Beautiful Indian Actresses

by Vikas Kamat
First Online: August 09, 2009
Page Last Updated: August 20, 2024

Feminine Beauty in India

The concept of feminine beauty has evolved over time in Indian Cinema, just as it has changed in society during that period. Voluptuous and strong women were considered more beautiful than thin and delicate at one time, as evident in contemporary art and literature. This article explores the various leading ladies of Indian Cinema who were known for their beauty during their reign.

Actress Jayaprada in Sagara Sangamam, Telugu, 1983

Beauties of Early Years

Madhubala and Vaijayantimala Bali were considered the beauty queens of Indian cinema during their reign.

Hema Malini, Rekha and the Southern Belles

A bunch of southern girls were to rule Bollywood, replacing the fair and tall  heroines.

Actress Rekha in Umrao Jaan, 1981

Age of the Beauty Queens

In the year 1994 two Indian models, Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen won internal beauty pageants, and this was to transform India into a "beauty-queen worshipping" culture like never before. The two models successfully launched into movies, millions of Indians fell in love with them.