Those days of “the little screen” TVing is long gone. The television has developed a lot today and is a rival to Bollywood stars. Some great TV stars have proven their worth in the entertainment industry. Some people, meanwhile, have excelled even the biggest Bollywood stars. Everyone has heard of the Bollywood actors and actresses and their rising stardom by day. However, there are some people in the television world that have been capturing the hearts of people.
But to be honest, it’s no longer a surprise. These are no ordinary actors for the screen. They are all the people who shared our morning chai, our lazy Sunday afternoons and our late night channel surfing. We accepted them without realizing that they were a part of our everyday life.
No big film launch. No page three’s. No media circus. Pure, solid acting that kept crores of people glued to their screens, each and every day. Along the way, they, in their own way, grew larger than the stars Bollywood was celebrating.
Some of them went to Bollywood and proved a point. Others were denied the opportunity, when they deserved more than others. Some, however, didn’t need it — since their audience was already theirs, large and loyal. This is a list for their benefit. Those who were not given enough credit. Those who should have received a lot more than they did. The real stars of Indian entertainment.
The top 8 TV actors that outperformed major Bollywood stars are listed below:
1. Rupali Ganguly
For many, she became a household name with Anupama. But for those who have been watching her since the beginning, Rupali Ganguly was always a star — right from the days of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, where her comic timing was simply on another level. She made you laugh, she made you feel, and she did it all so effortlessly. Years later, she took on Anupama and turned it into one of the longest running hits on Indian television.
What makes her story even more interesting is that she has reportedly turned down several Bollywood offers to stay focused on television. In a world where everyone is chasing the big screen, she chose her own path — and clearly, it worked out just fine.
2. Karan Patel
If you have watched Indian television in the last decade, you know Karan Patel. His role as Raman Bhalla in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein was something else. He was rude, he was loud, he was stubborn — and yet you could not stop watching him. That is the magic of Karan Patel. He makes every character feel real.
Away from the daily soap world, he went on Khatron Ke Khiladi and showed a completely different side of himself — fearless and full of energy. Off screen he is exactly how you imagine him — straight talking and no nonsense. Bollywood never really came knocking for him in a big way and that is honestly their loss. Because this man can act, and anyone who has watched him knows that.
3. Sakshi Tanwar
She doesn’t require an introduction. However, when it came to Dangal, it was that role which made everyone aware of her great talent. She played Aamir Khan’s wife with a lot of warmth and love that you would never realize that she was an actor. That mother who was gentle, caring and was cheering for her daughters, you can’t find people any better.
It’s when you thought she was behind the television that she came back with Mai on Netflix. A one-woman show in which she carried all the scenes on her shoulders. The series has an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so that’s telling. Sakshi Tanwar has shown that big banners and blockbusters are not prerequisites for big stars.
Also Read: Sakshi Tanwar Best Movies
4. Mohit Raina
Mohit Raina has always been Mahadev and will remain so for a whole generation. When he appeared in the film, Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev, his divinity and passion was so strong that fans for years did not recognize him as anything but. He did, however, ensure that would not be the case.
In URI: The Surgical Strike he was a no-nonsense, serious soldier and acted every character so convincingly in every scene, there was nothing to doubt.
Next up is The Freelancer on JioHotstar, where he’s showing he can do a show just as well alone. Mohit Raina has become a god on TV, a soldier on the screen, and a one-man army on OTT — all in all he has been everything and did it all and did it well.
5. Hina Khan
One of those actors who deserve more credit than what they are getting is Hina Khan. She became a TV star, but always had bigger things in mind. Her expressions set her apart, she can convey so much more without saying a word. Whether it is a negative role, or a scene for emotions, she does it all with a breeze. She made her Bollywood debut in Hacked and had a cameo role in the emotional movie Lines, which is about families divided by the India-Pakistan border.
Yet, courage is what defines Hina Khan today, and more so than anything else, her roles. She fought the battle of cancer with a smile on her face and never left life’s public presence — she was an inspiration to millions. An actress, a fighter and one of the underrated talents in this industry.
6. Ronit Roy
When Ronit Roy was on the verge of failure in Bollywood. Finally, the TV came and changed all this. Though it was Kasautii Zindagii Kay’s performance that catapulted him to stardom, it was Udaan that took him to the level of a legend. That hard, cold father he played is one of the best and chilling instances on Indian TV to date.
He came back to bring Bollywood back. This time, he acquitted himself well. Every time he was on screen, he owned it, whether it’s Kaabil, Ugly, Student of the Year. A man who had to fight his way back from Bollywood rejection to becoming a Television Superstar, and then return to Bollywood on his terms. That’s the tale of Ronit Roy.
7. Ram Kapoor
If someone mentions television watching in India, the name of Ram Kapoor will immediately appear in their mind. It was either Kasautii Zindagii Kay or Bade Achhe Lagte Hain – he was an undeniable screen presence. He was able to be the romantic hero and the grey shaded villain and do both with ease; a rare ability. He also had one of his best use in Bollywood films such as Student of the year and Wake up Sid where he walked in to make a stellar impression.
The nation was stunned and motivated by his dramatic transformation from a fat man to a fit one in recent years. From one of the most cherished faces of television to a completely new avatar, Ram Kapoor has always been a man who is able to get people talking.
8. Jennifer Winget
Jennifer Winget may be the biggest puzzle in the Indian entertainment industry. Everyone can see the talent. The expressions, the screen presence, the looks — she has it all that Bollywood says it is looking for in its leading ladies. Beyhadh and Bepannaah proved her from a one-person show to an entire daily show and toa faithful audience.
But Bollywood has refused to open its doors for her. No major feature, no real debut, no chance. And it begs the question, “Why?” Truth is, many actors with less talent’ve been thrown to the world by big banners time and again. It’s a lobby, a closed circle, or simply blind omniscience, but she somehow has been ignored. Sad that it was a loss for Indian cinema.
Please, Bollywood, Give These Actors More Chance
That’s how it is. Eight television actors who did the same thing time and time again, and who showed that there’s more to talent than being on which screen. All of them have provided us with moments we shall never forget, characters we shall never forget and performances we shall never forget.
Just before closing, we want to emphasize that this list is not a ranking. It’s not about who’s better looking than the other. Each individual on this list is outstanding in their own way, and it would not be a fair comparison. Here’s a random list of some of the best faces to grace the TV screens of India.
So, what do we have to do now after this writing? That the film industry begins to see a little bit more. These actors need to get a opportunity—an opportunity to perform in a leading role and not a small role or a one-time cameo role. If there is one thing television has taught us it is that these folks can handle an entire story in their hands very easily. Hopefully Bollywood is listening.