Bollywood actors who ventured in Gujarati cinema

The new age mainstream Gujarati cinema which is now getting famous day by day is also associated with big names of Bollywood actors. To everyone’s excitement, few Gujarati films have had Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah and many more. Let’s take a glimpse at how these B-town stars entered Dhollywood.
- Manvee Thacker

The legendary actor of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan has done films in various languages like English, Bhojpuri, Gujarati and many more. The brand ambassador of Gujarat made his debut in Dhollywood with ‘Naam Chhe Maru Ganga’, a Gujarati film which is a dubbed version of Bhojpuri film ‘Ganga Devi’. Even though it was a dubbed version of a Bhojpuri film, but with the star name of Amitabh Bachchan, the standard of Gujarati films increased extremely. ‘Naam Chhe Maru Ganga’ also starred Jaya Bachchan and Gulshan Grover. Big B further deepened his relation with Gujarat by making his debut as the producer of a Gujarati film, 'Saptapadii' in 2013. The duo Amitabh and Jaya were once again seen playing a pivotal role in a recent movie ‘Carry On Kesar’.
- Manvee Thacker

The Padma Shri Award winner already has a very successful acting career in Gujarati plays. Veteran actor of Hindi cinema made his debut in Dhollywood with ‘Parki Jani’ way back in 1991. Paresh Rawal who has a strong connection with Gujarati theatre has featured in Bollywood films based on his own plays. Some films which come to mind are 'OMG – Oh My God!' which is based on a Gujarati play 'Kanji Viruddh Kanji' and 'Aankhen', inspired by 'Aandhlo Paato'.
- Manvee Thacker

The Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan award winner has contributed incredibly to Indian cinema. Naseeruddin Shah made his debut in Dhollywood in the early 1980s with ‘Bhavni Bhavai’ (The Tale of Life). Along with Naseeruddin Shah, the movie also starred Om Puri, Smita Patil, Mohan Gokhale and Benjamin Gilani. The veteran actor played the main lead in the film in the role of King Chakrasen. The movie received a widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the best Gujarati films of all time. The other Gujju project taken up by Naseeruddin Shah was a children’s film ‘Dhh’. He played a magician called Surya Samrat, again giving a great performance. ‘Dhh’ won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the 65th National Film Awards.
- Manvee Thacker

Jackie Shroff is about to make his debut in Gujarati cinema. Gujarati Bhidu Jackie Shroff is soon going to be seen in ‘Ventilator’, the remake of a Marathi film. ‘Ventilator’, produced by Priyanka Chopra was widely praised by audience and won three National Awards and so now the film is about to be remade for Gujarati audience. Born in a Gujarati family in Mumbai, Jackie is very much excited and is looking forward to doing a movie in his own mother tongue. He will be seen playing the lead role in the movie alongside Gujarati co-actor Pratik Gandhi.
- Manvee Thacker

Bollywood and television actress Supriya Pathak has given stellar performances in many Hindi films. Born in a Kathiawadi Gujarati and Punjabi family, Supriya is a famous star in Gujarati theatre circles. The ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’ actress decided to step into Gujarati cinema in 2017. She made her debut in ‘Carry On Kesar’ followed by another hit ‘Best of Luck Laalu’ in the same year. Her debut ‘Carry On Kesar’ received great critical acclaim and we look forward to seeing her deliver more hits in Gujarati cinema.
- Manvee Thacker