The 20 Most Attractive Indian Actresses

Beauty in cinema goes far beyond looks, and these Indian actresses pair screen presence with craft, discipline, and serious careers across Hindi and South Indian industries. Many of them balance mainstream hits with acclaimed performances, brand building, and philanthropic work. You’ll find trailblazers with national honors, box-office mainstays, and multilingual stars shaping pop culture across India and beyond. Here are twenty standouts whose impact reaches far past the frame.

Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone is one of India’s highest-profile leading actors, headlining blockbusters and auteur-driven projects across Hindi cinema. She has anchored films such as ‘Padmaavat’, ‘Chhapaak’, and ‘Pathaan’ while branching into international work like ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’. Beyond acting, she runs a production company and the Live Love Laugh Foundation focused on mental health. Her brand partnerships span fashion, beauty, and luxury, making her a global face of Indian cinema.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas transitioned from Miss World to a cross-border career that includes Hindi hits and the American series ‘Quantico’. She has starred in films like ‘Barfi!’ and ‘Mary Kom’ and produced regional-language stories under her banner. Her philanthropic work with UNICEF centers on child rights and education. She is also a published author and an entrepreneur in beauty and food ventures.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has balanced mainstream titles with festival favorites, appearing in films like ‘Devdas’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, and ‘Ponniyin Selvan’. A Cannes regular, she has served on juries and represented global brands on major red carpets. She collaborates frequently with top directors across Hindi and Tamil cinema. Her charitable initiatives have included campaigns for eye care and child health.

Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt combines commercial success with acclaimed performances in titles like ‘Raazi’, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, and ‘Highway’. She launched a sustainable children’s clothing brand and co-founded a production house backing female-led stories. Her filmography includes musicals, thrillers, and biographical dramas with strong character arcs. She is also known for multilingual releases and streaming projects.

Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif is a leading action and dance star with long-running franchises and holiday releases. Her notable films include ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’, and ‘Sooryavanshi’. She co-founded a popular beauty brand that focuses on inclusive shade ranges. Known for rigorous prep, she has trained extensively for action choreography and high-energy song sequences.

Kareena Kapoor Khan

Kareena Kapoor Khan spans genres from comedies to social dramas, with standout work in ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Omkara’, and ‘Talaash’. She has been part of major ensembles and solo-led films while maintaining a long-running career in endorsements. Kareena also hosts a podcast that spotlights wellness and work-life balance. Her film choices often blend star appeal with strong roles for women.

Anushka Sharma

Anushka Sharma debuted opposite a major star and quickly moved into producing content-driven cinema. She has led films like ‘NH10’, ‘Pari’, and ‘Sultan’, and her production house has created notable streaming series. She is active in animal welfare initiatives and sustainability efforts. Her career reflects a mix of mainstream appeal and experimentation.

Kiara Advani

Kiara Advani rose through a mix of streaming breakthroughs and theatrical blockbusters. Her notable projects include ‘Shershaah’, ‘Kabir Singh’, and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’. She works across romance, drama, and horror-comedy while maintaining a strong music-video and fashion presence. Brand collaborations and live performances have expanded her reach beyond film.

Shraddha Kapoor

Shraddha Kapoor balances musical hits and action titles, with films like ‘Aashiqui 2’, ‘Chhichhore’, and ‘Ek Villain’. She is known for playback performances in select songs and has a strong live stage profile. Her endorsements range from apparel to consumer tech. Environmental causes, including beach cleanups and wildlife awareness, figure prominently in her public work.

Kriti Sanon

Kriti Sanon moved from engineering studies to leading roles in comedies, dramas, and fantasy films. She has starred in ‘Mimi’, ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’, and ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’. As a producer, she backs female-centric stories and debut talent. Her ventures include a fitness brand and a skincare line.

Disha Patani

Disha Patani is known for high-octane action numbers and athletic dance sequences. Her filmography includes ‘Baaghi 2’, ‘Malang’, and ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’. She frequently trains in mixed martial arts and gymnastics for on-screen action. Fashion and fitness partnerships, along with music video appearances, keep her highly visible between films.

Taapsee Pannu

Taapsee Pannu works across Hindi and South Indian industries with a slate of courtroom dramas, thrillers, and sports films. Key titles include ‘Pink’, ‘Thappad’, and ‘Badla’. She co-owns a production house that supports mid-budget, issue-driven cinema. Taapsee is also an avid runner and promotes sport and wellness initiatives.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is a top star in Telugu and Tamil cinema and made a notable Hindi streaming debut with ‘The Family Man’. Her film list spans romance, action, and mythological epics. She engages in philanthropy through a foundation focused on health and education. Fitness challenges and awareness campaigns have highlighted her resilience and advocacy.

Rashmika Mandanna

Rashmika Mandanna became a pan-India presence through Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi projects. Notable appearances include ‘Geetha Govindam’, ‘Pushpa: The Rise’, and ‘Sita Ramam’. She frequently headlines major song releases and multilingual promotions. Brand endorsements in beauty and lifestyle reflect her broad youth following.

Nayanthara

Nayanthara is a leading lady of Tamil cinema with strong roles and solo-driven hits. She has appeared in films such as ‘Aramm’, ‘Netrikann’, and ‘Jawan’. As a producer, she supports content with women-centric narratives and genre experiments. She maintains a distinctive presence across films, fashion, and brand campaigns.

Keerthy Suresh

Keerthy Suresh is known for biographical and family dramas, earning wide praise for ‘Mahanati’. She works across Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam industries with projects spanning comedy, thriller, and period films. Keerthy actively collaborates with top composers and directors on music-heavy narratives. She also participates in social campaigns related to heritage and animal welfare.

Tamannaah Bhatia

Tamannaah Bhatia has delivered pan-Indian hits and high-profile streaming titles. Her key projects include ‘Baahubali’, ‘F3: Fun and Frustration’, and ‘Babli Bouncer’. She is a trained dancer who frequently anchors large-scale musical numbers. Business ventures in fashion and wellness complement her film work.

Mrunal Thakur

Mrunal Thakur moved from television to films and quickly made a mark in both Hindi and Telugu cinema. Her notable titles include ‘Super 30’, ‘Sita Ramam’, and ‘Jersey’. She often alternates between commercial entertainers and character-driven romances. International festival appearances and fashion editorials have broadened her profile.

Yami Gautam

Yami Gautam Dhar balances thrillers, dramas, and comedies with steady critical notice. Films like ‘Vicky Donor’, ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’, and ‘A Thursday’ showcase her range. She frequently collaborates with new directors and mid-budget originals. Off-screen, she supports initiatives around environmental conservation and rural education.

Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit Nene remains an iconic presence known for graceful dance and enduring hits. Her body of work includes ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, ‘Devdas’, and ‘Kalank’, alongside a successful turn in streaming with ‘The Fame Game’. She has served as a dance reality judge and launched an online dance academy. Philanthropy and health advocacy continue alongside select acting projects.

Share your favorites and the performances that won you over in the comments.