List of Hindi film actresses

Given below is a list of all the notable actresses, who have starred in Hindi cinema, the Hindi language film industry now known as Bollywood, based primarily in Mumbai. Many actresses have had careers spanning multiple decades, often becoming closely associated with specific periods during which their influence and popularity peaked.

In early Indian cinema, men often played female roles because acting was considered taboo for women. In 1913, Durgabai Kamat and her 4-year-old daughter, Kamlabai Gokhale, were the first female actors to appear in a full-length feature Indian film. During the 1920s, many women from Anglo-Indian and Jewish backgrounds began working in silent films, adopting screen names like Sulochana and Sudhabala, which helped pave the way for pioneers like Durga Khote and Devika Rani to build successful careers. Simultaneously, the gradual transition to talkie films made vocal ability a desirable skill among actors, which led to the rise of many singing stars like Kajjanbai, Khursheed Bano, Suraiya and Noor Jehan, with many later migrating to Pakistani cinema after the partition of India in 1947. During the 'Golden Age' (late 1940s–1960s), the rise and integration of playback singing and dance brought more emphasis on nuanced performances, bringing forth artists like Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nutan, Geeta Bali, Vyjayanthimala, Asha Parekh and Waheeda Rehman. By the 1970s, Hindi cinema had evolved to color films and bona fide stars like Sharmila Tagore, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Rekha, Parveen Babi, and Zeenat Aman dominated the silver screen, each embodying distinct traditional and modern archetypes. The 1980s saw Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil emerge as leading figures of 'Parallel Cinema' for their strong and realistic portrayals, in contrast to contemporary stars such as Sridevi, Jaya Prada, Dimple Kapadia and Meenakshi Sheshadri. The 1990s witnessed a diverse group of actresses, including Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Tabu, and Manisha Koirala, who captivated audiences with their charm while also embracing more unconventional roles at times.

Since the early 2000s, pageant winners turned actresses like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra have broadened Bollywood's global reach, while Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut, and Deepika Padukone have each carved a niche for themselves, whether it’s emphasizing women-led cinema, extending career longevity, or advocating for better work conditions for female artists. More recently, actresses like Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Yami Gautam, Sanya Malhotra and Tripti Dimri have achieved both artistic recognition and popularity. The advent of streaming has further democratized storytelling, enabling actresses of all backgrounds to experiment with diverse roles and gain critical acclaim.

The following are some of the most renowned actresses and the decades when they were most recognized.

1920s

Year Name Debut film1920Patience CooperDamayanti1922Fatma BegumVeer AbhimanyuErmelineBhishma PitamahSultanaVeer Abhimanyu1923ZubeidaKohinoor1925Seeta DeviPrem SanyasRuby MyersCinema Ki Rani1926Gohar MamajiwalaBaap KamaiIndira DeviJaydev 1928MehtabSecond Wife

1930s

1940s

Year Name Debut filmNotable films1940Sadhana BoseKumkum The Dancer1941Nalini JaywantBahenSangram (1950), Nastik (1954), Kala Pani (1958) Ragni Himmat Poonji (1943), Shahjehan (1946) Dulari Bahen Teesri Kasam (1966), Padosan (1968) Manorama Khazanchi Do Kaliyaan (1968), Ek Phool Do Maali (1969), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972)1942Noor Jehan KhandaanZeenat, Anmol Ghadi (1946), Jugnu (1947), Mirza Sahibaan (1947)Sulochana LatkarMarviMeena ShoreyPhir MilengeVeenaGaribPakeezah (1972)Swaran LataAwaazRattan (1944), Preet (1945), Laila Majnu (1945), Pratima, (1945), Wamaq Azra (1946), Sham Savera (1946), Maa Baap Ki Laaj (1946)Mumtaz ShantiBasantKismet (1943), Dharti Ke Lal (1946), Ghar Ki Izzat (1948) Sulochana Chatterjee Shobha Aaina (1944), Shahjehan (1946)1943SuraiyaIshaara Tadbir (1943), Phool (1945), Anmol Ghadi (1946), Omar Khaiyyam (1946), Parwana (1947), Dard (1947), Shair (1949), Dastan (1950), (1950), Diwana (1952), Bilwamangal (1954), Mr. Lambu (1956)NargisTaqdeerBarsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Chori Chori (1956), Mother India (1957), Raat Aur Din (1967)1944Begum ParaChandNeel Kamal (1947)Sumitra DeviMeri BahenMashaal (1950), Diwana (1952), Mamta (1952)1945Munawar SultanaPehli Nazar Dard (1947), Elaan (1947) Kaneez (1947), Babul (1950) Asha PosleyChampa1946Kamala KotnisHum Ek HainAage Badho (1949), Seedha Raasta (1949)RehanaSaajan (1947), Sargam (1950)Meena KumariBachchon Ka KhelBaiju Bawra (1952), Parineeta (1953), Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Kaajal (1965), Pakeezah (1972) Geeta Bali Badnami Sohag Raat (1948), Bawre Nain (1950), Albela (1951), Baazi (1951), Jaal (1952), Anand Math (1952), Vachan (1955), Milap (1955), Faraar (1955), Jailor (1958)1947ShashikalaJugnu MadhubalaNeel KamalNeel Kamal (1947), Mahal (1949), Badal (1951), Tarana (1951), Amar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Howrah Bridge (1958), Kala Pani (1958), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Half Ticket (1962) 1948Cuckoo MorayAnokhi AdaNigar SultanaShikayatPatanga (1949), Yahudi (1958), Mughal-E-Azam (1960)Uma AnandNeecha NagarKamini KaushalShaheed (1948), Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), Aarzoo (1950), Kabir Singh (2019)1949NimmiBarsaatDeedar (1951), Aan (1952), Basant Bahar (1956)ShakilaDuniyaShammiUstad PedroSangdil (1952)Bhanumathi RamakrishnaNishanShyama Shabnam Sazaa (1951), Tarana (1951), Aar Paar (1954), Sharada (1957), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), Zabak (1961), Milan (1967)

