Bollywood: Parallel/Second Leads to Popular Actors

They had no Godfathers. They are not the typical chikna Bollywood heroes to garner instant attention and fame a la Shahrukh Khan or Hrithik Roshan. But times are a changing. Viewers are looking for other avenues and taking a note of different movies and different actors. And most of them are only in their thirties. It is lot of achievement too early in life. When mainstream actors take years, these parallel actors are right there at a young age.

Earlier a Parikshit Sahni, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapoor or a Farooq Shaikh were relegated to art or parallel cinema, the situation has changed for the better. Today's breed of parallel actors are gaining in prominence and finding an identity of their own albeit slowly but surely. Their choice of movies is unusual, risky but challenging and garnering appreciation. The movies, that no top star would touch with a barge pole are lapped up by these actors and turn out to be their goldmines.

They are choosing unusual roles away from the naach gaana stuff and still are finding favour with the paying public. Has the movie-going public matured or are they fed up with the run-of-the-mill stuff churned out ad infinitum. Anyways, these new breed of parallel actors offer a refreshing change, the credit for which rests with them alone.

Imagine with no pull or push and making a name in the cut-throat movie industry is a marvel by itself. It is this risk-taking spirit that should be admired and saluted. They have paved the way for other talented but underutilized parallel heroes. Their Bollywood journey is truly marvellous. Keeping track of their achievements, should we say, risk taking reaps benefits in unusual ways.

ARSHAD WARSI (41): Golmaal 3 (2010), Hum Tum Aur Ghost (2010), Ishqiya (2010), Zamaanat (2009), Shortkut - The Con Is On (2009), Ek Se Bure Do (2009), Kisse Pyaar Karoon (2009), Golmaal Returns (2008), Mr. White Mr. Black (2008), Krazzy 4 (2008), Sunday (2008/I), Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007), Dhamaal (2007), Kabul Express (2006), Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), Anthony Kaun Hai? (2006), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005), Chocolate (2005), Salaam Namaste (2005), Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005), Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005), Sehar (2005), Hulchul (2004), Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II (2003), "Karishma: A Miracle of Destiny" (2003), Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002), Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao (2001), Jeetenge Hum (2001), Ghaath (2000), Trishakti (1999), Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999), Hero Hindustani (1998), Mere Do Anmol Ratan (1998), Betaabi (1997), Tere Mere Sapne (1996)

R MADHAVAN (39): Teen Patti (2010), 3 Idiots (2009), 13B: Fear Has a New Address (2009), Sikandar (2009), Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008), Delhii Heights (2007), Guru (2007), That Four-Letter Word (2006), Rang De Basanti (2006), Ramji Londonwaley (2005), Nothing But Life (2004), Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002), Run (2002), Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001 "Badalte Rishte" (1996)

SANJAY SURI (38): Alibaug (2010), Flat (2010), Anubhav (2009), Sikandar (2009), Sorry, Bhai! (2008), Firaaq (2008), Speed (2007), Say Salaam India: 'Let's Bring the Cup Home' (2007), Bas Ek Pal (2006), My Bollywood Bride (2006), Home Delivery: Aapko... Ghar Tak (2005), My Brother... Nikhil (2005), Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004), Insaaf: The Justice (2004), Plan (2004), Dhoop (2003), Jhankaar Beats (2003), Pinjar (2003), Chalo Ishq Ladaaye (2002), Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002), Filhaal... (2002), Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence (2001), Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (2000), Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999)

RAHUL KHANNA (37): Earth (1998), Bawandar (2008), 3 AM (2001), Bollywood/Hollywood (2002), The Emperor's Club (2002), Elaan (2005), Raqeeb (2007), Tahaan (2008), Dil Kabaddi (2008), Love Aaj Kal (2009), Wake Up Sid (2009)

RANVIR SHOREY (37): I Am 24 (2009), Raat Gayi Baat Gayi (2009), Do Knot Disturb (2009), Thanks Maa (2009), Quick Gun Murugun (2009), Chandni Chowk to China (2009), A Rectangular Love Story (2009), Mumbai Cutting (2009), Dasvidaniya (2008), 8 (2008), Singh Is Kinng (2008), Ugly Aur Pagli (2008), Sirf....: Life Looks Greener on the Other Side (2008), Mithya (2008), Aaja Nachle (2007), No Smoking (2007), Buddha Mar Gaya (2007), Bheja Fry (2007), Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007), Traffic Signal (2007), Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006), Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006), Shiva (2006), Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota: What If...? (2006), Mixed Doubles (2006), The Film (2005), Hum Dum (2005), "The Great Indian Comedy Show" (2004), Lakshya (2004), Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II (2003), Freaky Chakra (2003), Jism (2003), Ek Chhotisi Love Story (2002)

