The era of 2000s Bollywood brought some fresh faces to the industry. Actors introduced then remain to be the recognized and most loved faces even after two decades. The 2000s significantly marked the era of romantic films and new ideas along with it. It portrayed love stories along with some different genres simultaneously.
- Hrithik Roshan
When it’s about the 2000s the name which poops into the mind is Hrithik Roshan the ultimate heartthrob also known as Greek god till date. Hrithik Roshan son of Rakesh Roshan is known for playing varied roles and his extraordinary dancing skills. The actor bagged the Filmfare award as a best debut male for his landmark film “kaho na pyaar hai” and is still remembered for it. He started off as a child actor collaborating with his father in the 1980s era but his first leading role which became a box office success was “kaho na pyaar hai” in the year 2000. Followed by his very charming role as Rohan in “kabhi Khushi khabhi gham” in the year 2001 which was another blockbuster hit. The series of awards for the actor didn’t stop as he conquered the black lady yet again as a best actor twice for his benchmarking performance as Rohit in “Koi mil gaya”( 2003) and “Dhoom 2” (2006). As a result of the commercial success of “koi mil gaya” “krrish”(2006) franchise was started which happened to be the sequel of “koi mil gaya”. The first decade of his career turned out to be in his favor with quite a number of blockbusters from his side. Unforgettable roles played by the actor included “Guzarish” which found its place in international film festivals and “Jodha Akbar”. Two decades later Hrithik Roshan has kept up with his fame and prominence in the industry. The actor even got married to Suzanne at the beginning of his career but still remained to be the most desireable.
- Shahid Kapoor.
The 2000s introduced Shahid Kapoor, the chocolate boy turned rebel with his phenomenal role in “Udta Punjab ” and “Kabir Singh”. Though being seen on the big screen as a background, Shahid Kapoor kick started his Bollywood career in the year 2003 with “Ishq Vishk ” with which he bagged the Best Debut male Filmfare award. Shahid Kapoor son of veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor faced a lot of up and downs during the initial times of his career with a number of blockbusters and flops. He can be named as those actors who have built their own destiny from struggler to a winner with his hard work and perseverance. People fell in love with ‘Aditya’ from the classic “Jab we Met” played by Shahid Kapoor opposite Kareena Kapoor the everlasting duo. Jab we met became his identity as the charming and innocent talent in b-town. This image was maintained until the actor played the double role in blockbuster “Kaminey” as ‘Guddu’ and ‘Charlie’. He became the face of quite a few brands of shampoo and skin care line during that period of time. The actor turned out to be the guy next door with whom people relate and he still remains to be so.
- Irrfan Khan.
A talented veteran star gone too soon, Irrfan khan also started his astounding journey in the 2000s. He made his film debut with a small role in “Salaam Bombay” after which he followed years of struggle. The National Award winning, Padma Shri actor had his breakthrough after starring in the British film “The Warrior”, with roles in the dramas “Haasil”(2003) and “Maqbool” (2004). Khan became well recognized after playing these unforgettable roles. He gained critical acclaim for his role in the masterpiece “The Namesake” in 2006. After which his career escalated and he became a part of realistic movies which became his identity, starting off with “Life in a Metro” (2007) which hit the charts of blockbuster films. Having starred in Academy Award winning “Slumdog Millionaire”(2008) khan became universally acclaimed, after which he starred in Hollywood films like “life of Pi”, “Jurassic World” and “Inferno”. Irrfan Khan has given Bollywood most of its promising through his entire lifetime reaching out to the hearts of all his audiences. The demise of the veteran actor is one of the greatest losses which Bollywood has ever faced, thus the actor lives within the hearts of all his fans.
- Abhishek Bachchan.
Abhishek Bachchan son of the great Amitabh Bachchan also paved his way to Bollywood in the early 2000s. His debut film was JP Dutta’s Refugee released in the year 2000. Abhishek Bachchan is known to be an actor, producer, singer and an entrepreneur. He gained critical acclaim for benchmarking performance in “Yuva”(2004) as an angsty young goon. The actor had received the best supporting actor male for his remarkable role in “Sarkar ”(2005). Followed by some interesting roles played by him in film like multi starrer “Kabhi alvida na Kehna”(2006), “Bunty aur Babli”(2005) “Dostana”(2008) and “Paa”(2009) which was a National Award winning film. Junior Bachchan will always be remembered for his leading role in the “Dhoom” franchise. Needless to mention “Right here Right Now” from the film “Bluffmaster” where the actor tried his chances in rapping and hit all the right notes. Facing a bit of a downfall in between the actor is now back with a bang in recent times with his promising roles in low budget film and web series and was last seen in Anurag Basu’s pot boiler “Ludo” playing Bittu.
- John Abraham.
