Journalism of Courage
A lot is being talked about how Salman Khan has been paired against Sonam Kapoor, almost half his age, in the recent film 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo'. For the massive Salman fan club, though, the logic is simple -- their star is timeless. In fact, if one were to take a look at the past 25 years, since Salman Khan first set foot into the Indian film industry with Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989, countless heroes and heroines have made their debuts and even quit the industry thereafter. Here are 15 Bollywood actors and actresses -- in a chronological manner --who came after the Dabangg star, but haven't stayed as long. We bet some of these names will surprise you.
We all remember 'Neelam' of 'The Neelam Show' from the movie 'Kuch Kuch Hota hai'. The actor made her debut with Ilzaam in 1986 against Govinda. She was in seen in Sooraj Barjatya's multi-starrer 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' in which Salman also played a lead role. Her last film was, in-fact, 'Deewangee' which was released in 2002. Source: Express Archives
Shilpa Shirodker made her debut with the 1989 film 'Bhrashtachar' and is also remembered for her role in 'Kishan Kanhaiya' against Anil Kapoor. The actor wasn't seen much in movies after 2000. Source: Express Archives
Anu Agarwal was much in demand after she made her debut with Aashiqui in 1990 but wasn't seen on-screen much. She is also remembered for her role in Jackie Shroff starrer 'King Uncle'. Source: Express Archives
Rahul Roy made his debut in 1990-film Aashiqui and then went on to act in many films, which may not have been blockbusters but were average performers. But in the past 10 years, Roy's bollywood presence has gone unnoticed with films like 'Phir Tauba Tauba' and 'Adaa... A Way of Life'. Source: Express Archives
Pooja Bhatt made her big screen debut in 1991 with 'Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin' and gave a few hits like 'Zakhm' and 'Sadak'. Again, the actor's active career ended by 2001. Source: Express Archives
Well, even well-known actor Sunil Shetty came after Salman. Shetty did his first film in 1992, titled 'Balwaan', and went on to to do popular films such as Hu Tu Tu, Hera Pheri, Awara Pagal Deewana, Kaante and Dhadkan. It would be incorrect to say that he is a faint memory, but last few years have definitely not seen the actor grace the silver screen. Source: Express Archives
Sonali Bendre first acted in 'Aag' (1994) opposite Govinda, which was a flop but the actor went on to give commendable performances in future with films like 'Sarfarosh' and 'Zakhm'. Later she got into television and judged many reality shows, including 'Indian Idol' and 'India's Got Talent'. Source: Express Archives
Bobby Deol made his debut in 1995 with Barsaat, and though his name pops up in the occasional Deol family productions, the once very popular hero has lost his initial sheen. The last film people he is remember for is 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2' (2013), but he also did 'Singh Saab The Great' the same year, which many have probably not heard of. Source: Express Archives
Chandrachur Singh is known for his role in 1996-film 'Maachis', but he made his debut in Tere Mere Sapne in 1996. He film repertoire mostly consists of supporting actor roles, which he is still continuing with, but these are nowhere near the kind of lead roles he had bagged in the 1990s. Most recently, he was seen in Zilla Gaziabad (2011) and 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist' (2013). Source: Express Archives
When the model-turned-actor Himanshu Malik was first recognized in 2003 for his film 'Khwahish', there was a lot of hullabaloo about who the hunk is, but he had already made his debut in 1996 with 'Kama Sutra- A tale of love'. He was also seen in 'Tum Bin' (2001) but couldn't hit the limelight after that. His last film was 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' (2011). Source: Express Archives
This model-turned-actor Pooja Batra is known for her role in Anil Kapoor-starrer 'Virasat' in 1997, which was also her debut film. Since then she was mostly seen doing supporting roles. The actor was recently seen in Any Body Can Dance 2. Source: Express Archives
Anjala Zaveri was reportedly discovered by veteran actor Vinod Khanna and made her debut in 1997 with Himalay Putra, but she is remembered for her role in Salman Khan-Kajol starrer Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya. Zaveri did quite well in Tollywood but wasn't seen in Bollywood after 2005-film 'Nigehbaan'. Source: Express Archives
On a technicality, Akshaye Khanna will reportedly be seen in a 2016 film called 'Dishoom', but for many the actor has sadly become a has-been already, with his last appearance in the 2012 film 'Gali Gali Chor Hai', which fizzled at the Box Office. He made his debut in 1997 with Himalay Putra but is remembered for his roles in Hulchul, Taal, Dil Chahta Hai, Hungama and Gandhi, My Father. Unless Dishoom turns out to be a blockbuster, Khanna has well-earned a place in this list. Source: Express Archives
Namrata Shirodkar has done many popular films including 'Vaastav', Astitva, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, LOC Kargil, but she made her debut in 1998 with a small role in Salman Khan-starrer 'Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai'. She has mostly acted in supporting roles, but gave up acting completely after marrying Tollywood star Mahesh Babu. Source: Express Archives
Priyanshu Chatterjee made his debut in 2001 with the romantic drama 'Tum Bin' but could only manage supporting roles later on. He has been doing Bengali films but his bollywood presence seems to have come to a stand still. Source: Express Archives
