1 . Madhubala
Madhubala, born as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi on February 14, 1933, was one of the most iconic and beautiful actresses in the history of Indian cinema. Her story is as mesmerizing as it is tragic.
Madhubala entered the film industry to support her financially struggling family. She rose to fame quickly with her stunning beauty, charm, and natural acting talent. She starred in many successful films such as Mahal (1949), Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), and the legendary Mughal-e-Azam (1960), where she played the unforgettable role of Anarkali.
She suffered from a serious congenital heart condition which had no cure at the time. Despite her illness, she continued to work, smiling in front of the camera while hiding her pain. Madhubala died on February 23, 1969, at the young age of 36.
2 . Meena Kumari
Meena Kumari was born as Mahjabeen Bano on August 1, 1933, in Bombay. Coming from a poor family, she began acting at the tender age of 4 to support her household. Her debut as a child artist was in the film “Leatherface” (1939).
Her breakthrough came with “Baiju Bawra” (1952), which made her an overnight star. With her expressive eyes, refined dialogue delivery, and graceful presence, Meena Kumari quickly became a favorite of both audiences and filmmakers.
Her masterpiece, Pakeezah, which took over a decade to complete, was released in 1972, just weeks before her death. Tragically, she passed away at the age of 38, on March 31, 1972, due to liver cirrhosis, a result of years of heavy drinking.
3 . Rekha
Rekha was born as Bhanurekha Ganesan on October 10, 1954, in Chennai. She is the daughter of famous Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan and Telugu actress Pushpavalli. Her childhood was marked by emotional struggles and financial instability.
Rekha started her career at the age of 13 with a Telugu film called “Rangula Ratnam” (1966). Her Hindi film debut came with “Sawan Bhadon” (1970), which made her an instant star, even though she faced criticism for her looks, weight, and lack of fluency in Hindi.
Determined to succeed, Rekha transformed herself—physically, mentally, and professionally.
She worked on her appearance, learned Hindi and Urdu, trained in classical dance, and became extremely selective about her roles. By the late 1970s and 1980s, she had evolved into a leading actress, known for her beauty, talent, and versatility.
4 . Sridevi
Sridevi was one of the most versatile and iconic actresses in Indian film history, with a career spanning five decades across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films. She was known for her powerful performances, magnetic screen presence, dance skills, and expressive eyes.
Sridevi was born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan on August 13, 1963, in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. At just 4 years old, she began acting in South Indian films. Sridevi entered Hindi films in a lead role with “Solva Sawan” (1979), but true stardom came with.
Himmatwala (1983) opposite Jeetendra – a huge commercial hit, Her pairing with Jeetendra became legendary, and soon she became a household name across India.
She followed it with “Mom” (2017), where she played a mother seeking justice for her daughter. Her powerful performance won her the National Film Award for Best Actress (posthumously).
On February 24, 2018, Sridevi passed away unexpectedly in Dubai at the age of 54. Her sudden death due to accidental drowning shocked the nation.
5 . Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri was born on May 15, 1967, in Mumbai. A trained Kathak dancer from childhood, she first appeared in films with Abodh (1984), but the movie went unnoticed. Her initial years were filled with struggle as her films didn’t succeed at the box office.
She shot to fame with Tezaab (1988), where her song “Ek Do Teen” became a nationwide craze. After that, she delivered hit after hit, becoming a top heroine of the late 80s and 90s. Some of her major films include.
After her marriage in 1999 to Dr. Sriram Nene, she shifted to the USA and took a break from films. She returned in 2007 with Aaja Nachle, followed by roles in Dedh Ishqiya (2014), Gulaab Gang (2014), and Kalank (2019).
She has received numerous awards, including the Padma Shri in 2008. Even after decades, she remains a beloved figure in Indian cinema.
6 . Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, one of the most iconic and internationally recognized Indian actresses, began her career as a model and soon became a global star. Aishwarya Rai first rose to fame after winning the Miss World 1994 title. Her stunning looks, grace, and intelligence made her an instant sensation across the globe.
