Everyone knows Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge or Aamir Khan’s Lagaan. But some of the finest acting from Bollywood’s biggest stars isn’t always part of the blockbuster conversation. In a world dominated by Instagram reels of Kabir Singh monologues and RRR slo-mo struts, let’s rewind to those hidden gems — performances that didn’t go viral but should’ve.
Here’s our ode to the most criminally underrated performances by top Bollywood stars.
Shah Rukh Khan in Swades (2004)
Before he became a meme for Palat and iconic for arms-wide-open poses, SRK gave one of his most grounded performances in Swades. As NASA scientist Mohan, he wasn’t charming — he was real. No drama, just quiet vulnerability. That handpump scene? Still gives goosebumps.
Kareena Kapoor Khan in Chameli (2004)
Bebo ruled Y2K fashion in K3G, but Chameli proved her acting chops. As a street-smart sex worker, Kareena brought sass, depth, and raw emotion. It didn’t break the box office, but it redefined her — Chameli walked so Piku could run.
Salman Khan in Phir Milenge (2004)
Before you roll your eyes — yes, Salman. In Phir Milenge, he plays an HIV-positive man with rare restraint and honesty. No flexing, no drama — just pure, understated emotion. A glimpse of what Bhai could’ve been with more such roles.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Raincoat (2004)
Forget the glam — in Raincoat, Aishwarya shed her star persona to play Neeru with quiet grace. Her eyes did the talking, her silences carried weight. Released today, it’d be trending #1 on Netflix and blowing up Cinephile Twitter.
Abhishek Bachchan in Yuva (2004)
Before he was the cool dad on Instagram, Abhishek lit up the screen in Yuva. As Lallan Singh, he balanced rage and vulnerability with ease — a layered performance that deserved way more love (and roles) post-2004.
Rani Mukerji in Black (2005)
Black won awards, but Rani’s brilliance often gets overshadowed. As a deaf-blind girl, she transforms completely — body, voice, emotion. Not just acting, pure immersion. Easily one of Bollywood’s all-time top performances.
Honourable Mentions
- Tabu in Astitva – Forever the queen of subtlety.
- Saif Ali Khan in Being Cyrus – Dark, weird, and unforgettable.
- Manisha Koirala in Dil Se – Haunting and heartbreakingly overlooked.
In a pop culture climate obsessed with viral moments and box office numbers, these performances remind us why cinema matters — it makes you feel, even if no one’s Tweeting about it. So next time you hit play on your favorite Bollywood comfort film, consider diving into these lesser-hyped gems. They’re not loud. They don’t trend. But they stay with you.