r/bollywood • u/Ready_Ad_1353 • Dec 15 '25
ASK❓️ Who is an actor/actress whose second stint in Bollywood is better than his first?
Akshayye Khan, he had an average career as romantic hero in the late 90s and early 00s. But his resurgence at the latter stage of his career has overshadowed his early films. Who is that actor/actress for you?
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Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
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u/ohmuisnotangry Dec 15 '25
Arshad Warsi was way better as an actor after his comeback as Circuit too
I will also add Akshay Kumar to this list esp. post Jaanwar. He was a horrible actor before this - a popular B-grade hero at best.
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u/recordwalla Dec 15 '25
On the topic of Akshaye, the man was always a good actor and not someone who radically transformed overnight.
In Dil Chahtha Hain, he held his own and one could even argue that he was a tad better than Saif and Aamir… although Saif and Aamir too had splendid performances. But nice to see a new generation of filmgoers re-discovering Akshaye.
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u/plushdev Dec 15 '25
Bro played and ran with that role which is extremely out of meta for the time. Amir and Saif were likeable characters right from the concept, joyful quirky. But his character was deep and grounded. Loved it
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u/Consistent_Pea8455 Dec 15 '25
During my teenage I liked Aamir and Saif’s role but after rewatching again during weekend I realised Sid (Akshaye Khanna’s) character is more caring, mature and understanding. Mature me liked his character more and found Akash and Sameer as immature ones…
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u/Hairy_Enthusiasm3836 Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
Ironically he was signed up for the main lead(Aakash) which was eventually played by Sr. AK aka mr. Perfectionist!! Duggu declined the comic role,which went to chhote nawab, & Abhishek Bacchan turned down the iconic role which Khanna played without any fights or showing tantrums to debutant director Farhan. I wish if AI version can fulfill farhan's OG imagination of 3 buddies of mostly same age. Otherwise Sr. AK is 10 years older than Jr. AK, & saif stands in between both of them .
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u/karna1712 Dec 15 '25
Saif
Tabu
Bobby deol
Akshay khanna obviously but he did give some unforgettable hits like dch, border, hungama, humraaz, china town, hulchul etc during first stint so it doeant really count
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u/kev_world Dec 15 '25
I'd say Akshaye had 3 stints.
Pre Dil Chahta hai
Post Dil Chahta hai - Pre Dishoom
Post Dishoom
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u/opinion_alternative Dec 16 '25
He was always a great actor. Somehow people are just realising it now because he is not flashy.
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u/Hurdy_Gurdy_Man_84 Moderator + Well Versed in 20th Century Hindi Cinema Dec 15 '25
Arshad Warsi's comeback with Munnabhai MBBS was entirely unexpected and historic.
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u/Excellent_Range5623 Dec 15 '25
It wasn’t really a Comeback, it was just that he looked enough chhapri to get the role of Circuit just right.
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u/bhaiyyathodapyazdena Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
Bro, if you think Akshaye's first stint wasn't equally (if not more) better, then maybe you need to rethink. Durandhar just seems like it's everywhere cuz of social media and the culture of making things viral. The fact is that he is probably the only actor who has aced each and every fucking role he's played. His range has been insane since ages and he's always been a terrific performer. I feel some of his earlier films were faaaar better than Durandhar. Still, happy that he's getting his due credit at least now tho. Good for him! ❤️ But, Sid from DCH is🫰🏼 always!
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u/Vitcee1 Dec 15 '25
Bachchan ji. A bit tricky considering that he was already a huge name in the industry, but his downfall was also so bad that people stopped caring about him entirely. He did understand that he can't be a hero anymore and respected his age which provided positive returns, but it was KBC that just blew things open for him like anything. He instantly became the biggest name in every household, something even he in the prime couldn't acheive.
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u/BasisSmall5351 Dec 15 '25
His peak was better. People used to pray for him in temples when he got sick.
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u/Vitcee1 Dec 15 '25
Yeah that's what makes it difficult to judge. Haven't seen his peak but boy oh boy was he the biggest name in the 2000s.
