Entertainment is an addictive art form, both for the artists and the consumers. By definition, it provides humans with enjoyment, relaxation, and a diversion from daily routines.

After India gained independence from the British Raj in 1947, and the partition was another major event in Indian history, people needed to escape from reality—this increased interest in art, literature, cinema, and music, offering escapism and emotional relief.

India’s multibillion-dollar movie industry produces around 1,500 to 2,000 films per year in over 20 languages, compared to Hollywood, which produced 569 films in 2024 and 506 in 2023.

Popularly known as Bollywood, Hindi films are well-known compared to regional languages due to their reach. It has long been influenced by the country's economic, social, and political climate.

As India grappled with five wars, the last war fought in 1999, people preferred entertainment as their escape. After the 1991 liberalisation, India was exposed to the various forms of entertainment and products that promoted it, such as satellite TV.

This escapism moulded an on-screen persona of the people and how he could deal with the systemic oppression to be lived vicariously by the spectators. Yes, he! Even after independence, patriarchy was at the core of every establishment, not excluding Bollywood.

The 1969 film Aradhana made Rajesh Khanna—born in Punjab Province, British India—a superstar. He was named the first superstar of Indian cinema. He delivered 15 consecutive solo hit films, making him the undisputed king of Bollywood. His movies consistently performed well, making him the most bankable star of his era.

His charming smile, expressive eyes, effortless dialogue delivery, melodious and evergreen hits, the "Rajesh Khanna Style," and crazy fan following made him a trendsetter and, thus, a superstar.

Amitabh Bachchan took over his reign as the next superstar, as people know him, " Angry Young Man, Man", which reflected the revolt against corruption and the establishment during the emergency era.
He, too, was replaced by Shah Rukh Khan, who is still known as the 'King of Bollywood'. The self-made star is known for his charm, wit, and thrilling screen presence, making him a natural entertainer. Even at 59, he was as active as he had been when he hopped for entertainment express.

Superstar symbolises the nation's collective consciousness, which eventually becomes cultural and personifies the emotions and struggles the public goes through. This arduous journey is often influenced by the prevailing national sentiment, which also serves the country's socio-political landscape, transforming Bollywood beyond the entertainment industry.

This article chronicles the illustrious journey of India’s Hindi cinema superstars, who overcame adversity and etched their names into the annals of cinema history, ensuring their enduring legacy.

Conditions that Contribute to the Rise of a Superstar

The country's societal mood is the main factor that makes someone a superstar. The kind of stories that resonate with the audience depends on their lived realities. Cinema is also primarily shaped by the nation's financial state. Moreover, political stability or unrest greatly influences popular roles and characters. Currently, streaming and social media affect stardom.

These outside pressures always affect how a superstar is shaped in a nation like India. A truly gifted actor discovers a deeply audience-resonating space. This actor has rapidly become a genuine cultural phenomenon, in addition to powerfully representing widely relatable struggles. Each era is characterised by a defining superstar who embodies the spirit. Three are known - all outsiders - having contributed in abundance to the Hindi cinema.

The Age of Rajesh Khanna

Rajesh Khanna entered the film industry at an ideal time. By 1965, the common fame of Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, and Dilip Kumar had decreased. Even though Shammi Kapoor's work showed some self-repetition, he stayed a big name.

Khanna symbolized a time of romantic escape and was also called India's first superstar. His deeply charming, exceptionally tender characters and almost poetic melancholy mirrored an India that, even with its enormous growth, still greatly valued its traditions.

Khanna arrived with his invigorating style, and the audience felt a universal desire for change. Shammi's charisma improved this style to a degree. The three influences became a definite fusion. The contrast between Dev Anand, Shammi, and Khanna's collaboration was quite noticeable. People sincerely appreciated Khanna's great freshness.

Khanna's signature romantic dialogue delivery and soulful eyes gave him a special emotive style, adding depth to his many roles. In the early 1970s, nearly everyone viewed Rajesh Khanna as Bollywood's unmatched leading man.

Rajesh Khanna extensively ruled Bollywood throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was Bollywood's biggest star and unmatched at the box office until more popular actors, such as Amitabh Bachchan, arrived in the mid-1970s.

As the socio-political climate changed in the mid-1970s, Khanna's 'romance' brand faded almost completely. Rising unemployment and disillusionment with the government burdened the youth. The youth is no longer related to all of his idealistic portrayals of love. A new face mirroring the nation's quickly growing unrest was needed.

The "Angry Young Man" Era

India experienced intense political chaos in the mid-1970s when then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared an Emergency (1975-77). Economic distress grew severely, and civil liberties were considerably curbed.

Amitabh Bachchan played characters who fought an entirely corrupt system, thus fully becoming the "Angry Young Man" within this context.

