Journalism of Courage
Hindi cinema in the 1980s was mostly masala entertainers, with lots of 'maar-dhaar', drama and over-the-top acting. Adding beauty and grace to the mix were the stunning heroines who stole hearts with their 'adaas' and style. From the chulbuli Sridevi to the girl-next-door Neelam, here is the list of Bollywood heroines from the decade who continue to rule the hearts of millions.
Daughter of actor Jagdish Raj-famous for playing cop in many movies in 60-70s, Anita Raj made her debut opposite Raj Babbar in Prem Geet. The movie is remembered for Jagjit Singh's hit Ghazal Hothon Se Choo Lo Tum. (Express Archive Photo)
Anita Raj did several films in the 80s opposite top stars like Govinda, Jeetendra and Mithun Chakrovorthy. She was last seen on Anil Kapoor's TV series 24. (Express Archive Photo)
Amrita Singh's amazing debut opposite Suny Deol in Betab was followed by blockbusters like Mard (opposite Amitabh Bachchan), Saheb and Naam. The bubbly actor, however, was much appreciated for her comic timing in Chameli Ki Shaadi. She also surprised all with her villainous roles in Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Aaina, for which she won her only filmfare award. (Express Archive Photo)
Amrita Singh took a break from the films after Aaina and made a comeback in 2002 biopic on Bhagat Singh - 23rd March 1931: Shaheed. She was last seen as Arjun Kapoor's mother in 2 States. (Express Archive Photo)
Jaya Prada was introduced to Bollywood by director K Viswanath in Sargam (1979), a Hindi remake of Siri Siri Muvva. She made a successful team with Amitabh Bachchan and Jeetendra. She also acted in about a dozen films, including Tohfa, with her immediate screen rival Sridevi. (Express Archive Photo)
In 1994, Jaya Prada entered politics and joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) at the invitation of its founder, N. T. Rama Rao. However, after differences with party N Chandrababu Naidu, she left the TDP to join Samajwadi Party. She was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Rampur from 2004 to 2014. (Express Archive Photo)
The Jumma Chumma girl, 'Kimi Katkar' was among the hottest actresses in the 80s. She made a sensational debut in semi-adult film Tarzan opposite Hemant Birje. This was followed by films like Vardi, Mard Ki Zubaan, Mera Lahoo, Dariya Dil, Gair Kanooni, Jaisi Karni Vaisi Bharni, Sherdil and Zulm Ki Hukumat. (Express Archive Photo)
However, Hum (1991) opposite Amitabh Bachchan proved to be the biggest blockbuster of her career. Kimi Katkar's last film was Humlaa (1992). (Above) Kimi Katkar and Rishi Kapoor in film SHERDIL. (Express Archive Photo)
Meenakshi Seshadri made her film debut in Painter Babu (1983). However, she received wider public recognition with the Subhash Ghai directed Hero in 1983 opposite Jackie Shroff. (Express Archive Photo)
Meenakshi Seshadri then worked in several films in 80s, including Meri Jung (1985), Dacait (1987), Inaam Dus Hazaar (1987), Shahenshah (1988), Jurm (1990) and Ghayal (1990). However, the defining role of her career came in 1993 in Raj Kumar Santoshi's Damini, which also starred Sunny Deol and Rishi Kapoor. The role became her identity. (Express Archive Photo)
Neelam made her acting debut opposite Govinda in Ilzaam (1986). The duo then went on to work together in several blockbusters including Love 86 (1986), Sindoor (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Hatya (1988). (Express Archive Photo)
Neelam also played Amitabh's sister in 1990 classic Agneepath. Neelam married Rishi Sethia, son of a businessman from the UK. Their marriage was short-lived. In 2011, she married actor Samir Soni. (Express Archive Photo)
Padmini Kolhapure began her career as a child artist in some of the biggest hits like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Insaf Ka Tarazu. She debuted a s a heroine at the age of 15 in Nasir Hussain's Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai opposite Rishi Kapoor. (Express Archive Photo)
Raj Kapoor then cast Padmini Kolhapure in Prem Rog in 1982. The film earned her a Filmfare Best Actress Award. Some of her hit films include, Wo Saat Din, Pyar Jhukta Nahi, Vidhaata. (Express Archive Photo)
After making her do small appearance in Kala Patthar and Trishul, Yash Chopra launched her in Noorie in 1979 oopposite Farooq Sheikh. Poonam Dhillon was the cutest face of Bollywood in the 80s.
Poonam Dhillon has acted in around 90 films, including Sohni Mahiwal, Red Rose, Teri Kasam, Yeh Vada Raha, Samunder, Romance, Kasam, and Sitamgar. She appeared in six films with yesteryear superstar Rajesh Khanna. She was also a contestant in Bigg Boss season 3.
After a successful stint in south Indian films, Rati Agnihotri became an overnight star in Bollywood with a grand debut as Kamal Hassan's leading lady in Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981). (Express Archive Photo)
Rati Agnihotri then starred in over 43 Hindi films including Dilip Kumar starrer Majdoor (1982), Coolie (1983) opposite megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Tawaif (1985) for which she received her second Filmfare nomination as Best Actress, and Hukumat (1987) opposite Dharmendra. (Express Archive Photo)
