Bollywood has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, where an actor’s job is to carry a film on his shoulders and generate business, while the actress is often expected to merely support him. However, in this very male-centric space, the following ten actresses have carved their own niche, proving that they are no less than their male counterparts when it comes to pulling crowds to cinemas. They match the leading actors toe-to-toe in stardom, performance, and popularity.
10. Alia Bhatt – The High Way Girl
Alia Bhatt is counted among the finest Bollywood actresses of the current generation, known for her versatility across a wide range of roles. Her performances in Gully Boy, Raazi, Highway, and Udta Punjab stand out as some of her most acclaimed works. Her accent, combined with perfect body language, made her portrayal in Gully Boy one of the most memorable performances of 2019.
Her strength lies in her natural, effortless acting style. She won the National Award for her powerful performance in Gangubai Kathiawadi, further cementing her status as one of the industry’s top talents. Her role in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani showcased her growing maturity as an actress. Today, she stands among the most bankable stars in Bollywood.
9. Vidya Balan, the entertainment girl
The ambitious actress from modern cinema is a true heavyweight when it comes to delivering stellar performances. She neither needs a Khan nor a Kapoor to set the box office ablaze. Ishqiya, The Dirty Picture, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Paa, Parineeta, and No One Killed Jessica are just a few of her unforgettable films that will be remembered forever for her exceptional craft.
The Entertainment girl continues to give tough competition to the top actors in the industry. Her performances in Mission Mangal and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 were iconic. Highly versatile, she combines flawless voice modulation with precise dialogue delivery, making every performance impactful. Her forte lies in her dominating screen presence and her powerful voice.
8. Rani Mukerji – The Mardani Herself
The Mardaani actress is, in the truest sense, a complete performer with an underrated level of stardom. Rani Mukerji is a versatile talent, with numerous female-centric films to her credit, including Mehndi, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Black, No One Killed Jessica, Hichki, and Mardaani parts 1 & 2. She is truly one of the finest Indian actresses known for her impactful work in Bollywood.
Her strengths are her commanding voice modulation and powerful expressions, which allow her to dominate the screen in every role she takes on.
7. Kajol – The Senorita
She is also one of the most underrated actresses in Bollywood. The only thing she lacks is the stardom and that numero uno position—otherwise, she stands among the industry’s greatest. She is one of the few actresses, alongside Rani Mukerji and Sridevi, to have made a successful comeback after marriage, working alongside the “Khans” and Ajay Devgn.
After tasting early success with Baazigar and Karan Arjun, she delivered all-time blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. She also shone in intense roles in Dushman and Gupt, the latter earning her awards for a rare solo negative role. Whether in the romantic saga Fanaa or the powerful action drama Maa (2025), she consistently delivers outstanding performances.
Her strengths lie in her personified dialogue delivery, expressive range, and dominating screen presence.
6. Meena Kumari – Queen of Tragedy
The classical actress of the Golden Era, Meena Kumari, is often remembered as the “Queen of Tragedy” for her unparalleled acting skills and magnetic screen presence in emotional scenes. Who can forget her ultimate grace in Pakeezah, the depth of her emotions in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, or the romantic charm of Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai? She was truly unique, defined by her exceptional talent. Her greatest strengths were her impeccable dialogue delivery and her ability to convey profound emotions, especially in poignant, sorrowful roles.
5. Priyanka Chopra, the Desi Girl
The actress who rose from obscurity to become a global superstar was once among the highest-earning female stars in Bollywood. Meet Priyanka Chopra! Her struggle, style, and bold choice of films have made her one of the most versatile and influential actresses of her time. She is a superstar in the U.S. and a megastar in India. Her constant presence in both national and international ventures has not only made her the reigning empress of the screen but also an inspiration for future generations. She has become a true role model for many.
Not only is she a remarkable actor, but she is also a talented singer. Some of her most memorable films include Fashion, Mary Kom, Barfi, and many others. Barfi cemented her position as the undisputed numero uno actress, while Hollywood projects like Baywatch and the TV series Quantico established her as a permanent Hollywood star. Her greatest strength lies in her ability to deeply understand a character and present it with intelligence, originality, and her own unique style.