Many people link universal disappointment and crucial social change to Bachchan's imposing physical presence, deep voice, and strong acting. Bachchan became a vocal champion for many ordinary people because his "angry young man" persona powerfully enabled his great stardom.

Many power struggles by several people, including Rajesh Khanna, Yash Chopra, and Amitabh Bachchan, significantly shaped the entire history of Bollywood through one especially important chapter. Bachchan overcame those problems, though.

Movies like Zanjeer (1973), Deewaar (1975), and Sholay (1975) resonated profoundly with an audience that saw their extreme frustrations reflected on the screen. Bachchan became a common symbol of anger because of his brooding intensity and multiple rebellious roles. He fully represented India's socio-political reality, not simply serving as an actor.

For those who remember when his career peaked, a new Bachchan film was a significant event, nearly like a festival. It was something people looked forward to.

Even though Anil Kapoor was a name that cropped up in Bollywood, he was generally seen as achieving superstar status after Amitabh Bachchan, who established himself as a leading star much earlier in his career.

The Shah Rukh Khan Phenomenon Amidst Liberalization

If the 1970s were owned by Amitabh Bachchan’s 'Angry Young Man' and his booming baritone, which stood for his masculinity, the 1990s were owned by a charming actor who still rules as the king of Bollywood.

India's economy underwent total changes during the 1990s. The 1991 liberalisation transformed the aspirations of the Indian middle class, and markets opened up abundantly. When economic policies shifted, cinematic narratives shifted.

Shah Rukh Khan became Bollywood's new face. As the Indian diaspora and consumerism grew, he rose to prominence. SRK's films focused on romance, relationships, and family conflicts instead of the political angst in Bachchan's era. Live Wire even called Shah Rukh the poster boy of India's liberalisation.

Khan's intoxicating voice, dimpled smile, and unbridled charm were individual agents of change, stirring a first rush of romantic crushes for quite a few.

Shah Rukh's 1992 arrival in Deewana, which occurred in the film's later portion after Rishi Kapoor’s character had died, powerfully introduced him as a valid symbol of New India. This hero was desirable.

Movies such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) related with almost an entire generation that was navigating newfound economic freedom but valued customary relationships.

Shah Rukh played Vicky/Ajay, the cold-blooded murderer in Baazigar (1993), and Rahul, the obsessive stalker in Darr (1993), during the 1990s, before he was known as a romantic hero. Khan embraced the anti-hero role, which had a poisonous quality that blurred the lines between good and evil. His face, with the features of a boy everyone recognised and liked and the face of a hero in action movies, helped him secure any Deewana or comic part, like in Chamatkar (1992).

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995) indeed immortalised him. The powerful image also thoroughly erased the stalker tag linked to him from Baazigar, Darr (both 1993), and Anjaam (1994).

Khan, a Muslim actor, frequently popularised Hindu rituals and glamorised wealthy funerals in his movies. That was until he played the ‘tainted’ Kabir Khan, who redeemed himself completely by coaching the Indian women’s hockey team to victory in Chak De! India (2007). Ten years later, in Raees, he played a genuinely gentle-hearted bootlegger. In My Name is Khan (2010), Shah Rukh Khan's Rizwan Khan, diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, had an audience with the US president to declare that his name is Khan emphatically, he is not a terrorist, and no Muslims are terrorists.

Khan often promoted love through his films, such as Nikkhil Advani's 2003 Kal Ho Na Ho, in which his character suffers from a fatal heart condition but united many dreary hearts, or Yash Chopra's 2004 directorial Veer Zara, which caused an undying love story between an Indian pilot and a Pakistani girl.

Such films and his charm established Shah Rukh's entire fan base through his familiar image as a romantic hero who will always protect the woman's honour; in addition to everywhere that he was born and raised, he is assuredly completely Indian at heart.

His talent for combining modern elements with many cultural foundations made him the perfect superstar in a liberalising India.

The Khans

The Ram Mandir and Mandal movements were undeniably important, just as the then-PM, Rajiv Gandhi, implemented necessary measures, including flexible industrial licensing, modern stock markets, the telecom revolution, and satellite connectivity. Each of the three young Khans acted as a hero to show that consumerism and the values of the new class were valid.

Salman Khan and Aamir Khan became strong contenders after SRK's dominance, marking a shift in Bollywood. Salman's appeal to many single-screen viewers was strong, and Aamir embraced a more focused strategy, integrating commercially successful and analytically commended movies.

Kaveree Bamzai's book, 'The Three Khans and the Emergence of New India,' looks at the rise of a new Indian class. This rise occurred after economic liberalisation. Bamzai scrutinises both the star power and the brand equity of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan, referring to them as "products of Nehruvian socialism and its deep-rooted secularism"; their upbringing was entirely multicultural, they went to many schools, they all married Hindu women, together with playing Hindu characters. In public, they seemed secular.

