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.^[1]

In early Indian cinema, male actors often played female roles because acting was considered taboo for women. In 1913, Durgabai Kamat and her 4-year-old daughter, Kamlabai Gokhale, became the first female actors to appear in a full-length feature film in Indian Cinema. In the 1920s, women from Anglo-Indian and Jewish communities began entering the film industry, often adopting Indian stage names like Sulochana and Sudhabala. Their success gradually helped pave the way for pioneers like Durga Khote and Devika Rani, who rose to prominence in the 1930s when silent films transitioned to talkies. By the 1940s, icons like Noor Jehan, Suraiya, Mumtaz Shanti, and several others, built successful careers and many moved to Pakistani cinema after the partition of India.^[2] This was followed by the "Golden Age", during which classic actresses like Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Sumitra Devi, Nutan, Vyjayanthimala, Asha Parekh and Waheeda Rehman emerged as symbols of grace and emotional depth on screen, as films gradually transitioned from black-and-white to color.

The 1970s ushered in a new era, with actresses like Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Rekha, Parveen Babi and Zeenat Aman taking on diverse roles across traditional and modern narratives, bringing a new dimension to films. The 1980s saw Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil portraying strong female characters and leading the wave of "parallel cinema", in contrast to the rise of mainstream stars like Sridevi, Jaya Prada and Dimple Kapadia. The 1990s, marked by economic liberalization, witnessed Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, and many others dominating the industry with their versatility, charm, and dancing skills, while also embracing more unconventional roles, as seen with actresses like Manisha Koirala and Tabu.

As the 21st century has unfolded, pageant winners like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra have helped expand Bollywood's global reach through international projects, while actresses like Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Vidya Balan and Deepika Padukone continue to push the boundaries of career longevity for actresses and have played key roles in the rise of women-led films in the commercial space.^[3][4]

The following are some of the most renowned actresses and the decades when they were most recognized.^[5][6][7][8]

• Hindi cinema
• List of Indian film actresses
• List of Marathi film actresses
• List of Kannada film actresses
• List of Tamil film actresses
• List of Telugu film actresses