She made her acting debut in Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film “Iruvar” (1997), followed by her Bollywood debut in “Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya” the same year. Though her early films didn’t succeed at the box office, her talent was noticed. Aishwarya’s big breakthrough came with “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” (1999) directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Her role earned critical acclaim and awards.
She became one of the first Indian actresses to gain international recognition. She appeared on Oprah Winfrey, became a L’Oréal ambassador, and walked the Cannes red carpet numerous times.
7 . Kajol Devgn
Kajol was born on August 5, 1974, into a film family—daughter of actress Tanuja and director Shomu Mukherjee. She made her Bollywood debut at just 17 with “Bekhudi” (1992), but her breakthrough came with “Baazigar” (1993) opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film was a superhit and established her as a promising star.
Kajol Devgn, one of the most iconic actresses in Indian cinema, has had a remarkable and versatile career spanning over three decades.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (1995): A landmark romantic film that made her a superstar and is one of the longest-running movies in Indian history.
Gupt” (1997): She played a negative role and won the Filmfare Best Villain Award, a rare feat for a female actor. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” (1998): Another blockbuster with Shah Rukh Khan, fetching her the Filmfare Best Actress Award.
Kajol’s career is a blend of commercial success, critical acclaim, and personal authenticity. She remains an enduring figure in Indian cinema, loved across generations.
8 . Karisma Kapoor
Karisma was born on June 25, 1974, to actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita. Despite opposition from the conservative Kapoor family about women acting in films, she made her debut at the age of 17 in “Prem Qaidi” (1991). The film did well, and she began gaining attention for her glamorous screen presence.
Karisma did several movies early on that were moderate hits or flops. She often appeared in commercial potboilers opposite big male stars. “Jigar” (1992) , Anari” (1993) , Raja Babu” (1994), and Coolie No. 1″ (1995) with Govinda established her as a top masala film heroine and queen of comedy-action entertainers.
Fiza” (2000) – intense role as a sister; won Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress. Zubeidaa” (2001) – a historical drama that brought her critical acclaim.
Karisma Kapoor paved the way for future Kapoor women (like Kareena Kapoor and later Alia Bhatt through marriage into the family) to enter films. She is remembered for her dance skills, expressive eyes, and versatility.
9 . Rani Mukherjee
Rani Mukerji is one of the most talented and respected actresses in Indian cinema, known for her powerful performances, emotional depth, and versatility. Born on March 21, 1978, into the Mukerji-Samarth family of filmmakers (her cousin is Kajol). Made her acting debut with “Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat” (1996), but the film didn’t do well commercially.
Rani made her acting debut with the Bengali film “Biyer Phool” (1996) and then entered Bollywood. Her big break came with “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” (1998) where she played Tina. Though a supporting role, it earned her Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress, and she became a known face overnight.
Black” (2005): She played a deaf and blind girl, earning massive critical praise and Filmfare Best Actress + Critics Award. Bunty Aur Babli” (2005) and “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” (2006) were also successful.
Rani married Aditya Chopra (film producer and YRF head) in 2014. They have a daughter named Adira.
A journey of grit, grace, and transformation—from romantic roles to fierce female leads, Rani continues to shine as a true performer in Indian cinema.
10 . Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone was born on January 5, 1986, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and raised in Bangalore, India. She is the daughter of Prakash Padukone, a legendary Indian badminton player.
Deepika herself played badminton at the national level before switching to modeling.
She first appeared in Himesh Reshammiya’s music video “Naam Hai Tera” (2006), which made her popular overnight. In 2007, she made her Bollywood debut in “Om Shanti Om” opposite Shah Rukh Khan, playing a dual role. The film was a blockbuster and earned her the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award.
Worked in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Bajirao Mastani” (2015) and “Padmaavat” (2018)—both huge hits. Made her Hollywood debut with “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” (2017) alongside Vin Diesel.
Married to actor Ranveer Singh in 2018.
Deepika Padukone’s journey reflects resilience, evolution, and class. From model to superstar, from setbacks to global fame, she represents the modern Indian woman: bold, beautiful, and brave.