Top Bollywood Actresses in 1980s
The 1980s was a transformative era for Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry of India. This decade witnessed a significant shift in filmmaking styles, storytelling, and the emergence of new talent. As the decade progressed, a new wave of filmmakers and actors emerged, introducing a blend of romance, action, and melodrama that appealed to a broader audience. Filmmakers like Yash Chopra and Subhash Ghai crafted romantic blockbusters, while directors like Ramesh Sippy and Manmohan Desai continued to create memorable masala entertainers.
The 1980s also witnessed the rise of leading ladies who became symbols of beauty, talent, and grace. Actresses like Sridevi, Jaya Prada, and Rekha captured hearts with their stellar performances and captivating screen presence. These Bollywood leading ladies of the 1980s continue to be celebrated as legends, inspiring generations of actresses that followed in their illustrious footsteps.
In every era, there is significant curiosity about top movie actresses and actors. So in this post, we will look at the Top Bollywood actress in the 1980s
1. Sridevi
Sridevi is the first female Superstar of Bollywood who ruled the Hindi cinema in the 1980s and 1990s. She won many awards including National Film Award, a Kerala State Film Award, a Nandi Award, a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, four Filmfare Awards, including a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and three Filmfare Awards South. In 2013, Sridevi was honored with the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honor. Before Hindi movies, Sridevi made her acting career as a child actor in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films. She has done various hit South movies her debut as the leading lady in Hindi cinema came with the drama film Solva Sawan (1979) and received wider recognition for the action film Himmatwala (1983).
Top Movies : Mawaali (1983), Sadma (1983), Justice Chaudhury (1983), Tohfa (1984), Naya Kadam (1984), Maqsad (1984), Masterji (1985), Karma (1986), Nagina (1986), Nazrana (1987), Watan Ke Rakhwale (1987), Mr. India (1987), Waqt Ki Awaz (1988), Chandni (1989), ChaalBaaz (1989), Lamhe (1991), Khuda Gawah (1992), Gumrah (1993), Laadla (1994), and Judaai (1997). English Vinglish (2012)
2. Rekha
Rekha is one of the finest actresses in Indian cinema and was one of Hindi cinema’s leading stars through most of the 1980s and early 1990s. She is the recipient of several accolades, including one National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. In 2010, the Government of India honoured her with Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour. She started her career with South movies and made her Hindi debut with Sawan Bhadon (1970).
Top Movies: Ghar (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Khubsoorat (1980), Baseraa (1981), Ek Hi Bhool (1981), Silsila (1981), Jeevan Dhaara (1982), Agar Tum Na Hote (1983), Kalyug (1981), Vijeta (1982), Utsav (1984), Umrao Jaan (1981), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Phool Bane Angaray (1991), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), Kama Sutra (1996), Aastha (1997), Zubeidaa and Lajja (2001)
3. Jaya Prada
Jaya Prada is one of the most iconic and influential actresses in both Telugu and Hindi film industries in the late ’70s, and ’80s. She is the recipient of three Filmfare Awards South and has starred in many Telugu and Hindi films along with several Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and Marathi films. She has been considered by many as one of the most beautiful faces to have ever graced Indian cinema including Satyajit Ray who called her “the most beautiful face on the Indian screen”.
Hindi Debut: Sargam (1979)
Top Movies: Sargam (1979), Kaamchor (1982), Tohfa (1984), Sharaabi (1984), Maqsad (1984), Sanjog (1985), Aakhree Raasta (1986), Sindoor (1987), Elaan-E-Jung (1989), Aaj Ka Arjun (1990), Thanedaar (1990)
4. Smita Patil
Smita Patil is regarded among the finest and greatest stage and film actresses in the history of Indian cinema. She is a recipient of two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, two Filmfare Awards Marathi, and received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour in 1985. She made her film debut with Shyam Benegal’s Charandas Chor (1975). She became one of the leading actresses of parallel cinema, a New Wave movement in India cinema, though she also appeared in several mainstream movies throughout her career.
Top Movies: Manthan (1977), Bhumika (1977), Aakrosh (1980), Chakra (1981), Namak Halaal (1982), Bazaar (1982), Shakti (1982), Arth (1982), Ardh Satya (1983), Mandi (1983), Aaj Ki Awaaz (1984), Mirch Masala (1985), Amrit (1986) and Waaris (1988).
5. Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman is one of the top actresses of the 1970s and 80s. She started her career as a model and won the Femina Miss India pageant in 1970. She made her debut with Haré Rama Haré Krishna (1971), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress and the BFJA Award for Best Actress (Hindi).
