13 Desi TV Shows That Gave Us Great Actors!

Indian TV shows have given us mortals a lot of things – the evergreen dhoom tana na na music, f*ckall plot twists, multiple deaths and re-births, being a few of them. However, another thing Indian TV shows have given us are some great actors who’ve made it big on either the big or small screen, and we can’t deny this truth. Here are some actors who really stole the show, despite storylines that usually had us going WTF, and that’s some achievement right there!

1. Sakshi Tanwar

Although Sakshi Tanwar started her debut in television with Albela Sur Mela, she reached every Indian household as Parvati from Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. Later, she went on to be part of several other hatke sitcoms like Bade Achhe Lagte Hain and 24: Season 2. Recently, she was seen in Dangal with Aamir Khan.

2. Rajeev Khandelwal

Rajeev Khandelwal had all the girls swooning over him ever since he made his debut in Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat and later, more prominently, in Kahiin To Hoga. He then also went on to act in Left Right Left and movies like Shaitan with Kalki Koechlin. Aamir was his first solo movie, which also got him a nomination at Filmfare. 

3. Jennifer Winget

The star of the recent show, Bepannaah, Jennifer Winget has created a niche for herself in the television industry. Although she started her career as a child actor, she rose to fame after her role in serials like Kkusum, Kasautii Zindagii Kay and more prominently, Dill Mill Gayye.

4. Sushant Singh Rajput

How can we not have Sushant Singh Rajput on this list? After his award-winning role in Pavitra Rishta, the actor has really gone places. Now, he is a known face in the Indian film industry with projects like Kai Po Che!, PK and Raabta already under his belt. 

5. Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan started her career with Hum Paanch and we all know what amazing achievements she has had since then. With ground-breaking movies like Kahaani, No One Killed Jessica and Dirty Picture, Vidya has been a brave actress, more than anything else. 

6. Shah Rukh Khan

An oldie but a goldie! Our very own King Khan started his career on TV with Dil Dariya and Fauji. And, um, do I really need to tell you where he is now? Yeah, I didn’t think so. 

7. Yami Gautam

Before Vicky Donor happened, Yami Gautam was part of TV shows like Chaand Ke Paar Chalo and Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam. The latter really helped her create a long-lasting image in the industry. 

8. R. Madhavan

We bet you didn’t know this one, but Madhavan was breaking ground in the TV industry before he joined films. He was part of shows like Banegi Apni Baat, Sea Hawks and Ghar Jamai. 

9. Prachi Desai

Prachi Desai went from Ekta Kapoor’s Kasamh Se to Farhan Akhtar’s Rock On!!, leaving all her fans ecstatic. Post her success in Rock On!! she was part of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Bol Bachchan and Rock On 2, among others.  

10. Irrfan Khan

Irrfan Khan found a way to all of our hearts and stayed there. Which is why the news of his recent ailment was absolutely devastating. Irrfan started his career with TV shows like Chanakya, Bharat Ek Khoj and Chandrakanta before he went on to being part of amazing projects like Life Of Pi, Life In A Metro and many others. 

11. Gracy Singh

Even though Gracy Singh did not climb the ladder of commercial success as we had hoped, she really proved her acting skills. She started her career with the TV show Amanat and got her first ticket to fame with Lagaan and later, with Munnabhai M.B.B.S and Gangaajal. 

12. Vishal Malhotra

Remember him from Hip Hip Hooray? Vishal Malhotra made a place for himself in our hearts with his cute boy-next-door image. He went on to play supporting characters in several movies like Ishq Vishk, Kaal, Dor, Kismat Konnection and also host several reality TV shows.

13. Mona Singh

Our very own Jassi, from Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, Mona Singh came out as a shining star. Post her debut, she went on to work in several hit fiction TV shows, reality TV shows and movies like 3 Idiots.

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