Top 7 Famous Dalit Actors In Bollywood May Surprise You For Their Background

Although quite a number of Dalit actors have made their presence felt in their works regardless of on-screen or backstage, not many know the fact that they belong to this caste. No wonder why even cinema buffs are unable to list many film personalities or famous Dalit actors in Bollywood.

Check out the list of Dalit actors in Bollywood here.

Shilpa Shinde

Shilpa Shinde, known for her roles in soap operas, sitcoms, and as the winner of Bigg Boss 11, is one of the famous Dalit actors in Bollywood.

She has been part of the Indian political system since 2019 and upon confirming the announcement, she faced a lot of backlashes on social media. However, she is now part of the Indian National Congress and made everyone in awe because of her efforts and talent.

Divya Bharti

Divya Bharti was among the most known actresses of her time. She mainly worked in Telugu and Hindi film industry in the early 90s. Touted as a top-billed actress in India at of her time, not many know that she is also among the most famous Dalit actors in Bollywood.

In only two years of her career, she has played in more than 14 movies and that is the unbroken record by any newcomer in the industry. Had she lived longer, she would have become an iconic starlet in the Tinseltown. It is a shame that she was gone too soon.

Chirag Paswan

Chirag Paswan, Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan’s son, started his career in B-town as the main actor in the 2011 film Miley Naa Miley Hum. However, his movie did not turn out successful and it was his way into politics that took off.

He followed the legacy of his father and got elected from the Jamui to the Lok Sabha constituency in the general elections. Although he is not in the most known Dalit actors in Bollywood list, he still has an admirable career.

Johnny Lever

Johnny Lever is truly one of the most well-known comedians and hardworking actors of Hindi cinema. As one of the first stand-up comedians of India, he has garnered thirteen Filmfare Awards nominations for the best performance in a comic part.

He started his admirable journey in 1984 and up until now, he has had over three hundred Bollywood movies in his filmography. It would be a lack not to mention Johnny Lever in the list of Dalit actors in Bollywood.

Seema Biswas

Seema Biswas, who works both in theatre and movies, shot to stardom after starring in 1994 flick Bandit Queen and bagged the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actress.

Her other famous movies include Bhoot, Khamoshi: The Musical, Half Girlfriend, and Vivah. As a known face to the Bollywood movie lovers yet few seem to know that she is also a Dalit.

Seema Biswas, as one of the famous Dalit actors in Bollywood, has also participated in a lot of TV shows.

Silk Smitha

Silk Smitha whose real name is Vijayalakshmi Vadlapatla was a well-known actress of her time. Having worked mainly in South Indian movies, she also appeared in Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada language movies.

She stepped her foot into the entertainment world as a side actor and got first noticed for her part as “Silk” in Vandichakkaram (1979). She turned into a major sensual star and was the top sought-after actress in the 80s. In the span of her 17-year career, Silk Smitha has been in more than 450 movies in various languages.

A famous film has been made based on her life, check out: The Dirty Picture Full Movie Download - More Than Just An Erotic Film

Rakhi Sawant

Rakhi Sawant, or Neeru Bheda, is most known for her dance moves rather than movies, is also a name in the Dalit actors in Bollywood list. Having worked as a model and actress in Hindi television and films, she was also a contestant in the first season of the popular reality show Bigg Boss in 2006.

She even launched her own political family titled the Rashtriya Aam Party to compete in the Lok Sabha Elections in 2014. However, she participated in the Republican Party of India (A) post the election.

Although no caste, community, or religion has a stereotype over artistic talent, both of the first Bollywood clans including the Khan trio (Shahrukh, Aamir, and Salman), and the Kapoors hail from the upper-caste root. Those who are Dalits may own a more humble presence in the industry but they have established a rank for themselves with hard work and sheer talent.

>> Suggested post: Lowest Paid Actress In Bollywood – Beautiful & Talented Can’t Bring Them A Million-Dollar Paycheck