Top Bollywood Actresses (2000 - 2009)
In the 2000s, Bollywood witnessed the rise of several top actresses who captured the hearts of audiences with their talent and beauty. Aishwarya Rai, also known as the “Miss World” from 1994, became a prominent figure in Bollywood during this time. Another leading actress of the 2000s was Rani Mukerji, who impressed everyone with her versatile performances in various films, showcasing her ability to portray different characters with depth and conviction. Priyanka Chopra also emerged as a notable actress in the later part of the decade, gaining popularity for her strong performances and later branching out into Hollywood. In this post, we will look at the Top Bollywood actress in the 2000s
Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai was one of the top actresses in the 2000s and has often been cited as “the most beautiful woman in the world”. She is the winner of the Miss World 1994 pageant and made her acting debut in Mani Ratnam’s 1997 Tamil film Iruvar and had her first Hindi film release in Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya that same year. Aishwarya Rai won two Filmfare Awards and was honored with the Padma Shri in 2009.
Debut film: Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1997)
Top Movies: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Taal (1999), Devdas (2002), Mohabbatein (2000), Dhoom 2 (2006), Guru (2007), Akbar (2008), Enthiran (2010), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), and Ponniyin Selvan (2022)
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is one of the most bubbly actresses of Hindi Cinema and is among the top actresses in the late 90s and early 2000s. She made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998, followed by a role in Soldier in the same year. and won Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Zinta received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003).
Debut film: Dil Se (1998)
Top Movies: Kya Kehna (2000), Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002), and Armaan (2003), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Koi Mil Gaya (2003) and Veer-Zaara (2004), Salaam Namaste (2005) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006).
Rani Mukerji
Rani Mukerji was one of the top actresses in Bollywood during the 2000s. She made her acting debut in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat in 1996 but it was in the 2000s that she achieved widespread fame and success. She is the recipient of multiple accolades, including seven Filmfare Awards.
In the 2000s, Rani Mukerji delivered a series of impressive performances in a variety of roles. She starred in successful and critically acclaimed films like “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” “Saathiya,” “Hum Tum,” “Yuva,” “Black,” “Bunty Aur Babli,” and “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,” among others.
Debut film: Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1996)
Top Movies: Ghulam (1998), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Saathiya (2002), Chalte Chalte (2003), Hum Tum (2004), Veer-Zaara (2004), Yuva (2004, Black (2005), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), Bunty Aur Babli (2005), No One Killed Jessica (2011), Talaash (2012), Mardaani (2014) and Hichki (2018).
Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra is one of the top actresses in Bollywood during the 2000s. She is the winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant and made her debut in the Tamil film Thamizhan (2002), followed by her first Bollywood feature in The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003). She played the leading lady in the box-office hits Andaaz (2003) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and had her breakout role in the 2004 romantic thriller Aitraaz and quickly rose to prominence. Priyanka Chopra is one of India’s highest-paid actresses and has received numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards.
Top Movies: Andaaz (2003), Aitraaz (2004), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Krrish, Don (2006), Fashion (2008), Kaminey (2009), 7 Khoon Maaf (2011), Barfi! (2012), Mary Kom (2014), and Bajirao Mastani (2015).
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor was considered one of the top actresses in Bollywood during the 2000s. Kareena made her debut in 2000 with the film “Refugee” and quickly rose to stardom and delivered several successful and memorable performances in movies like “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” “Jab We Met,” “3 Idiots,” “Omkara,” “Chameli,” and many others. Kapoor is the recipient of several awards, including six Filmfare Awards, and is one of Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses.[1]
Debut film: Refugee (2000)
Top Movies: Aśoka (2001) , Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Chameli (2004), Omkara (2006), Jab We Met (2007) and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012), urbaan (2009) and Talaash(2012), We Are Family (2010), Heroine (2012) and Udta Punjab (2016), 3 Idiots (2009), Bodyguard (2011) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), Singham Returns (2014), Veere Di Wedding (2018) and Good Newwz (2019)
Kajol
Kajol is one of the most successful actresses of Hindi cinema in 1990 & 2000. She made her acting debut with Bekhudi (1992) and had commercial successes in Baazigar (1993), opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Throughout the 1990s, Kajol delivered several acclaimed performances in films like “Baazigar,” “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” and “Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya,” among others. Kajol’s success continued into the 2000s with commercially successful movies such as “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” “Fanaa,” “My Name Is Khan,” and “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.”
Debut film:Bekhudi (1992)
Top Movies: Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Gupt (1997), Dushman (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Fanaa (2006), My Name Is Khan (2010) and Dilwale (2015)
Bipasha Basu
Bipasha Basu started as a model and became one of the most Glamorous actresses in the 200s. She has done many top-grosser thriller and horror films, and also several item numbers. Bipasha made her acting debut with the thriller Ajnabee (2001), which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She came to the limelight with the leading role in the horror film Raaz (2002) and Jism (2003)
Debut film: Ajnabee
Top Movies: Raaz (2002), Jism (2003), No Entry (2005), Dhoom 2 (2006), Corporate (2006), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), All the Best (2009), Race (2008), and Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008).
