Hansal Mehta curates IMDb lists featuring his favourite actors across generations : Bollywood News

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, known for his acclaimed works such as Scam 1992, Shahid, and Aligarh, has collaborated with IMDb to curate two special lists honouring actors who have left a significant mark on Indian cinema. The lists, divided into male and female performers, showcase a range of legends and contemporary talents whom Mehta credits for shaping his cinematic sensibilities.

Hansal Mehta curates IMDb lists featuring his favourite actors across generations

Describing his selection of male actors, Mehta shared, “A personal curation of India’s most unforgettable male performers—artists who leave behind echoes long after the final fade out.” The list includes long-time collaborators like Rajkummar Rao, who starred in multiple Mehta films including Shahid and CityLights, Pratik Gandhi from Scam 1992, and Manoj Bajpayee, known for his nuanced performances in Aligarh and other projects.

The 34-name roster also features veteran performers and younger talents, reflecting a broad span of cinematic eras. Names such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Balraj Sahni, and Amol Palekar sit alongside newer entrants like Adarsh Gourav, Fahadh Faasil, and Gagandev Riar, showing Mehta’s appreciation for performances rooted in craft and storytelling.

For the female actors, Mehta’s tone shifted to admiration for the varied dimensions these women bring to cinema. “Icons, rebels, muses—these women have often defined and redefined the Indian cinema experience for me. A list written in admiration, and sometimes, awe,” he wrote. His top 10 includes both iconic and contemporary names: Alia Bhatt, Amruta Subhash, Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia, Kareena Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma, Madhuri Dixit, Manju Warrier, Nargis, and Nimisha Sajayan.

The lists reflect Mehta’s nuanced view of Indian cinema, celebrating performances that are complex, grounded, and emotionally resonant. Rather than relying solely on stardom, Mehta’s choices aims to highlight artists whose work has consistently pushed boundaries and left a lasting impression. By curating these lists, Hansal Mehta not only honoured the craft of acting but also invited audiences to rediscover performances that continue to influence Indian storytelling.

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