FARHAN AKHTAR (36): The Fakir Of Venice (2008), Rock On! (2008), Luck By Chance (2009), Karthik Calling Karthik (2010), Gulel (2010), Kismat Talkies (2010), Dhruv (2010)

ASHISH CHAUDHARY (c. 35): Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai (2010), Three: Love, Lies, Betrayal (2009), Paying Guests (2009), Kisse Pyaar Karoon (2009), Daddy Cool (2009), EMI: Liya Hai To Chukana Padega (2008), Bhoothnath (2008), Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa (2008), Kabhi Bhi Kahin Bhi (2008), Speed (2007), Dhamaal (2007), Teesri Aankh: The Hidden Camera (2006), Fight Club: Members Only (2006), The White Land (2005), Let's Enjoy (2004), Girlfriend (2004), Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004), Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003), Love at Times Square (2003), Chalo America (1999), Humko Ishq Ne Mara (1997)

PARVIN DABAS (35): Alibaug (2010), My Name Is Khan (2010), The Good Friday (2009), Y.M.I. Yeh Mera India (2008), Via Darjeeling (2008), Sirf....: Life Looks Greener on the Other Side (2008), Secrets of the Seven Sounds (2008), The World Unseen (2007), With Luv... Tumhaara (2006), Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006), The Memsahib (2006), The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (2006), Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005), "Sarabhai vs Sarabhai" (2005), Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005), Yehi Hai Zindagi (2005), Muskaan (2004), Wrong Number (2003), The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003), The Perfect Husband (2003), Monsoon Wedding (2001), Tapish (2000), Dillagi (1999)

ABHAY DEOL (34): Socha Na Tha (2005), Ahista Ahista (2005), Meridian Lines (2007), Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd (2007), Ek Chalis Ki Last Local (2007), Mamorama Six Feet Under (2007), Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), Dev D (2009), Road. Movie (2010), Aisha (2010), Gulel (2010), Basra (2010)

SHARMAN JOSHI (30): Golmaal 3 (2010), Allah Ke Banday (2010), Toh Baat Pakki! (2010), 3 Idiots (2009), Sorry, Bhai! (2008), Hello (2008), Dhol (2007), Raqeeb (2007), Life in a Metro (2007), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Rang De Basanti (2006), Shaadi No. 1 (2005), Xcuse Me (2003), Kahan Ho Tum (2003), Style (2001), Lajja (2001), Godmother (1999)

MANDIRA BEDI (37): 42 Kms. (2009), Meerabai Not Out (2008), Dus Kahaniyaan (2007), Divorce: Not Between Husband and Wife (2005), Naam Gum Jaayega (2005), "Sarabhai vs Sarabhai" (2005), Bali (2004), Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004), Manmadhan (2004), Badal (2000), "Kyunki... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi..." (1999), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), "Shanti" (1994)

PERIZAAD ZORABIAN (36): Y.M.I. Yeh Mera India (2008), Exitz (2007), Just Married: Marriage Was Only the Beginning! (2007), Highway 203 (2007), Ek Ajnabee (2005), Devaki (2005), Morning Raga (2004), Dhoom (2004), Mumbai Matinee (2003), Joggers' Park (2003), Namaste: Say Hello to ... Love (2002), Bollywood Calling (2001), Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye (1998)

KONKANA SEN SHARMA (30): Iti Mrinalini (2010), Mirch (2009), Right Ya Wrong (2010), Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge (2010), Wake Up Sid (2009), Luck by Chance (2009), The President Is Coming (2009), Dil Kabaddi (2008), 8 (2008), Aaja Nachle (2007), Laaga Chunari Mein Daag: Journey of a Woman (2007), Life in a Metro (2007), Traffic Signal (2007), Meridian Lines (2007), Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante (2006), Omkara (2006), Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota: What If...? (2006), Dosar (2006), Mixed Doubles (2006), 15 Park Avenue (2005), Karkat Rashi (2005), Page 3 (2005), Amu (2005), Chai Pani Etc. (2004), Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002), Titli (2002), Ek Je Aachhe Kanya (2000), Amodini (1994), Picnic (1989), Indira (1983)