Bollywood is often guilty of stereotyping actors in the roles that made them a star— be it Amzad Khan portraying the OG villain role of Gabbar Singh in Sholay, or Amitabh Bachchan playing the role of an angry young man for over a decade in various hit films. And, even now, with the movies exploring more genres and getting increasingly creative— many actors fall into the trap of being typecast for similar roles in all movies that they are offered. Let’s have a look at the 10 most stereotyped Bollywood actors.
Also Read: Most Emotional Scenes From Bollywood Movies That Give You A Good Cry
1. Jimmy Shergill
Jimmy Shergill became the nation’s crush after the film ‘Mohabbatein’ was released. But, thereafter, his career did not take off as expected. And, much later, he got many memorable roles. Unfortunately, he wasn’t ever the lead hero in the film he was the ‘other guy’ who was always a green flag but still never got the girl! Hopefully, we will soon get to see him in more versatile roles, and also in lead roles.
2. Ronit Roy
I still remember how avidly I watched a show named ‘Adaalat’ where Ronit Roy played the role of a confident, and shrewd lawyer who solved a complex murder case in each episode. And, not just that, Ronit Roy has done many memorable roles. But, once he played the role of an angry father— and then he got stuck there. Bollywood loved casting him in the role of an angry father who is not able to understand the emotions of his grown-up son. Be it ‘2 States’, or ‘Udaan’, he was always angry.
3. Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Nawazuddin Siddiqui had a lot of struggles as an artist, from doing a minor role of a thief in Munna Bhai MBBS to getting chunky villainous, and even lead roles in mainstream films— he has come a long way. Although, ever since getting recognition from the film ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, he got bombarded with many film offers. And, viewers loved him in his gangster avatar. But, after a while, they seem repetitive. So, we need to see him in more roles like that of the journalist Chand Nawab in the movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
4. Sanjay Kapoor
Sanjay Kapoor is a jolly and funny guy— be it in a film or in real life fr! But, he can also portray emotions like pain, separation, and hurt, and belongs to a middle-class background as well. But, no! Bollywood has typecasted him in the role of a rich clueless guy who is living in his own world and the world is taking care of the rest of the affairs! Even in the recently released films like ‘Merry Christmas’ he was rich and certainly clueless about all the drama and even murder that was taking place around him.
5. Ritesh Deshmukh
Ritesh is more than people perceive him, and we learned about his talent and versatility only when he acted as a gruesome and psychopathic villain in the movie ‘Ek Villian’. Before this film, Bollywood typecasted him as the funny guy who can make us laugh hysterically ( well, we don’t deny that). But, it was surprisingly pleasant to see this guy giving us chills with his performance as a serial killer. He knows how to make us laugh, cry, and be scared.
6. Vijay Raaz
Vijay Raaz is forever iconic. His ‘Kuwwa Biryani’ and the calm demeanor in the movie ‘Dhamaal’ with which he gave us a laughter riot are unforgettable. He can deliver his dialogue with a straight face and make us laugh! And, he is not your friendly neighbor, but a deadly villain who will make you laugh with his antiques. However, in recent times, he has broken his stereotypical image and getting to play many dynamic roles.
7. Deepak Dobriyal
Deepak Dobriyal has got such a positive vibe around him that you can cast him in any role and he will still remain our favorite. Be it emotional scenes, or comic dialogues— he never fails to amaze us. But, ever since he played roles of the lead hero’s friend in films like ‘Hindi Medium’, and ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, audiences loved him as a friendly face alongside the main lead. And, therefore, he was seen doing the same kinds of roles one after the other.
8. Pawan Malhotra
Pawan Malhotra is a guy who has acted in multiple different roles— expressing all kinds of emotions under the sun. He is impressive, and we do praise him for his realistic portrayals. However, he was stereotyped as a sardaar as people forgot to give him roles where he had changed his look! They found people loving him as an understanding sikh who always somehow plays an internal part in the lead character’s life.
9. Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt or Sanju Baba once played a ‘Khalnayak’ and the viewers went berserk! Ever since that day, Bollywood started playing safe with him and gave many anti-hero or villainous roles. Even in films like ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’, where he was the lead hero— he was a goon with a sidekick named Circuit. A lot of time has passed since then, but he is constantly portraying the role of a villain in films (now, in South Indian films too). Hoping to see him play something different for change— what do you say?
10. Seema Pahwa
Seema Pahwa has such a friendly aura, and she looks like such a desi mom, right? But, she is a versatile actress who can portray all kinds of characters effortlessly. She proved it through her role in Gangubai Kathiwadi. However, she is more popular as a brown mom who worries about her daughter who has come of age and she needs to be married as soon as possible. Her comic timing and expressions are always on point and we expect to see her in more diverse roles in the future.
So, that was all folks. There are many more actors that Bollywood has stereotyped. Tell us what names you think we should have also included. And let’s wait for them to shatter the stereotype and surprise us with their new roles!