4. Nargis Dutt, The Mother India
Nargis Dutt is one of the most revered actresses in Indian cinema. Her landmark film Mother India went on to become the biggest film in Indian cinema for almost a decade and was the first Hindi movie to be nominated for the Oscars. She dominated the industry from around 1942 to 1968 and was credited with many of the most successful films of her era. She starred in several popular Hindi films of the late 1940s and 1950s, including Barsaat (1949), Andaz (1949), Awaara (1951), Deedar (1951), Shree 420 (1955), and Chori Chori (1956). Along with many of her male co-stars, Nargis is regarded as a trailblazer and a pioneer who helped shape Indian cinema’s golden era. Her core strength lay in her unmatched versatility and natural, effortless acting style.
3. Madhuri Dixit, The Dhak Dhak Girl
Industry’s most complete actress and biggest dancing superstar, Madhuri Dixit, holds the number 3 spot. Eternally beautiful, she is one of the greatest actresses, a par-excellent dancer, and above all, a versatile performer in both commercial and artistic cinema. She first emerged as the biggest on-screen rival of Sridevi and then went on to secure her position as the biggest and undisputed superstar of the 1990s. Like Sridevi, Madhuri was also the highest-paid movie star of that decade and was widely regarded as someone who often overshadowed her male co-stars. Commercial blockbusters like Beta, Tezaab, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Dil made her the number one actress, while critically acclaimed films such as Mrityudand, Anjaam, Prem Granth, Pukar, and Lajja rightfully established her as one of the most versatile performers in Indian cinema.
Not only is she a great actress, but she is also seen as the most influential dancing queen of Bollywood. Every one of her dance performances has become a benchmark for professionals—whether it’s western-inspired moves like Ke Sara Sara or pure classical brilliance like Dhai Shaam Rok Lai, she nailed each with perfection. Her biggest strengths remain her magnificent screen presence, expressive face, unmatched dancing skills, and excellent voice modulation.
2. Kangana Ranaut – The Panga Girl
Kangana truly is the Manikarnika of Bollywood — an actress of unmatched talent, a four-time National Award winner, and a powerful public figure. From her very first film, she was a scene-stealer. After making her mark with impactful roles in Gangster, Fashion, and Krish, she rose to become one of Bollywood’s top leading ladies. Known for leading female-centric films, she delivered blockbusters like Tanu Weds Manu, Queen, and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, earning the title of “Box Office Queen.” Her period drama Manikarnika became a rare solo woman-led 100-crore film. After Panga, Kangana starred in Tejas, playing an Air Force pilot, and in Emergency, where she portrayed Indira Gandhi while also directing and producing the film.
Her upcoming projects include Circle, a psychological thriller with R. Madhavan, slated for release on Dussehra 2025, and her Hollywood debut Blessed Be the Evil, a horror-drama being filmed in the United States. Her strengths remain her powerful expressions, unique style, and magnetic screen presence.
1. Sridevi, The Hawa Hawai
As mentioned earlier, actresses were generally regarded as mere supporters of their male co-stars, but in the 1980s and 1990s, actresses dominated the film industry. One such actress who changed public perception and became the undisputed megastar of her time—often pushing top heroes into the background—was Sridevi. She was either paid more than or equal to her male co-stars, and when a film starred Sridevi, no one bothered to ask who the hero was. Chaalbaaz, Mr. India, Chandni, Nagina, and English Vinglish were some of her most memorable superhits, while films like Sadma, Lamhe, and Judaai showcased her exceptional acting prowess. Though not technically a classically trained dancer, Sridevi was still regarded as one of the finest female dancers of her era. The climax song of Nagina, “Main Teri Dushman,” remains unmatched to this day. Sridevi’s core strengths were her expressive dialogue delivery, sharp memory, and magnetic screen presence.
