Television to B-Town: 11 TV actors who made it big in Bollywood

Ayushi Mittal August 12, 2022

557 4 minutes read

Terrific journey from Television to Bollywood: TV actors who made big in Bollywood and never looked back

Highlights:

Irrfan Khan
Karan Singh Grover
Shah Rukh Khan
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TV actors who made it big in Bollywood: Nepotism is still a hot topic. Undoubtedly, it is very difficult for an outsider to shine and make it big in the Bollywood industry. Yet, many people have not just carved their niche in the glamorous industry but also made it big in Bollywood. These people achieved this with their hard work and supreme talent.

Most of the time TV actors are typecast with certain kinds of roles and are only casted in supporting roles in Bollywood films. However, some TV actors have broken this glass ceiling and bagged main roles in Hindi films.

Amid the discussion of nepotism and favouritism in Bollywood, let’s look at some of the TV actors who made it big in the Bollywood industry.

Irrfan Khan

The late actor never looked awkward in any role he did in his entire career, be it in Bollywood or Hollywood. He acted in many Hindi shows but got fame after doing Maqbool, Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Macbeth. Irrfan proved his mettle as an actor. With time he performed in Hollywood films like Jurassic World, Life of Pi, and The Amazing Spider-Man.

Karan Singh Grover

Karan Singh Grover got entry into Bollywood after his hit performance in a popular television serial Qubool Hai. He made his Bollywood debut in Alone and later did Hate Story 3. Currently, he is one of the most dashing men in the Bollywood industry.

Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan marked his television debut with the TV show Fauji in 1988-’89. He played the lead role of Abhimanyu Rai in the Doordarshan serial. He went on to act in more TV shows – Wagle Ki Duniya (1988-’90), Ummeed (1989), and Circus (1989-’90). Later, he landed a minor role in a television film (English language) titled, In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones (1989). This film was the turning point in his life as it made him pursue a hugely successful career in Hindi films.

Ayushmann Khurrana

We are sure that you have seen several clips of Ayushmann Khurrana from his Roadies tryst in 2004. But it wasn’t his first TV rodeo. Ayushmann appeared as a contestant on Popstars, a reality show on Channel V in 2002. But after his Roadies victory, he became quite a popular face on TV. He appeared in MTV shows and TV films such as Jaadoo Ek Baar, Cheque De India, and Stripped. In fact, before signing the life-changing Vicky Donor in 2012, he had become a very popular television host.

Sushant Singh Rajput

Late actor for whom the whole country cried, became famous for his character, Manav in the serial Pavitra Rishta. He was later spotted by Abhishek Kapoor who launched him in a dream debut Kai Po Che. After that, Sushant signed a three-film contract with Yash Raj Films, Shudh Desi Romance being the first. He became a national sensation when he did Neeraj Pandey’s biopic on Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Vikrant Massey

Vikrant Massey is a superstar on TV and he is all set to become a superstar in Bollywood as well. He started his career in Kahaan Hoon Main in 2004 and later did roles in Balika Vadhu, Dharam Veer, Qubool Hai, and Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo. He started his Bollywood career with Lootera and recently did a powerful film Chhapaak along with Deepika Padukone.

Yami Gautam

Yami Gautam got her big break alongside Ayushmann Khurrana in Vicky Donor. Before this comedy-drama film, she was famous on the TV circuit and ad network. She first tasted success after appearing in multiple Fair & Lovely advertisements and a TV serial Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam on Colors.

Mouni Roy

Mouni Roy got her big break in the TV industry as a small-town girl in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Also known as Bong beauty, Roy mesmerized the audience with her innocent looks and acting skills. Later, the actress took the television industry by storm with the third season of Naagin. With her alluring looks, impressive acting skills, sexy dance moves, and the young actress bagged a role in Akshay Kumar starrer Gold.

Hina Khan

Hina Khan is a famous face in the TV world, thanks to her Akshara character in Star Plus’s Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Komolika character in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. She later bagged the lead role in the Bollywood film Hacked and became a national crush for young men in the country.

Mrunal Thakur

Kumkum Bhagya fame Mrunal Thakur is a popular television actress who sizzled on the silver screen with Hrithik Roshan in the film Super 30. After making it big in the daily soap, the actress is ready to woo the audience of Bollywood cinema.

Sakshi Tanwar

Sakshi Tanwar is also a much-known face in the Indian television world for her roles in Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Bade Achhe Lagte Hai. She later bagged the role against the perfectionist Aamir Khan in Dangal. The movie went on to become the biggest hit ever in the history of Indian Cinema.