Selecting 5 best actors from over 100 years of Indian /Hindi film history is a difficult job indeed. I have restricted it to male actors only, else 5 will be too small a number.For the benefit of foreigners (Non-Indian members of MS) I have in brackets mentioned the name of Holywood equivalents in terms of talent and public perception)
Top of the list obviously is Dilip Kumar, who started with the first talkie ’’Jwar Bhata’’ and still continues to hold an important position in the Hindi film industry though he doesn’t act much now a days. Dilip has not just been an actor , he is an institution, He has influenced every generation of stars. Rajendra Kumar, Manoj Kumar unabashedly copied him. Amitabh did copy his mirror scene from Kohinoor in Amar Akbar Anthony. Rajesh Khanna has often copied his style in Amar Prem and Aavishkar. Known as an intense , method actor specialising in serious, tragic roles, Dilip Kumar surprised everybody with his flair for comedy in Azaad, Kohinoor, Leader and Ram aur Shyam. His performances in countless films, too many to be listed have been unparalelled. Dilip Kumar’s contribution to Hindi filmdom has been immense and unmeasureable.(= Lawrence Olivier, Alec Guiness, Marlan Brando)Dilip Kumar is to Hindi films what Don Bradman is to Cricket.
Sanjeev Kumar: Initially doing stunt films, once Sanjeev hit the big screen in Shikar, there was no looking back, He arrived. His roles in Koshish, Aandhi, Naya din nayi raat, Anokhi raat, Sholay etc. were superb. Even in a brief role as a newcomer in Sabghursh, he held his ground against the mighty Dilip Kumar and was noticed with rave reviews. Fate took him away at very young age.(= Al Pacino, Peter o toole)
Amitabh Bachan: A very talented actor with a superb voice, perfect diction and towering personality in fact has never been well utilised at all. He got bogged down in stereo typed roles. Nevertheless whenever he got a chance he showed his histrionics in Sholay, Main Azad hoon, Deewar, Shakti, Chupke Chupke, and recently Aks. Amitabh after Dilip Kumar has been an institution, a brand, a one man industry. He continues to be an icon till date.( Tom Cruise, Sly Stallone, Robert Redford..all rolled into one)
Naseeruddin Shah: An immensely talented actor with a powerful expression has done a variety of roles in art cinema as well as in commercial cinema. His contribution to the art cinema has been superb.( Robert de Niro, Anthony Hopkins, Omar Sharif)
Kamal Hasan: Though did very few Hindi films, his performances in Ek duje ke liye, Sagar, Sadma, Chachi 420 etc remain memorable. His performance in a silent movie Pushpak remains unbeaten and unsurpassed. His contribution in South Indian films and overall Indian film Industry as such immensely qualifies him to join this august CLUB of 5 top actors.( Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant)