From Zero to Hero – 10 Self made Bollywood stars

Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan was born and brought up in a south Indian family in Mumbai but she had no connections with Bollywood. At the age of sixteen, Vidya Balan starred in the first season of Ekta Kapoor’s sitcom Hum Paanch as Radhika, a bespectacled teenager. Vidya Balan appeared in approximately sixty television commercials and in music videos for Euphoria and Shubha Mudgal.

Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh is one of the self-made actor in Bollywood. He used to work as a copywriter with agencies like O&M and J. Walter Thompson. He used to go for all kinds of auditions, but did not get any good opportunities, while only getting calls for minor roles: "Everything was so bleak. It was very frustrating. There were times I would think whether I was doing the right thing or not." Today, he is one of the successful star in Bollywood.

Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar is one of the self-made superstars of Bollywood. From childhood Akshay was interested in martial art and obtained a black belt in Taekwondo. After having obtained a black belt in Taekwondo, he studied martial arts in Bangkok, Thailand, where he learned Muay Thai and also worked as a chef and waiter at a restaurant. Today he is the highest – paid actors in the world.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai who won the title of Miss World in 1994 is also from a non-filmy, traditional South-Indian family. With stunning looks, she worked hard to make her name in Bollywood as well as Hollywood. She will be next seen in Sanjay Gupta's 'Jazbaa'.

Siddharth Malhotra

Siddharth Malhotra wanted to become an actor but he started his career with modeling and then he worked as assistant director to Karan Johar. He belongs to educated family, where his father is a doctor and his mother is a school principal.

Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone is the daughter of the badminton player Prakash Padukone. Being girl of badminton champion, nothing unexpected that she has played badminton at national level as well. But she gave up her badminton career to become fashion model. However, her luck changed things and made her Bollywood debut with Om Shanti Om and achived many Film Fare Awards. In the short span of her career, the actress has made a mark with her successful films and outstanding performances.

Irrfan Khan

Irrfan Khan is one of the finest actor in Hindi industry and now he is doing well in Hollywood also. At one point of time, he did not have enough money to watch Jurassic Park in a hall but today he has acted in several Hollywood movies. He is an inspiration, an icon for upcoming stars. The actor is known for his down to earth behavior and easy going nature.

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra born and brought up in an army family. This Bollywood diva proved her powers in the fields of modelling, acting, singing and still a reining star, without any filmy connection. She not only earned recognition in Bollywood but also Hollywood.

Shah Rukh Khan

The simple yet talented guy came to Mumbai and entered Bollywood with his first film offer with Hema Malini’s directorial debut Dil Aashna Hai. However, Deewana was released before and SRK marked his debut with the film. Since then, he worked very hard to make his Khan as King Khan. He taught us that stardom cannot be achieved overnight and dreams do come true.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the son of a farmer from Buldhana district of Uttar Pradesh who worked hard to achieve the status in Bollywood. He also worked as a watchman at night after rehearsals at National School Of Drama in Delhi. He faced a lot of struggle and hardships during his initial days in Mumbai. From playing a 40-second side role to playing the lead, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has made his mark in the film industry with his performance. His recent biopic ‘Manjhi – The Mountain Man’ where he played the titular role, has bought much acclaim and appreciation to the man who once worked as a watchman. Nawazuddin has proved his excellence time and again by playing a variety of roles and charming the audiences with his acting skills.