Top 5 Bollywood Stars

Amitabh Bachchan

Has enjoyed the one number spot for nearly 30 years since 1975. This talented actor with his deep sonorous voice, and his towering presence brought life to the many roles he played, excelling as a brooding and powerful action hero and a much-loved and outrageous comic hero. His recent films aren't the top blockbusters they used to be, but his popularity is unrivalled. When audiences seemed to tire of the Big B's brand of heroism, he began presenting Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Hindi version of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire', topping the ratings charts. In 2000, Amitabh Bachchan was voted the star of the millennium in a BBC Online poll, with Laurence Oliver in second place.
Madhuri Dixit

The top Bollywood heroine of the 90s, Madhuri Dixit's success began with Tezaab (1988) in which she performed the sexy dance number, Ek Do Teen. A superb dancer, she is stunningly beautiful and has played a variety of heroine roles. In a film industry dominated by male stars, few actresses, particularly since the 1980s, have enjoyed much box-office power. Even mediocre male actors can sell a film on the strength of their name but women can rarely do the same. Madhuri Dixit is the only star of her generation whose name alone guaranteed a box office hit. She married two years ago and is now considered, at 36, too old to be the lead heroine. But seeing her as the dazzling and mature Chandramukhi in Devdas, it's clear there are few female stars even today who can match her screen presence.
Aamir Khan

Leads the action in Lagaan, one of the few Bollywood movies to have made the cross-over to an international audience. This wonderful movie has been well received throughout the world and was also produced by Aamir Khan. An excellent actor from a well-known Bombay film family, he began his career in the movies by assisting his famous director/uncle Nasir Hussain. Aamir Khan was cast as a teenage lover in his cousin Mansur Khan's film Qayamat se Qayamat Tak in 1989 and became an instant hit with the Indian audience. He has worked with the best directors in Bollywood, including Ram Gopal Varma (Rangeela, 1997) and the young Farhan Akhtar (Dil Chahta Hai 2001). With his intelligence, charm and winning smile, his new releases invariably create a stir.
Shah Rukh Khan

Or King Khan as he is called in the Indian popular press, has millions of fans, winning a few more for his performance in the 2002 version of Devdas, the tragic romantic hero of Indian cinema. This charismatic actor began his career in theatre and television. His big hit was in 1993 with Baazigar in which he played a psychotic murderer. Shah Rukh Khan has played bad guys and good guys. He has sex appeal and energy and has been particularly popular in light-hearted romantic 1990s blockbusters including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. He recently turned producer, and his film Chalte Chalte is 2003's big Bollywood summer hit.
Aishwarya Rai

Star of Gurinder Chadha's Bride And Prejudice, the gorgeous ex-Miss World had a shaky start in Indian films but secured her title as Bollywood's leading actress in 1999 with her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's acclaimed love triangle tale, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Dancing is an essential talent in Indian cinema, and this exquisite film will always be remembered for Aishwarya's stunning dance scenes. Affectionately known as "Ash", she has also acted in a few select South Indian films including the marvellous Kandukondain Kandukondain. She looks stunning in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest film, Devdas, and this new role will undoubtedly swell the ranks of her fanbase around the world.