1950s

Year Name Debut filmNotable Films1950Nirupa RoyHar Har MahadevDeewaar (1975)NutanHamari BetiSeema (1955), Sujata (1959), Bandini (1963), Milan (1967), Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978), Meri Jung (1985)1951Kalpana KartikBaaziVyjayanthimala BaharNagin (1954), Devdas (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Sadhna (1958), Madhumati (1958), Gunga Jumna (1961), Sangam (1964), Suraj, Amrapali (1966), Jewel Thief (1967)Pandari BaiBhabhi (1957)Bina RaiKali GhataAnarkali (1953), Ghunghat (1960), Taj Mahal (1963)1952NadiraAanPadminiMr. SampatAmar Deep (1958), Raj Tilak (1958), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Mera Naam Joker (1970)1953SandhyaTeen Batti Char RaastaAmeetaShri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 1954Mala SinhaBadshahPyasa (1957), Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Himalay Ki God Mein (1965), Geet (1970)Chand BurkeBoot Polish1955Suchitra SenDevdasMamta (1966), Aandhi (1975)1956Waheeda RehmanC.I.D.Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Guide (1965), Neel Kamal (1968), Reshma Aur Shera (1971)HelenHalakuAnjali DeviDevta1957SukumariPayalAnokha Rishta (1986), Kabhi Na Kabhi (1998)1958Kamini KadamTalaq1959Minoo MumtazBlack CatAsha ParekhDil Deke DekhoJab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Teesri Manzil ( 1966), Chirag (1969), Kati Patang (1971), Caravan (1971), Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)B. Saroja DeviPaighamSasural (1961), Opera House (1961), Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya (1963)NandaChhoti BahenHum Dono (1961), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), Gumnaam (1965), Ittefaq (1969), The Train (1970), Prem Rog (1982)

1960s

Year Name Debut filmNotable films1960SadhanaLove in ShimlaHum Dono (1961), Mere Mehboob (1963), Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), Waqt (1965), Mera Saaya (1966), Ek Phool Do Mali (1969) TanujaChhabili Chand Aur Suraj (1965), Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966), Nai Roshni (1967), Jeene Ki Raah (1969), Jewel Thief (1967), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)Kumari NaazMera Ghar Mere BachcheSachaa Jhutha (1970)1961Saira BanuJungleeBluff Master (1963), Padosan (1968), Hera Pheri (1976)MumtazStreeRam Aur Shyam (1967), Brahmachari (1968), Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969), Do Raaste (1969), Khilona (1970), Loafer (1973)Aruna IraniGunga JumnaBobby (1973), Beta (1992), Suhaag (1994)1962Leela NaiduAnuradhaSimi GarewalSon of India Do Badan (1966), Saathi (1968), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Siddhartha (1972), Karz (1980)BinduAnpadh Ittefaq (1969), Do Raaste (1969), Dastaan (1972), Abhimaan (1973), Hawas (1974), Imtihan (1974) 1963RajshreeGrahastiJamunaEk Raaz1964SavitriGanga Ki LahrenL. VijayalakshmiShabnamAlibaba Aur 40 Chor (1966)Sharmila TagoreKashmir Ki KaliAnupama(1966), An Evening in Paris (1967), Aradhana (1969), Satyakam (1969), Safar (1970), Amar Prem (1972), Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), Aavishkar (1974), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mausam (1975),Namkeen (1982), Viruddh (2005),Gulmohar (2023)1966BabitaDus LakhRaaz (1967), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968), Banphool (1971), 1967VimiHamraaz1968Hema MaliniSapno Ka SaudagarSeeta Aur Geeta (1972), Sholay (1975), Dream Girl (1977), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Baghban (2003), Veer-Zaara (2004)J.Jayalalithaa IzzatMan-Mauji (1962)Sowcar Janaki rowspan=3|Teen Bahuraniyan| |- | Jayanthi

| Kanchana

1970s

List of Hindi film actresses

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