Aamir Khan's performance as the young, cute, funny heartthrob in his debut movie, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), won many fans. The film, more so. After the movie's massive success, Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla became overnight stars, an Indian take on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Its music, especially songs such as 'Ae Mere Humsafar' and 'Papa Kehte Hain,' remains iconic.

Often, people call the person 'Mr. Aamir is a 'perfectionist' known for his dedication to his craft, thought-provoking films, and ability to blend meaningful storytelling with commercial success. Throughout a career spanning over three decades, Aamir has redefined the role of a Bollywood hero and is constantly pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema. Soon, his talent for selecting varied roles made him famous, with roles ranging from the gripping Dil (1990) to the exciting Ghulam (1998).

He delivered a revolutionary performance in Lagaan (2001). In the movie, he plays a strongly determined villager who challenges the British in a decidedly important cricket match. Amir undeniably cemented his superstar status with Lagaan, which got an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, as stated by Bamzai in his analysis of the 2001 film. The three-hour cricket film that showed British villains caught all of India's confidence and nationalism because the country had won a war against Pakistan in 1999 and had solved the global Y2K computer crisis.

In addition, Aamir Khan declined all efforts to typecast him. He showed his skill in playing emotionally intense and socially important characters in movies such as Taare Zameen Par (2007) and Rang De Basanti (2006). He acted in and directed Taare Zameen Par, a film about a dyslexic child that left an important, lasting effect on many audience members and some educators.

Aamir Khan’s films regularly convey powerful social messages and shatter box office records. Three Idiots (2009) boldly questioned the rigidly inflexible education system. Dangal (2016) truly empowered women by representing the inspiring real-life story of dedicated female wrestlers, while PK (2014) strongly challenged existing religious dogmas. Khan shows his dedication to authenticity by taking on roles requiring drastic physical changes, such as in Ghajini (2008) and Dangal.

Aamir Khan has an important influence beyond cinema. His TV show, Satyamev Jayate, made many people in India more aware of social issues. He is a global icon because he is a perfectionist and chooses his films carefully.

Aamir Khan, a well-known Bollywood hero, shows that being a star means more than just looking good. He is brilliant, flexible, and cares a lot about making movies that matter and creating change. His ability to combine enjoyment and importance makes him outstanding. Unlike many Bollywood heroes, Aamir stresses script quality and wide-ranging performance depth.

Salman Khan created a very special place for himself in Indian movies. He was born to writer Salim Khan and mother Salma Khan. Over a career spanning three decades, he changed from a romantic heartthrob to an action superstar.

He gained fame from the 1989 film 'Maine Pyar Kiya'. He gained immediate fame in the movie for portraying Prem, who was entirely innocent and exceptionally charming. In the 1990s, he continued his domination of the romantic genre with hits like Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! Some of the films are from (1994). They include Karan Arjun (1995), Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), and Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999). His skill to combine romance with a boy-next-door charm made him the stereotypical hero of nearly every Bollywood romantic movie.

In the 2000s, Salman transitioned to a complete action-hero persona on screen. Films like Wanted (2009), Dabangg (2010), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), and Kick (2014) redefined his career, establishing him as the undisputed king of mass entertainers. With many witty dialogues, unique swag, and unbeatable action sequences, the icon Chulbul Pandey from Dabangg became a cultural phenomenon.

Beyond action and romance, Salman has shown flexibility in films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and Sultan (2016). Bajrangi Bhaijaan was vital because it showed him in a more emotional role, playing a good man who helps a lost Pakistani girl return to her family. The movie was a massive success for many critics and virtually all viewers.

Salman is also known for humanitarian work. His charity foundation, Being Human, supports the education and healthcare of all underprivileged children. Khan is a compelling figure in the industry. His charisma, larger-than-life persona, and deep fan connection strongly undergo, even with some personal controversies. He had common fame since he was flexible as an action hero, romantic lead, and humanitarian.

The Ruling Superstar

Despite the competition, the Khans are still superstars even today. But Shah Rukh has cemented his position as the immortal Badshah of Bollywood, yet again. After Aanand L. Rai's 2018 comedy-drama film 'Zero', everybody thought SRK's charisma had run its course. But after a four-year hiatus, he came back with a bang.

At 57, he delivered massive hits like Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki in 2023, which shows that age is just a number. Khan is now an icon for all of India, and love's redemption is needed. Even with the remoulding of India through a narrative of hate connecting meaning to metaphor and some madness and drawing upon imagined or forgotten historical pain and trauma, it is exceptionally startling that Khan powerfully drives an aspiration for a more modern India three decades later.