Top Movies: Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), Ajanabee (1974), Chori Mera Kaam (1975), Dharam Veer (1977), Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977), and The Great Gambler (1979), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Don (1978), Abdullah (1980), Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980), Qurbani (1980), Dostana (1980), and Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), (1981), Mahaan (1983), Pukar (1983), Jagir (1984), Teesri Aankh (1982), and Hum Se Hai Zamana (1983).
6. Meenakshi Seshadri
Meenakshi Seshadri is one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in the 1980s and 1990s. She made her debut with the film Painter Babu (1983) her second film Hero (1983) catapulted her to instant stardom.
Debut Movie: Painter Babu (1983)
Top Movies: Hero (1983), Aandhi-Toofan (1985), Meri Jung (1985), Swati (1986), Dilwaala (1986), Dacait (1987), Inaam Dus Hazaar (1987), Satyamev Jayate (1987), Parivaar (1987), Shahenshah (1988), Mahadev (1989), Awaargi (1990), Jurm (1990), Ghayal (1990), Ghar Ho To Aisa (1990), Damini (1993), Duet (1994) and Ghatak (1996).
7. Shabana Azmi
Shabana Azmi is one of India’s most acclaimed actresses and is known for her portrayals of distinctive, often unconventional female characters across several genres. She has won a record five National Film Awards for Best Actress, in addition to five Filmfare Awards and several international accolades. The Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri in 1998 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012. Azmi made her film debut in 1974 with Ankur and soon became one of the leading actresses of parallel cinema.
Top Movies: Nishant (1975), Junoon (1978), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Parvarish (1977), Susman (1978), Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977), Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai (1980), Sparsh (1980), Jwalamukhi (1980), Arth (1982), Namkeen (1982), Avtaar (1983), Mandi (1983), Masoom (1983), Khandhar (1984), Antarnaad (1992), and Godmother (1999)
8. Padmini Kolhapure
Padmini Kolhapure began her acting career in 1972 at the age of seven, and her early works include Zindagi (1976) and Dream Girl (1977). She had her breakthrough with the Raj Kapoor film Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978). She has received several awards including two Filmfare Awards.
Top Movies: Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981), Ahista Ahista (1981), Vidhaata (1982), Prem Rog (1982), Souten (1983), Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985,Do Dilon Ki Dastaan (1985) and Woh Saat Din (1983).
9. Dimple Kapadia
Dimple Kapadia made her debut with Bobby (1973) and after marriage to Rajesh Khanna quit acting. She made her comeback with the film Saagar in 1985 and became one of the leading actresses of the 1980s. She won many awards including Filmfare awards and also National award for Rudaali (1993)
Top Movies: Kaash (1987), Drishti (1990), Lekin (1991), and Rudaali (1993), Prahaar (1991), Angaar (1992), Gardish (1993), and Krantiveer (1994)
10. Amrita Singh
Amrita Singh is a well-known and popular actress in the 1980s who gained popularity in the movies Betaab and Mard. Amrita made her Bollywood debut in 1983 with Betaab followed by a succession of hits, such as Sunny, Mard (biggest hit of 1985) and Saaheb, Chameli Ki Shaadi, and Naam.
Debut Movie: Betaab (1983)
Top Movies: Sunny (1984, Mard (1985), Saaheb (1985) , Chameli Ki Shaadi, Naam (1986), Khudgarz (1987),Waaris (1988), Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), Suryavanshi (1992) and Aaina (1993)
11. Poonam Dhillon
Poonam Dhillon is one of the leading actresses of the 80s and gained fame when she got crowned Miss Young India in 1978. She made her Debut with Trishul and came to the limelight with the 1979 film Noorie.
Debut Movie: Trishul
Top Movies: Norie (1979), Red Rose (1980), Dard (1981), Romance (1983), Sohni Mahiwal (1984), Teri Meherbaniyan (1985) Samundar (1986), and Saveraywali Gaadi (1986)
12. Tina Munim
Tina Munim made her debut in Hindi films with filmmaker Dev Anand’s Des Pardes.
Top Movies: Baaton Baaton Mein (1979), Karz (1980), Lootmaar (1980), Man Pasand (1980), Rocky (1981), Fiffty Fiffty (1981), Yeh Vaada Raha (1982), Suraag (1982), Rajput (1982),Souten (1983), Bewafai (1985), Insaaf Main Karoonga (1985), Aakhir Kyon? (1985), Alag Alag (1985), Bhagwaan Dada (1986) and Adhikar (1986) and Jigarwala (1991)
13. Rati Agnihotri
Rati Agnihotri is one of the leading actresses in the 1980s and made her Hindi movie debut with the 1981 film Ek Duuje Ke Liye,
Top Movies: Farz Aur Kanoon (1982), Coolie (1983), Tawaif (1985), Aap Ke Saath (1986), and Hukumat (1987).
