Ayushmann, Rajkummar, Vicky, Taapsee, Richa, Pankaj – 6 actors who defied the norms in Bollywood in the last decade

Actors who defied mainstream norms and redefined cinema in the last decade are plenty. The decade has been full of little gems as each of them has shifted the understanding of what counts as massy and commercial. Some actors, more than the others, have changed the expectation of a mainstream leading man whereas others have helped cull out a new brand of fearless artistes. As the decade is coming to a draw, we doff our hats to the shapeshifters who have defied norms of what’s considered commercial and what sells.

Ayushmann Khurrana

 

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When he started off with Vicky Donor, he was considered off-beat. And today, he is considered a genre of his own, a man who symbolises disruptive content that stands for its quality. Known to have the ability to identify bold scripts, Ayushmann with films like Shubh Mangal Savdhaan, Article 15 and Andhadhun changed the parameters of what works and established how the audience’s idea of the mainstream commercial actor is vastly different from before.

Rajkummar Rao

 

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Truly a game-changer in every sense of the term, Rao is a crossover artiste who made it possible for actors to get recognised as bonafide stars. An indie actor, so as to say essentially, with fantastic films like Newton, Shahid and Trapped to his credit, Rao made the shift with last year’s humungous hit Stree that broke into the 100 crore club. Known to back great cinema, Rao is a solid actor who knows the pulse of the audience right. Never fearful of taking up challenging roles, some not entirely focused on him, here’s a man who is all about backing great films.

Richa Chadha

 

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Till her, it was almost appalling that a mainstream Hindi film heroine could age as effortlessly on screen. With Gangs of Wasseypur, Richa became synonymous with smashing norms. She continued the streak with a role like Devi’s in Masaan and ultimately it was Fukrey’s Bholi Punjaaban that became memorable only because of impeccable comic timing and her ability to deliver humour with such robustness. She has constantly changed perceptions with her daring choices. Way before OTT shows became as much of rage, the actress took up leading part in Inside Edge which became India’s first-ever Amazon Prime release paving the way for many more to join the expanding content scenario.

Taapsee Pannu

 

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Though she made her debut with a film like Chashme Badoor, no one saw the real potential of Taapsee Pannu and her brand of cinema till Pink happened. And since then, she has practically been on a roll backing movies that has turned the image of a Hindi film heroine upside down. A demure woman who likes to be the hero’s arm candy, dancing around trees – Tapsee, much like Richa has created her own niche that shows women in the real light of strength and vulnerability.

Vicky Kaushal

 

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Kicking off his career with Masaan, Vicky Kaushal’s career trajectory is what dreams are made of. The actor steadily made the shift from a character actor to a leading man by outshining himself in every film. Be it as Ranbir Kapoor’s best friend in Sanju to Alia Bhatt’s husband in Raazi, the actor is known for his earnestness and sincerity. When Uri became an unlikely success, catapulting him into the big league, it was only well-deserved to say the man-made it with sheer hard work.

Pankaj Tripathi

 

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A 40-year-old actor is at best considered for father’s characters in Hindi movies but when Pankaj Tripathi broke into Bollywood, the rules of the game changed. A fine actor who has proven how integral he is to the larger storytelling in each of his movies, Tripathi earned love and adulation from the most unexpected quarters. Who would believe that the man in no time became the internet’s darling, people raving about his wisdom? Giving his acting prowess, directors and writers staring creating special parts for him in movies just to use him to elevate their material. Such is the power of a good actor and that’s what Pankaj changed about this industry.

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