10 Underrated And Brilliant Actors Who Deserve More Screen Time Than They’re Given
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It’s true that Bollywood often undermines real talent and favors superstar names over talented actors. Very often some of the most talented individuals are given very less screen time in comparison to others. Because of this, many brilliant actors are cast into the role of side characters rather than given their dues’ worth. In this regard, very often, OTT platforms come to the rescue and give these brilliant actors a stage to perform and showcase their art. In fact, many of the talented actors featured on our list have exclusively starred on OTT platforms after Bollywood failing to give them their due credit. Let’s take a look at 10 super talented and underrated actors who light up our screens, whether it is our phone screens or the big screen:
1. Sheeba Chaddha
Sheeba Chaddha is one of the few actresses who are unparalleled in their versatility. She can channel a hilarious and uber-hip mother in one scene and a dutiful wife and suppressed artist in another. From movies like Badhaai Ho to OTT shows like Mirzapur, Sheeba steals the show each time! She is unparalleled in her abilities and even her expressions speak volumes.
2. Rajshri Deshpande
Rajshri Deshpande is one actress who has managed to impress us every time. She even gave Nawazuddin Siddiqui a run for his money when she played his equally cunning wife in Sacred Games. Besides Sacred Games, she has also starred in experimental movies like Manto and S Durga.
3. Manoj Pahwa
Manoj Pahwa is known for playing very humorous roles but he has also acted in roles where he comes across as villainous and cunning. The actor was initially typecast as a funny man because of his insane comic timing but he went on to act in drama shows like A Suitable Boy and intense films like Mulk and Article 15.
4. Adil Hussain
Many of us remember Adil Hussain from his roles in movies like English Vinglish, Life Of Pi, and has even featured in major Hollywood films like Star Trek and What Will People Say. His performances have always been world class and it truly is sad that he still remains underrated in Bollywood. Adil however, has found a lot of success on OTT platforms.
5. Namit Das
If you’ve watched A Suitable Boy then you remember Namit Das as the adorable shoemaker who tries his best to woo the beautiful and super smart Lata. He made his Bollywood debut in the film Wake Up Sid! The actor was also seen in the Sushmita Sen starrer, Aarya.
6. Divya Dutta
Divya is an underrated actress who has been working in the entertainment industry for a good two decades and then some. She has starred as Milkha Singh’s older sister in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and won our hearts with the adorable sibling bond that she shared with Farhan Akhtar’s Milkha. Her acting in movies like Badlapur and Veer-Zaara is also praiseworthy. She is also a National Film Award winner and has many critically acclaimed performances in her bag.
7. Tisca Chopra
Tisca Chopra is a producer, an actor, as well as an author. Is there anything this talented actress cannot do? She has made a place for herself in the industry and has proven to be incapable of delivering bad performances. Despite all her talent, the industry has been unkind to her and she has mainly found success in short films and web series.
8. Neeraj Kabi
Neeraj Kabi finally got to shine once more after his role on the show Sacred Games. He isn’t just your regular actor, however. Neeraj is a professionally trained theatre actor and has even acted in critically acclaimed and independent films like Ship Of Theseus, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! And many more like these.
9. Atul Kulkarni
Atul Kukarni is a multi talented and multilingual actor. If you grew up in the 2000s then you remember him from Rang De Basanti as the right wing goon named Lakshman Pandey who turned a new leaf and tried to make amends with the rest of the cast of the short film that the character of Su was shooting. Besides Rang De Basanti, Atul has starred in films across six different languages. He is the recipient of not one but two National Film Awards. He has even won an award for Best Actor at a film festival in Vienna in the year 2019.
10. Gopal Dutt
Gopal Dutt like Irrfan Khan is an alumnus of the National School of Drama. He has acted in a variety of TV shows and is also known for acting in the comedy group AIB’s short youtube videos. His hilariousness and comic timing have made many of AIB’s videos go viral and we just cannot get over how funny the talented actor is. He has also starred in blockbuster films like Tere Naam and Filmistaan.
It really is sad that Bollywood does not allow so many talented actors and actresses to shine. We’re really glad we get to see them express themselves on online platforms and prove their mettle. Tell us which actor and actress on this list impressed you the most with their performances in the comment section below!
