Bollywood has always been a place of aspirations, and more and more, actors from tiny towns are making their goals come true. From Ali Fazal to Manoj Bajpayee, here are the inspirational stories of small-town performers who made it big in Bollywood:
Irrfan Khan
It is very remarkable how Irrfan Khan went from being a youngster from a small hamlet in Rajasthan to being a superstar all over the world. His performances in critically acclaimed films like 'Maqbool', 'Slumdog Millionaire' and 'The Lunchbox' established him as a leading actor of his time.
Pankaj Tripathi
An inspiration to many, Pankaj Tripathi rose from humble beginnings in a town in Bihar to become a Bollywood star. His serious parts and comedic timing have made him one of Bollywood's best character performers. He has appeared in films like 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'Mirzapur' and 'Bareilly Ki Barfi'.
Ali Fazal
A small-town boy from Lucknow, Ali Fazal quickly made his mark in Bollywood. From his roles in ‘Fukrey’ and ‘Mirzapur’ to his international appearances in ‘Victoria & Abdul’, Ali’s versatility and charm have taken him places far beyond the borders of Bollywood.
Manoj Bajpayee
Born in a small town in Bihar, Manoj Bajpayee carved a niche for himself in Bollywood with gritty, powerful performances. His iconic roles in Satya, The Family Man, and Aligarh have earned him critical acclaim, numerous awards, and a reputation as one of Bollywood’s most respected actors.
Rajkummar Rao
The rise of Rajkummar Rao to Bollywood stardom from a little village in Haryana is an inspiration. His breakout performances in 'Queen', 'Newton', and 'Stree' showcased his impressive acting range.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Nawazuddin Siddiqui's climb to stardom was long and winding, beginning in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. But he persevered and, in the end, he broke through. He cemented his status as one of the most influential performers of his age with his performances in 'Sacred Games' and 'Gangs of Wasseypur'.
Jaideep Ahlawat
Coming from a small village in Haryana, Jaideep Ahlawat has become famous for his fierce performances and raw skill. He has won over fans with his exceptional performances in 'Raazi' and 'Paatal Lok'.
Sohum Shah
Hailing from a small town in Rajasthan, Sohum Shah’s path to Bollywood was driven by his passion for acting. His standout performances in critically acclaimed films such as 'Tumbbad', 'Ship of Theseus' and 'Crazzy' have proven his versatility.
Vineet Kumar Singh
Coming all the way from Varanasi, Vineet Kumar Singh nailed his first role as a fighter fighting against overwhelming odds in 'Mukkabaaz'.
Actors like them prove that skill and perseverance can overcome any obstacle. They broke out on their own from humble beginnings without any connection to the film industry, and now they're household names in Bollywood.