Bollywood is undoubtedly one of the biggest and best film industry in India. There are tons of people who migrate to Mumbai to fulfill their aspirations to become a great actor but only a few lucky ones are able to get the opportunity. In this fastest growing industry, many new faces are being introduced out of which some become quite famous while others just failed to bag the fame. Apart from all these facts, there is one best thing about our Bollywood stars; they not only excel in this industry but also in the regional cinema. There are several Bollywood celebs who won our hearts with their performance in the Bengali cinema. So, let’s have a look:
Rakhee Gulzar
She is an Indian film actress who has appeared in many Hindi films and Bengali films as well. It is quite surprising to know that the actress entered the glamour industry through her debut in the Bengali film “Bodhu Boron” in 1967 with Geeta Dutta in the lead role. And, her first Hindi film happens to be “Jeevan Mrityu” in 1970. Apart from her Bengali debut, the actress has worked in various other Bengali movies including,”Shubho Mahurat, Phiriye Dao, Prateek,” etc.
Nandana Sen
Sen is the daughter of Nobel Laureate and Bharat Ratna economist Amartya Sen and Padma Shri winner Nabanita Dev Sen- one of the most prominent authors in contemporary Bengali literature. Having a connection with Bengali culture, it becomes unsurprising that she was a part of the Bengali cinema as well. Nandana has done two Bengali movies so far- “Kaler Rakhal and Autograph”. In fact, the work of the actress in the film Autograph received an overwhelming response and was something worth a watch!
Vidya Balan
Though there are innumerable stars in the Bollywood industry but the actress Vidya Balan is the reigning queen of Bollywood who despite facing several hardships during the initial days of her career, emerged as a star. She is one of the most versatile actresses who is not only known for her acting but for her bold decisions as well. In 2003, Vidya was signed on by Goutam Halder for his independent Bengali drama “Bhalo Theko” which was her first film release. Her portrayal of Anandi, a young woman reminiscing about her past, won her an Anandalok Purashkar for Best Actress.
Radhika Apte
She is one of those actresses who had made a distinct place in the industry with her exceptional acting skills within a short period. Radhika has stunned the audience with her performance in the Hindi Cinema as well as through her work in various Netflix series. Apart from this, the actress has also excelled in the Bengali cinema. Apte’s first starring role was in the 2009 Bengali social drama “Antaheen” and has also appeared in other Bengali films like, “Pendulum and Rupkotha Noy”.
Juhi Chawla
Juhi Chawla ventured into films with the 1986 “Sultanat” but it turned out to be a commercial failure. She went on to act in the Kannada classic “Premaloka” in 1987 and her performance was well-received by both critics and audiences. Her first major role in Bollywood was in “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” in 1988, which became both a major critical and commercial success. Apart from this, Juhi has not only confined herself in Bollywood but had also acted in the Bengali cinema opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee in two films.
Manisha Koirala
Manisha Koirala is one of the immensely talented actresses ever existed. She has not only spread her magic in the Bollywood industry, but also in various other regional cinemas such as Nepali, Tamil, and Bengali. Yes! Koirala made her acting debut with the Nepali film “Pheri Bhetaula” (1989) while studying in school. The actress initially aspired to become a doctor and had a brief stint in modeling, and soon she went on to make her Bollywood debut with “Saudagar” (1991). Apart from this, She was seen in Rituporno Ghosh’s “Khela” opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee.
Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen is an Indian film actress and model who has been crowned Femina Miss India in 1994 and Miss Universe 1994 contest at the age of 18. The actress is primarily known for her work in Hindi films and has also appeared in several Tamil and Bengali films. Sushmita Sen has not only acted in Bengali films but was born into a Bengali Baidya family in Hyderabad. The film “Nirbaak” was Sushmita’s first film in the Bengali language.
Nandita Das
Nandita Das is an Indian actress and director who has acted in over 40 feature films in ten different languages!! She has done 3 Bengali films so far- “Aamaar Bhuvan, Subho Mahurat and Padokkhep”.
Bipasha Basu
Though the actress is primarily known for her work in Hindi films, she has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and English films. Born in Delhi and raised in Kolkata, Basu surprised everybody with Rituparno Ghosh’s Bengali film, “Shob Charitro Kalponik”.
Soha Ali Khan
Soha Ali Khan entered the glam industry with a Bengali film “Iti Srikanta” which was a 2004 Bengali period drama film directed by Anjan Das. Also, the film was based on novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel, Srikanta.
Sharmila Tagore
Yes, not only Soha but her mother Sharmila Tagore is also included in the list!! Sharmila Tagore began her career as an actress in Satyajit Ray’s 1959 Bengali film “Apur Sansar” as the ill-fated bride of the title character. In fact, she was merely 15 years old when she appeared in the movie!!
Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza was born on 9th December in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Born to a Bengali mother, Deepa, and a German father, Frank Handrich, she grew up imbibing the value of different world views. She is an Indian model, actress, producer, social worker and beauty queen who won Miss Asia Pacific 2000 title. She made her acting debut with “Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein” (2001). Apart from this, Dia played the female lead in journalist turned film-maker Pratim D. Gupta’s ‘Paanch Adhyay’ which was a Bengali romantic drama set in Kolkata. Also, the film marked the Bengali language debut for Bollywood actress Dia Mirza.
Konkona Sen Sharma
Making her debut as a child artist in the film “Indira” (1983), Sharma debuted as an adult in the Bengali thriller “Ek Je Aachhe Kanya” (2000). Also, she is a known actress in the Bengali film industry and has worked in several Bengali movies.
Jaya Bhaduri
Jaya Bachchan, an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India, started her career with a supporting role in Satyajit Ray’s Bengali film, “Mahanagar” (1963) at the age of 15. After that, she had appeared in two Bengali films: a 13-minute short film, “Suman”, and a Bengali comedy “Dhanyee Meye” (1971), as Uttam Kumar’s sister-in-law.
Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya is well-known for her ethereal beauty and created ripples when she was seen in the Rituporno Ghosh film ‘Chokher Bali’. The actress looked extremely beautiful as the Bengali bride.
