Renowned filmmaker Hansal Mehta has always demonstrated an exceptional ability to recognize and nurture talent in Indian cinema. From his critically acclaimed works like Shahid, Aligarh, Scam 1992, and The Buckingham Murders, Mehta has worked with some of the finest actors, deeply understanding the power of stellar performances in shaping cinematic experiences.

Recently, Mehta took to IMDb to curate two exclusive lists, showcasing his favourite male and female actors—performers who have profoundly impacted his perception of Indian cinema. Through these carefully curated selections, Mehta celebrates both the established icons and emerging stars who have redefined Indian film.

In his write-up, Mehta reflects on the women who have left an indelible mark on the industry: “Icons, rebels, muses—these women have often defined and redefined the Indian cinema experience for me. A list written in admiration, and sometimes, awe.”

Mehta’s top female performers include Alia Bhatt, Amruta Subhash, Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia, Kareena Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma, Madhuri Dixit, Manju Warrier, Nargis, and Nimisha Sajayan. On the male side, Mehta curates a list of unforgettable male performers, writing, “A personal curation of India’s most unforgettable male performers—artists who leave behind echoes long after the final fade out.”

His list of top male performers includes Aamir Khan, Adarsh Gourav, Amitabh Bachchan, Amol Palekar, Anant Nag, Balraj Sahni, Dilip Kumar, Fahadh Faasil, Gagandev Riar, and Govinda. To see the full list of 34 names, visit IMDb.

The IMDb lists feature allows users to share their favorite movie, TV, and celebrity picks with others, discover new content, and track what they’re watching. It’s an evolving tool, continuously updated, enabling fans to discover fresh recommendations from both experts and fellow enthusiasts.

Mehta’s curated lists come on the heels of his March post on X, where he spoke out about the future of Bollywood. Contrary to the pessimism surrounding the industry, Mehta firmly stated, “The industry isn’t dying. It’s waiting to be disrupted. The problem isn’t the audience losing interest. It’s that investment is being funneled into the safe, the recycled, the formulaic. The future of Hindi cinema lies in betting on raw talent, bold storytelling, and directors who can take a script and direct the hell out of it.”

Continuing to champion fresh talent, Mehta later shared a list of breakout male actors he believes hold great promise. This comprehensive list of “Breakout Male Talent in India” includes IMDb STARmeter Award winners Adarsh Gourav and Zahan Kapoor, alongside 11 other notable emerging stars, all of whom represent the future of Indian cinema. To view the complete list, visit IMDb and discover the next generation of Indian film talent.