But even with SRK on the hot seat, Bollywood is no longer dominated by a single superstar. Actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and even Shahid Kapoor have carved niches for themselves. The industry has fragmented with the rise of OTT platforms, where content is king, and star power alone does not guarantee success.

Born into the legendary Kapoor family, Ranbir Kapoor debuted in Saawariya (2007), but the film failed at the box office. He later gained fame from Wake Up Sid, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, and Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. Both Rockstar (2011) and Barfi! Displayed Kapoor's flexibility. Sanju (2018), where he transformed into Sanjay Dutt, was one of his most commercially successful movies. Brahmāstra (2022) and Animal (2023) are his recent successes. These movies have secured his place at the box office.

Ranveer Singh, a Bollywood star, gained great fame because of his authentically raw energy and remarkably transformative performances in multiple films, including Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015), and Padmaavat (2018). He displayed both comedic and dramatic talent across multiple movies, such as Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Gully Boy (2019), and 83 (2021), where he represented cricket legend Kapil Dev. His infectious energy, flexibility, and fearless fashion sense make him a true Bollywood superstar. He has earned that title.

Shahid Kapoor is a well-known actor who began his career as a romantic hero in Ishq Vishk (2003). He gained popularity through films like Vivah (2006) and Jab We Met (2007). Kapoor's acting skills were showcased incredibly in Kaminey (2009); subsequently, his career thoroughly transformed with Haider (2014) and Udta Punjab (2016). His dedication to his craft is evident in Kabir Singh (2019), his biggest commercial success.

New-age actors like Ayushmann Khurrana and Vicky Kaushal exceptionally thrive in content-driven films that challenge conventional stardom. Critics lauded the film 'Chhaava'. They praised the latter's 2025 historical action film for his strong performance. This also symbolises that the country and the choice of audience are changing.

What does the Future Superstar look like?

A combination of evolving industry trends, audience preferences, and cultural shifts will determine the next big star of Hindi cinema, the one to follow, Shah Rukh Khan. Every audience from multiple linguistic and cultural backgrounds will discover a thorough appeal throughout India and the world. Each audience will also find typical attractions.

Like SRK, his charm and persona will become incredibly larger than life as they command a massive international fan base. Flexibility in acting will be necessary, allowing him to change without problems between well-known successes and films commended for content. The performances will be emotionally engaging, strikingly fresh, and compelling, so the general public and educated elite will enjoy them.

In the digital age, building a strong connection with many fans, shaping a narrative, and keeping an authentic public image will allow the next superstar to harness all of social media's power. Because OTT platforms are increasingly popular, he will enthusiastically embrace digital content and theatrical releases to guarantee the content reaches a considerably enormous audience.

A strong personal backstory or an underdog adventure will endear him to the masses and make him relatable, even if he is a superstar. SRK became a legend because of its intense on-screen presence, which will be used as love stories get a new take to redefine romance for modern audiences. He also shows a unique mix of feelings and action, moving smoothly from sweet dramas to exciting action movies.

Cultural authenticity will be another defining trait, for the superstar represents Indian traditions while embracing global sensibilities. He should cultivate common attraction by collaborating with many filmmakers and selecting narratives that mirror India's evolving ambitions. He should be an actor, visionary entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

His presence, featuring plentiful iconic dialogues, many signature expressions, and an unmistakable style, will be adored and mimicked by countless fans. Above all, he will be a completely ageless star, perpetually reinventing himself to remain relevant through all decades, thus leaving behind an extensively continuing legacy in Indian cinema.

The future superstar will also likely be someone who can seamlessly blend mass and class appeal while representing the evolving spirit of India.

The Takeaway

India's superstars evolved along with the country's economic, social, and political adventures. Each generation's definitive superstar descriptively shows the pervading mood of the time, from Rajesh Khanna’s light romantic escapism to Amitabh Bachchan’s intense, angry rebellion, from SRK’s unrestricted liberalised romance to today’s dedicated content-driven actors.

A true superstar reflects the society represented, and while the society will remain the same, new challenges and opportunities will shape Bollywood stardom.

Amitabh Bachchan is still active in the industry. His last appearances were in the hit television game show KBC and the pan-Indian epic mythological science-fiction film Kalki 2898 AD (2024). Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for King and a possible sequel to Pathaan.

While many consider Ranveer Singh on his way to superstardom, Ranbir Kapoor's talent and charisma make him the next superstar. Animal is his highest-grossing film, earning over ₹9 billion, while his debut film, Saawariya, has the lowest nett gross.

Even if the box office numbers are ignored, his off-screen presence, craze, family legacy, and versatility make him a complete package and the next superstar.