One of the most successful male models in India John Abraham became the dashing new face in the 2000s. His big break came when he entered Gladrags Manhunt Competition (1999). John won Gladrags Manhunt and went on to compete internationally for Gladrags Manhunt in Philippines and bagged the runner up position. As a result of this he picked up a lot of modelling assignments and became the highest paid supermodel in India. Being the most wanted model star, he started off his Bollywood career with an erotic and emotional film “Jism” in 2003 unlike other debut male actors. Though the film did not do well but the actor was recognized and accepted whole heartedly. His first commercial film was “Dhoom” (2004) which did beautifully at the box office. Initially the actor faced a lot of down in his acting career with films like “Saaya” and “Paap”(2003) where Dhoom added a breakthrough. Followed my films like “Baabul”(2006) where he was nominated for best supporting actor male, “Garam Masala”(2005), Taxi no 9211(2006), “New York”( 2009) which did quite well in the box office.
- Emraan Hashmi.
Emraan Hashmi started off the Bollywood career in the 2000s as well, with his debut film crime thriller “Footpath”(2003)which did moderately in the box office. The actor had worked as an Assistant Director in the year 2002 for the film Raaz. The actor had established himself as the highest paid actor in Indian Cinemas. During his initial times the actor had bagged the position of being the leading actor in most of the films which did successfully. Films like “Murder”(2004), “Zeher”(2005) and “Gangster”(2006). After which the actor became a part of some films which under performed in the box office but his role was praised in “Awarapan”(2007). In the year 2008 the film “Jannat” became a turning point for Emraan Hashmi which brought him back on the map and from then the actor didn’t face a downfall.
- Arjun Rampal.
Arjun Rampal started off his career as a model and was proclaimed as the “Society’s face of the year” in 1994 who later on became and Indian supermodel. He was a debutant in the 2000s, his biggest break was given by Director- producer Rajiv Rai with “Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat” in 2001. Though the film did not perform at the box office, Arjun managed to pave his way to the people’s hearts. After which the actor found his way to a series of flop romances. Arjun Rampal was again recognized by his role in “Don”(2006) after struggling for a few years. He is remembered for his promising role in “Rock On” for which he bagged the National Award for best supporting actor male later on. Next he was found play a negative role in Farah Khan Directed blockbuster “Om Shanti Om” against Shah Rukh Khan. The actor even toured as a Heartthrob in later years and was even critically acclaimed for his remarkable performance in “DDay”(2013)
- Vivek Oberoi & Arshad Warsi.
Vivek Oberoi and Arshad Warsi also came into prominence during the 2000s. Though Arshad Warsi started in 1996 with “Tere Mere Sapne” which was a box office success he was recognized as ‘Circuit’ in “Munna Bhai MBBS” in 2006. After which the actor became a part of the blockbuster hit “Golmaal” franchise directed by Rohit Shetty. Vivek Oberoi’s debut film was “Company”(2002) which was a big break provided to him followed by blockbuster “Saathiya”(2002) opposite Rani Mukerjee, the actor is still acclaimed for his role in “Saathiya” for his promising role.
The era of 2000s also provided the industry with some leading ladies of bollywood who successfully hit the box off till date. The 2000s was hit a lot of new faces in bollywood who broke the conventions of Indian cinema, the female leads played roles which were unlike the female actors in bollywood who have been acting for ages.
1. Kareena Kapoor Khan
The ultimate starkid of that era Kareena Kapoor khan daughter of Randhir kapoor and Babita who started of her career along with Abhishek Bachchan which happened to be a war film “Refugee”. She was immediately recognized after her debut after which she became a part melodrama “Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham” and gave India the most sensational character “Poo” who is still a diva. “Chameli” in the year 2004 became her turning point where she played the most unconventional role of a sex worker breaking all stereotypes for Bollywood actresses. She played an iconic role in “Omkara”(2006) which is still remembered. The 2007 became another stepping stone for her as she played “Geet” the bubbly carefree girl who lives her dreams in “Jab We Met” opposite Shahid Kapoor. Geet became another sensational character to whom young girls still relate. Which led to the most controversial breakup of bollywood Shahid and Kareena, leading to Kareena Kapoor becoming Kareena Kapoor Khan as she married Saif Ali Khan. Bebo of bollywood still ramains the most loved diva for the audiences.
2. Priyanka Chopra Jonas
The global star Priyanka Chopra was also a gift of 2000 to the industry. Her career started off in the year 2000 when she was crowned Miss World. Priyanka Chopra is among the most popular entertainers in India and one of the highest paid stars of bollywood. Her debut film was in the year 2003 “The Hero: Love story of a spy” which did not do well in the box office. After which she played the female lead in box office hits “Andaaz(2003) and “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi”(2004). Then came the turning point of her career for which she got critically acclaimed, playing the negative role in the 2004 thriller “Aitrazz”. She also received the National Award in the Best Actress category for Madhur Bhandarkar’s “Fashion”(2008). She became a Global Star playing a role in the Hollywood thriller series “Quantico” and comedies like “Baywatch”. though being a global star she still has her roots fixed to bollywood where her career started off.
