk, Jana Aranya and Hirak Rajar Deshe.Because of his theatre background, he could carry out excellent plays such as based on socio- political views such as Kallol, Manusher Adhikar etc.

DR.RAJKUMAR

A pioneer of Kannada movies, whose mark will always stay in the Kannada Industry. This legend has contributed over 220 films to the Kannada Film Industry, upholding the richness of the language. Dr. Rajkumar has some of the finest movies with a social message in it, such as Ondu Mutthna Kathe, Satya Harishchandra and many other films where his acting is tremendous.

NASEERUDDIN SHAH

Another gem from the Hindi Film Industry, who has found success in both art movies and mainstream masala films. He is one such actor who immerses himself into the character. Whether the comic actor of those times or the man behind, A Wednesday or The Dirty Picture has surely explored avenues.

MOHANLAL

Mohanlal started his journey as an actor with  a  role of a villain, which actors in the present day fear to experiment with. Some of his notable contributions to the Malyalam Film Industry is Manjil Virinja Pookkal, Thiranottam.and Iruvar. His roles have crossed from various genres such romance, tragedy, drama and comic. He has won three awards for the Best Actor Category along with a special jury award.

ASHOK KUMAR

His strength lies in his versatility in portraying various roles from that of a thief, a grandfather or a shabby aged person. He has more than 305 movies to his credit with a career of six decades in the industry.He was one of the sought out actors of the post- independence era.

MAMMOOTTY

Malyalam Matinee idol has more than 360 films in his experience kitty. One of his hit films till date is Athirathram and Oru CBI Diary Kurippu. He has worked in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films and has also appeared in most number of movies in dual roles.

SANJEEV KUMAR

How can we forget the old man in Sholay who is helpless without any arms. His anger, grit and dramatic emotion is brought out well in each and every movie he has acted in.

Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi is another South Indian Actor who has essayed more anti- hero roles and he stood as a style icon in the mid 80’s with his chartbuster movies, not only in Tamil Cinema but any lingual he has acted in.

DEV ANAND

‘This young man at heart’ has a wholesome career of more than six decades. Some of his great performances can be seen in movies such as Jewel Thief, Guide,C.I.D and Kala Pani.  He had a signature style of his own with collar necks tied with scarfs, a hat and his hand always held atop his hat with a grin.

SOUMITRA CHATTERJEE

This famous actor was awarded the Dadasahed Phalke Award very recently. He is associated with Bengali director Sayyajit Ray.

Sharmila Tagore

Considered one of the best and most beautiful actresses of her time. She started acting in Bengali cinema and then moved to Hindi cinema. Known for her romantic roles in films, she is called a legendary actress. She has won many National Awards and Filmfare awards for her acting.

Pran Sikand

Pran was one of the leading character actors of Indian cinema. He was born on 12 February,1920 at Delhi. Pran was educated at different places namely Kapurthala, Unnao, Meerut, Dehradun and Rampur as his father late Lala Kewal Krishnan Sikand was a Government Civil Contractor for the construction of roads and bridges. Pran started his career by learning photography in Lahore. A chance meeting with a film producer, got him his first break in ‘Yamla Jat’ in 1940.

DHARMENDRA

After his commercial success of Sholay, Dharender is fondly referred to as ’ Dharmeder Paaji’ and has stormed Bollywood.He has a unique personality which was a charmer to women, with all the qualities of an alpha- man.

AAMIR KHAN

From the teen faced Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak poster boy, to the serious police inspector who donned the role in Talaash, he is known as the Perfectionist of Bollywood. He has made a mark in playing the role of a chocolate boy in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. Some of his commercial successes include; Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai and Rang De Basanti, while making an acclaimed debut as director with Taare Zameen Par.

SHAH RUKH KHAN

 How can our romantic hero with wide arms lag behind in this list ? Whether the lover boy of DDLJ, or the action star of Darr and Baazigar or the coach of Chak De India, we have accepted him awiths open arms.

Om Puri

Om Puri was an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE. Puri was born in Ambala, Haryana. His father worked on the railways and served in the Indian Army. Puri graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India. He is also an alumnus of the 1973 class of National School of Drama where Naseeruddin Shah was a co-student.

Guru Dutt

Considered to be a man ahead of his time, Guru Dutt was one of the greatest icons of commercial Indian cinema. Although he made less than ten films, they are believed to be the best to come from Bollywood’s Golden Age, known both for their ability to reach out to the common man and for their artistic and lyrical content, and they went on to become trend-setters that have influenced Bollywood ever since. But for all his genius, there was a shroud of tragedy that overshadowed his career and life.