Bollywood has many actors who have abandoned talent, but the industry has not been able to utilize their true potential. Even though they can steal away most of the attention from other characters, whenever they get a chance, they keep nailing it with their performances and impress the audiences with their stunning screen presence. Still, sadly most of them are sidelined by Bollywood despite having solid talent and having capabilities to pull off any role.
Celebrated Bollywood Analyst cum Business Transformation Expert Hirav Shah says, “It is no secret that the Hindi film industry isn’t easy to thrive in. The Bollywood industry has politics, ‘camps,’ rivalries, and alliances. The artist suffers the most in a rotten system like that. Also, one can say that while making it in Bollywood does require hard work, it is also largely based on luck and what family one comes from. In a cut-throat world like this, it is unsurprising that many artists of caliber aren’t given the work or the returns they deserve.”
Table of Contents
Here is the list of actors who deserve the better roles and projects
Mahie Gill
Known as a talented actress, Mahie Gill has showcased her talent in many movies such as Dev D and Gulaal. But, later, she is not being offered good roles due to reasons unknown. However, Mahie Gill, in one of her interviews, revealed that her decision to do a supporting role in commercial films like Dabangg is the prime reason behind her fall as an actress. “After Dev D, I won many appreciation and awards. So people wanted to sign me for films. But I did Dabangg, and it backfired big time. The producers started to offer me small roles. I felt very bad, but I did not know what was happening. I believe in destiny a lot; I think this was meant to happen. I did regret doing the role, but now I do not,” reads the official statement from Mahie Gill.
Abhay Deol
During his earlier days in Bollywood, Abhay Deol got the ‘chocolate boy’ image with films like Socha Na Tha. But later, he is forced to turn into a character actor by Bollywood filmmakers. In one of his interviews, Abhay Deol expressed his displeasure about him and Farhan Akhtar being demoted as supporting actors for ZNMD instead of being called leads at various film awards. However, in most events, Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif were nominated in the lead role categories for ZNMD.
Ranvir Shorey
Ranvir Shorey, who acted in movies like Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd, Bheja Fry, Singh Is Kinng, and Dasvidaniya is one of the most underrated actors in Bollywood. In one of his public interactions, Shorey admitted that he feels deliberately sidelined by mainstream filmmakers today.
Sheeba Chaddha
Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Actress Sheeba Chaddha acted in films like Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Luck by Chance to Pagglait, Bandish Bandits, Sharmaji Namkeen, and Badhaai Do, giving stellar performances. In addition, she acted in aunt and mother roles and impressed the audience with her acting. However, Sheeba Chaddha is yet to get a role to the caliber of her acting strengths.
Randeep Hooda
Noted actor Randeep Hooda made his Hollywood debut with Chris Hemsworth starrer Extraction. In one of his press interactions, Randeep said Bollywood is not supporting him. “Well, I’m quite used to it. It does happen time and again; well, that’s okay. Maybe they didn’t like my acting, liked my action, that’s why they didn’t speak up,” an official statement from the actor. To date, Randeep has given many impressive performances in movies like Main Aur Charles, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Jannat 2, Cocktail, Jism 2, Highway, Kick, and Sultan. As a fact check, despite the film’s result, Randeep always delivers flawless measured performance with his acting capabilities.
Jaaved Jaffri
Jaaved is the son of yesteryear character actor Jagdeep who has made a name for himself as a great break dancer and showcased his acting mettle in various films. Jaaved has spectacular comic timing, which we have seen in films like Salaam Namaste and Shaurya and Dhamaal, but he didn’t get a memorable role in Bollywood.
Shreyas Talpade
The talented actor has proved himself as a strong actor in various roles. However, despite being a capable actor, Shreyas is yet to get a proper break in Bollywood.
Nimrat Kaur
The talented actress was last seen in Abhishek Bachchan’s Dasvi. In films like The Lunchbox and Airlift, among others, she proved her talent. However, Nimrat Kaur is yet to get her due from Bollywood.
Arshad Warsi
He made his silver screen debut 25 years back; Arshad Warsi still says he is still looking for a job. Though Arshad got a few good roles, as he did in Munna Bhai MBBS, he is yet to get a proper Identity from Bollywood filmmakers.
Tisca Chopra
Tisca Chopra worked in shows such as Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, films like Taare Zameen Par and Qissa, and digital shows like 24 and hostages but still has been struggling to get a good identity in Bollywood.
Amit Sadh
In one of his interviews, Amit Sadh said he was banned by the T.V. industry and blacklisted for being expressive. Despite being a solid actor, Amit Sadh is yet to get a good break in Bollywood.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub acted in films like Raanjhanaa and Tanu Weds Manu: Returns, and impressed with his acting, he is yet to get a proper role from Bollywood filmmakers. When speaking to an English daily, the talented actor said, “You’re told that you have this projection, and sometimes you’re promised a poster, too. So the makers sell you the character like it’s the poster character and one of the main leads, but while shooting, it becomes a side character.”
Hirav Shah concludes by saying, “There are several underrated yet versatile actors not fitting the Bollywood’s Hero or Heroine image. But their acting skills are at par with the greats that Indian film industry has ever produced and could even give a fight for money to their Hollywood counterparts.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Underrated Actors in Bollywood
Who is the most underrated Bollywood actor?
There are many but K.K. Menon, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, Vikrant Massey, Sanjay Mishra, Akshaye Khanna, Abhishek Bachchan, and Randeep Hooda are some of the most underrated actors in Bollywood.
Who are the most talented actors who deserve more limelight in Bollywood?
Some of the most talented actors who deserve more limelight in Bollywood are Radhika Apte, Bhoomi Pednekar, Manu Rishi, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Surveen Chawla.
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