14. Deepti Naval
Deepti Naval made her debut in 1978 with Shyam Benegal’s film Junoon and is one of the leading art house or parallel cinema Actresses in the 1980s. Starting with Chashme Buddoor in 1981, she was often cast with Farooq Sheikh and they became an iconic on-screen couple of the early 1980s, with films such as Chashme Buddoor, Saath Saath, Kissi Se Na Kehna, Katha, Rang Birangi and Faasle.
Top Movies: ChashmeBuddoor (1981), Angoor (1982), Saath Saath (1982), Kissi Se Na Kehna (1983), Katha, Rang Birangi (1983), Kamla (1984), Ankahee (1985), and Faasle (1985)
15. Neelam
Neelam made her acting debut with Jawaani (1984).
Love 86 (1986), Ilzaam (1986), Sindoor (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Aag Hi Aag (1987), Paap Ki Duniya (1988), Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988), Hatya (1988), Farz Ki Jung (1989), Taaqatwar (1989), Do Qaidi (1989)m Billoo Badshah (1989), Ghar Ka Chiraag (1989), and Mitti Aur Sona (1989).
Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi is a leading actress in the 1970s and early 1980s, She was known for her “glamorous” acting style, and was one of the highest-paid actresses. She made her acting debut with the film Charitra (1973), and received recognition for her role as Neela in the drama film Majboor (1974).
Top Movies: Deewaar (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Suhaag (1979), Kaala Patthar (1979), The Burning Train (1980), Shaan (1980), Kaalia (1981), Namak Halaal (1982).
Mandakini
Mandakini made her debut in the 1985 movie Ram Teri Ganga Maili, a blockbuster, and it earned Mandakini a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress.
Top Movies: Jeeva (1986), Dance Dance(1987), Pyaar Karke Dekho (1987), Loha (1987), Kahan Hai Kanoon(1989), and TaqdeerKaTamasha (1990)
Reena Roy
Reena Roy made her film debut with the drama Zaroorat (1972) and was one of the top actresses in the 1970s. By 1976, Roy became one of the highest-paid actresses in Bollywood after starring in two of the year’s biggest box-office successes, the action thriller Kalicharan and the horror film Nagin.
Top Movies: Jaise Ko Taisa (1973), Zakhmee (1975), Kalicharan 1976), Nagin (1976), Apnapan (1977), Jaani Dushman (1979), Aasha (1980), Arpan (1983). Asha Jyoti (1984), Naseeb (1981), Sanam Teri Kasam (1982), and Aadmi Khilona Hai (1993)
Anita Raj
Anita Raj made her debut with Prem Geet in 1981 and she acted with Top Heroes and started in many hits in the 80s.
Top Movies: Ghulami (1985), Kusum in Zara Si Zindagi (1983), Anita in Zameen Aasman (1984) and Shobha in Masterji (1985).[2] She is known for playing Rajmata Devvadan Singh Deo in Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani and Kulwant Kaur Dhillon in Choti Sarrdaarni. She did maximum movies with Dharmendra.
Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit was among the country’s highest-paid celebrities throughout the 1990s. She has won six Filmfare Awards from a record 17 nominations. In 2008, the Government of India awarded her with Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honor in the country. She made her acting debut in 1984 with a leading role in the drama Abodh. After a few successive commercially failed films, she rose to prominence with the action drama Tezaab (1988), and established herself with starring roles in the top-grossing romantic dramas Dil (1990), Beta (1992), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997).
Debut Movie: Abodh (1984)
Top Movies: Tezaab (1980), Dil (1990), Beta (1992), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Ram Lakhan (1989), Tridev (1989), Thanedaar (1990), Kishen Kanhaiya (1990), Saajan (1991), Khalnayak (1993), and Raja (1995), Prem Pratigyaa (1989), Parinda (1989), Anjaam (1994), Mrityudand (1997), Pukar (2000), Lajja (2001), and Devdas (2002) Aaja Nachle (2007), Total Dhamaal (2019) and Dedh Ishqiya (2014).
KimiKatkar
Kimi Katkar is an illustrious model and actress in the Indian film industry from the 1980s to the 1990s. Commonly recognized for her bold image and beautiful face, she appeared in a number of mega-hits movies as a heroine. The song “Jumma Chumma De de” from the film “Hum” made her a much-loved actress of the masses instantly.
Top Movies: Adventures of Tarzan (1985), Mera Lahoo (1987), Dariya Dil (1988), Sone Pe Suhaaga (1988), Gair Kanooni (1989), Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii (1989) Khoon Ka Karz (1991), Hum (1991) and Humlaa (1992).