The big bad world of Bollywood is filled with one-hit wonders who never quite managed to set their roots in the industry. They are often forgotten, filed into the archive folder of this bustling life. However, there is another folder on the shelf, of actors who made a mark, stayed around for a bit doing meaningful work until there just… disappeared! Vanished into thin air, or did an array of missable films and disappointed their fans. Either way, we have a list of actors and actresses from Bollywood who were an asset to the industry and still have fans waiting for them to come back to the big screen.
Abhay Deol, the actor who played a cameo of sorts in the movie Zero happens to be one of the people on this list. And his unexpected appearance in the film reminded me that over the years they’ve been so many such actors and actresses who we loved but they never quite made it to the next film.
Here are the actors we wish would be seen in more movies in 2019.
1. Milind Usha Soman
Milind was last seen in a prominent role in the movie Bajirao Mastani, sharing a few pivotal scenes with Ranveer Singh. However, since 2015, he has barely made any appearances in Bollywood.
2. Rajeev Khandelwal
Rajeev began his Indian television career back in 2002 and left his hit TV show, Left Right Left on a whim to debut in Bollywood with Aamir. But after a series of rather mediocre films, including Shaitaan and Soundtrack, he decided to switch back to television. His last film was Samrat & Co 2014, heard of it? No? Exactly.
3. Fawad Khan
Sigh, do I need to say anything about this amazing actor? He stole our hearts with Khoobsurat and then went on to play the perfect man of our dreams in Kapoor & Sons. I even started watching Pakistani TV shows because of him! But since Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in 2016, he hasn’t signed any Bollywood films.
4. Amy Jackson
Amy Jackson, the blue-eyed beauty who made her debut in Bollywood with Ekk Deewana Tha, opposite Prateik Babbar, has barely been seen in the Hindi film industry since Singh Is Bling. Though she has been doing a string of Tamil movies, including 2.0, opposite Rajnikanth, her Bollywood presence hasn’t been the strongest. You can also catch her in the third season of the hit English TV show, Supergirl.
5. Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty is an actress who can regularly be seen on the small screen, judging reality shows. However, it has been a while since she made an appearance in a Bollywood movie. Her last stint was an Indo-Chinese film called The Desire, post which she has been concentrating on staying healthy. She even launched a Yoga DVD in 2015 and is a fitness blogger on YouTube and Instagram.
6. Pankaj Kapur
This veteran actor was last seen playing Alia Bhatt’s father in Shandaar. Since then, he has done various movies for streaming platforms but hasn’t been seen on the silver screen. Best known for his roles on TV shows like Office Office and Karamchand, his screen presence has definitely passed on to his son, Shahid Kapoor.
7. Ayesha Takia
Last seen in Mod opposite Rannvijay Singh in 2011, Ayesha Takia has been pretty caught up in her personal life. The actress did some great work in movies like Dor and Socha Na Tha, which are our all-time favourites!
8. Urmila Matondkar
This 44-year-old actress left the industry way too soon, with her last Bollywood film being a remake of Karz in 2008. However, she is seen regularly on Indian television, hosting dance shows and endorsing brands. She also acts in Marathi movies and does occasional guest appearances in films across India.
9. Amrita Rao
In 2013, Amrita did a string of movies including Jolly LLB and Satyagraha but since the past five years, the actress hasn’t been seen on the big screen. She was last seen playing the role of Lata Mangeshkar on a loose TV adaptation of the singer’s life titled, Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai in 2016.
10. Gracy Singh
This actress of Lagaan fame has done just a handful of Bollywood movies, the last being Blue Mountains in 2015. Gracy has, however, been active on Indian television with the series Santoshi Maa that ended in 2017. We’d love to see more of this Munnabhai actress!
11. Gayatri Joshi
This actress started big, with an advertisement opposite Shahrukh Khan, a Jagjit Singh music video and then Swades! But post her wedding to Vikas Oberoi, she decided to stay a celebrity and renounce the actress claim. What we wouldn’t give to see Gayatri on the big screen!
12. Sushmita Sen
After movies like Dulha Mil Gaya and No Problem in 2010, Sushmita Sen has left the acting world and become a full-time mother and philanthropist. The actress is #Goals on Instagram and needs to do another movie ASAP! Her impending movie called Happy Anniversary, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, was supposed to release in 2016 but hasn’t due to unknown reasons.
Which one is your favourite?
Images: Instagram
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