Tabu
Tabu leading actress in 1990 and she was primarily in Hindi films, alongside Telugu, Tamil, and English films. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards, seven Filmfare Awards (including a record five Critics Awards for Best Actress), and two Filmfare Awards South. In 2011, she was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian honour.
Debut film: Vijaypath (1994)
Top Movies: Maachis (1996), Virasat (1997), Saajan Chale Sasural, Jeet (1996), Border (1997), Biwi No.1 (1999), Hu Tu Tu (1999), Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), and Hera Pheri (2000), Astitva (2000), Chandni Bar (2001), Maqbool (2004), Cheeni Kum (2007), Haider (2014), Drishyam (2015), Golmaal Again (2017), Andhadhun (2018), De De Pyaar De (2019), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) and Drishyam 2 (2022).
Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty Kundra made her screen debut in the thriller Baazigar (1993) which garnered her Filmfare Award nominations for Best Female Debut and Best Supporting Actress.
Debut film: Baazigar (1993)
Top Movies: Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Jaanwar (1999), Dhadkan (2000), Indian (2001), and Rishtey (2002), Phir Milenge (2004), Dus (2005), Life in a… Metro (2007), Apne (2007) and Dostana (2008).
Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut is a highly acclaimed and successful Bollywood actress. Kangana Ranaut made her debut in the film “Gangster” (2006) and showcased her talent in movies like “Woh Lamhe” (2006) and “Life in a Metro” (2007). It was in the 2010s that Kangana Ranaut rose to prominence with critically acclaimed performances in movies like “Queen” (2014) and “Tanu Weds Manu Returns” (2015).
Debut film: Gangster
Top Movies: Fashion (2008), Queen (2014), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019), Panga (2020)
Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan was one of the rising stars in the 200s and she made her Bollywood debut with the film “Parineeta” in 2005. She got into top slots in 2009 onwards with her remarkable performances in films like “Paa” (2009), “Ishqiya” (2010), “No One Killed Jessica” (2011), and the blockbuster “The Dirty Picture” (2011).
Debut film: Parineeta (2005)
Top Movies: Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), Paa (2009), Ishqiya (2010), No One Killed Jessica (2011), The Dirty Picture (2011), Kahaani (2012), Tumhari Sulu (2017)
Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif is one of the highest-paid and top actresses, who is also considered one of the most beautiful actresses in the last two decades. Earlier she worked as a fashion model and made her acting debut in 2003 with the movie “Boom.” She got into the limelight with the film “Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?” (2005) and “Namastey London” (2007).
Debut: Boom (2003)
Top Movies: Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005), Namastey London (2007), Partner (2007), Welcome (2007), Singh Is Kinng (2008), Race (2008), Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009), New York (2009), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Bang Bang (2014), and Zero (2018).
Lara Dutta
Lara Dutta is the winner of the Miss Universe 2000 pageant and she made her acting debut with Andaaz (2003), which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She is one of the prominent leading ladies in the 2000s and acted in many box-office Hits that include Masti, No Entry, and Housefull.
Debut film: Andaaz (2003)
Top Movies: No Entry (2005), Dosti (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007), Housefull (2010), Don 2 (2011).
Other Leading Actresses
Genelia D’Souza
Debut film: Tujhe Meri Kasam
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008)
Ameesha Patel
Debut film: Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), Humraaz (2002), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
Dia Mirza
Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein
Konkona Sen Sharma
Debut film: Page 3
Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002), Omkara (2006), Life in a… Metro (2007), Wake Up Sid (2009)
Sonam Kapoor
Debut film: Saawariya
Delhi 6 (2009), Raanjhanaa (2013), Khoobsurat (2014), Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), Neerja (2016)
Deepika Padukone
Debut film: Om Shanti Om
Love Aaj Kal (2009), Cocktail (2012), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), Piku (2015), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Padmaavat (2018)
Asin Thottumkal
Debut film: Ghajini
Ready (2011), Housefull 2 (2012), Bol Bachchan (2012), Khiladi 786 (2012)
Chitrangada Singh
Debut film: Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi
Desi Boyz (2011), Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018), Gaslight (2023)
Neha
Debut film: Kareeb (1998)
Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999), Fiza (2000), Rahul (2001)
Gracy Singh
Lagaan Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003)
Isha Koppikar
Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa
Riya Sen
Debut film: Style
Esha Deol
Debut film: Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche
Amrita Rao
Debut film: Ab Ke Baras
Main Hoon Na (2004), Vivah (2006), Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008)
Shriya Saran
Debut film: Tujhe Meri Kasam
Awarapan (2007), Gali Gali Chor Hai (2012), Drishyam (2015), Drishyam 2 (2022)
Rimi Sen
Debut film: Inteha
Hungama Dhoom (2004), Kyon Ki (2005)
Bhumika Chawla
Debut film: Tere Naam
Run (2004), Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (2004), M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
Neha Dhupia
Debut film: Qayamat: City Under Threat
Celina Jaitly
Debut film: Janasheen
Mallika Sherawat
Debut film: Khwahish
Meher Vij
Debut film: Saaya
Soha Ali Khan
Debut film: Dil Maange More!!!
Ayesha Takia
Debut film: Taarzan:
The Wonder Car Wanted (2009)
Minissha Lamba
Debut film: Yahaan
Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)
Geeta Basra
Debut film: Dil Diya Hai