This space is for serious-movie-acting-lovers. Mind it! Though we are too serious about these actors and their acting, they are too busy being calm, funny, hilarious, serious, romantic, angry, and self-indulgent ‘on-screen’. Anyway! That’s what we love about them.
These actors hold the power to make you fall in love with them, hate them, cry for them, get influenced by them and remember them for ‘only’ the role they played.
Here is the list of 18 amazing theatre actors who took their work seriously in the Indian cinema-
1. Irrfan khan
His work in Paan Singh Tomar, Maqbool, The Lunch Box and The Namesake can’t be forgotten. We love him even if he acts wicked in his movies.
Fun Fact – Irrfan went to National Scholl of Drama, Delhi.
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2. Rajpal Yadav
His appearance on the screen makes you giggle. And what you love the most that he becomes the character; no overacting.
Fun Fact – Rajpal acted in theatres in Lucknow (his home-town) for 2 years and joined the National School of Drama, Delhi. The man clearly knew what he wanted to do.
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3. Manoj Bajpai
If you watched Bandit Queen, Satya, Pinjar and Gangs of Wasseypur, you surely admire this actor’s talent.
Fun Fact – Manoj was rejected four times at the National School of Drama, that’s when he did theatre with Barry John at Barry’s Drama School.
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4. Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Superb acting as Taimur in Talash and Faizal in Gangs of Wasseypur 1 & 2, Siddiqui doesn’t need any introduction.
Fun Fact – Before becoming an actor, Siddiqui worked as a chemist and a watchman. He also went to National School of Drama, Delhi.
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5. Richa Chaddha
Theatre actor turned movie actor, Richa Chaddha is very well known for her acting in Oye! Luck Oye!, Gangs of Wasseypur 1 & 2 and Ramleela. By the way, we loved her in Fukrey too. She looked amazing working out in the gym. ;)
Fun Fact – Richa also went to Barry’s Drama School and learnt drama under him.
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6. Boman Irani
We love his voice and are a fan of his acting in Munna Bhai MBBS and 3 Idiots.
Fun Fact – Boman Irani was a photographer until he became an actor. He also worked as a waiter in Taj Palace and Tower and owned a bakery shop in Bombay.
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7. Ranir Shorey
Watched Mithya, Khosla ka Ghosla and Traffic Signal? Then we need not say more about Ranvir
Fun Fact – You remember Ranvir used to come as a VJ on TV?
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8. Vinay Pathak
We remember Vinay Pathak for Bheja Fry, Khosla ka Ghosla and Dasvidanya. Vinay is one of our favorites due to his wow-some comic timing.
Fun Fact – Remember watching Hip Hip Hurray? Remember Vinny sir?
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9. Abhay Deol
The most good looking actor on our list. We know he is a brilliant actor, unlike his siblings Esha and Booby for his movies- Oye! Lucky Oye!, DevD and Zindagi Na Milegi Dubara.
Fun Fact – Also a theatre actor, Abhay took 10 years to join Films for he didn’t want to leave education.
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10. Makarand Deshpande
A brilliant actor in unusual clothes with crazy hair style.
Fun Fact – The new lot comes from theater, we guess! Makarand is not only an actor, but a theater director and has directed many films.
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11. Manoj Pahwa
From Television comic series to Indian cinema, we have seen Manoj in great movies like Being Cyrus, Satya and Aloo Chat.
Fun Fact – Manoj used to come in the comic series Office Office and Just Mohabbat.
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12. Saurabh Shukla
Seen Bandit Queen, Satya, Barfi! And Jonny LLB? If not, go watch to know why he is on our list.
Fun Fact – Saurabh also has a theatre background. He is also a screenwriter and worked for movies like, Satya, Mithya and Mumbai Express.
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13. Konkona Sen
This leading actress of contemporary parallel cinema is not only gorgeous, but has done movies that tell that she is an empowered women and actress.
Fun Fact – Her performance for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer was included in the 2010 issue of the ‘Top 80 Iconic Performances’ by Filmfare.
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14. Naseeruddin Shah
Brilliant actor since years. Needs no introduction!
Fun Fact – Naseeruddin Shah was criticized for his looks initially.
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15. Anupam Kher
A blessed actor who can make you smile, cry and hate him for his role. Needs to introduction!
Fun Fact – Anupam Kher ji has appeared in 470 films and 100 plays.
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16. Om Puri
We have been seeing him for years and so this versatile actor needs no introduction!
Fun Fact – Naseeruddin Shah was his co-student in National School of Drama, Delhi
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17. Pankaj Kapoor
This three time National Film Awards winner is a known actor who everyone will remember forever.
Fun Fact – Pankaj Kapoor, along with Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Manoj Bajpai and Irrfan Khan is considered as the ‘Walking Acting school of India’.
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18. Supriya Pathak
The very well-known actress is known not just for her movies but also for her performance in TV series, Khichdi. Some of her great movies with breakthrough performances are Ramleela, Sarkar, and The Bengali Night.
Fun Fact – She took a long break of 11 years before joining films again.
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Share your favorites in the comments section below with me.
Ciao!