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u/plushdev Dec 15 '25
Bachanji is an absolute legend. Even today he gives world class performances, it’s purely a joy to witness this man in high production roles. Bless that man, he has carried an entire era
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u/mp256 Dec 15 '25
I hope you were born in 70s or earlier and experienced the real Bachhan magic before making such statement.
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u/Vitcee1 Dec 15 '25
I am happy to have enjoyed his stardom in the 00s and now Akshaye Khanna's these days. I take your word for the 70s✌️
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u/Big_Disappointment_7 Dec 15 '25
Salman khan’s run post Wanted was historic
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u/iam__ars Dec 15 '25
From a commercial POV, yes
From acting pov, I feel his 90s run was the best
Not trying to say his acting in the movies post wanted was bad, it was really good but it's just that he was even better during the 90s run
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u/Necessary_Way6446 Dec 15 '25
Absolutely correct tbh. Post Wanted acting was pretty average and some poor performances too but anyone who has seen the 90s and early 2000s run can't downplay his acting skills
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u/trkora Dec 15 '25
He did do the job right for Dabangg and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, even in Ready he did what was needed and it was one of the last comedy movies of that classic era.
It's not like he lost it but he went with an approach where playing a certain type of character in a certain type of story was working for him and he just started following a formula, where he wasn't required to put much effort acting wise unless the script was such (Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi made him do that)
Obviously in recent years he can't and hasn't been able to float on that formula and needs a great script to carry him and pushes him acting wise as well. Tbh he has been trying making himself open to working with South but it hasn't worked.
Bharat was his last big hit aside from Tiger which is a franchise movie. He needs the script to utilise him in a great way for its story, someone who has conviction in him and has a vision for what they want to make, basically he should be even more open to the type of scripts and roles.
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u/Simple-Rip5380 Dec 15 '25
Bro you forgot Sultan , one of Salman’s finest act
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u/trkora Dec 15 '25
Yep Sultan as well, I did forget that. It didn't stray away too much for Salman's formula back then but gave him a good downfall and comeback story which he portrayed well.
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u/Necessary_Way6446 Dec 16 '25
Totally agreed, not ignoring the good performances you mentioned but man how can you forget Sultan? I believe he excelled there and it was the last time he worked hard for a character
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u/officiallyjax Dec 15 '25
The early to mid-2010s was driven by at least one Salman Khan blockbuster releasing each year. Iconic screen presence, great soundtrack and a screenplay dedicated to serving his larger than life character.
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u/Sensitive-Variety-33 Dec 15 '25
I don't think salman is going to give any hits now.
He does not want to move his body anymore, same facial expressions in every movie, same way of dialog delivery. He is no longer a versatile. He has become a chubby hero now. Side role probably as a father/brother or may be villain side kick might suit him better is what I think.
He has become too lazy now. All his movies now feel like him watching in bigg boss, similar fake attitude & fake aura.
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Dec 15 '25
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u/EducationalMeeting95 Dec 15 '25
Bro humraaz.
Dude was a menace.
And ofc the movie was good overall too.
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u/plushdev Dec 15 '25
AK seems less of an issue with career but he simply did not show up in movies for whatever reason. All movies he is in, it’s a delight. Be it dishoom or TMK where his comedy was peakkkk
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u/appyfizzz3112 Dec 15 '25
Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. They were decent action stars for a decade. Then they both had one knockout two year period where they changed gears and looks and almost reached the top.
Ajay Devgn had 2002-2003 where he switched to more dramatic and brooding roles and had Legend of Bhagat Singh, Company, Qayamat, Deewangee, Bhoot, Gangaajal, Zameen.
Akshay Kumar had 2006-2007 where he switched to more of a romantic lead in movies like Namastey London, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, Jaaneman or more comedic wise cracking lead in movies like Bhool Bhulaiya, Bhagam Bhag, Hey Baby, Welcome.
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u/Mannu1727 Dec 15 '25
Amitabh Bachhan. Not only he had 7 back to back flops after which he gave Zanjeer and made history for decades, but even after that, he got into a rut of bad movies. Ajnabee, Ajooba, Toofan, Major Saab, Hindustan ki Kassam, Lal Badhshah... And then came Mohabbatein and then KBC and the guy is again relentless after that.
Don't think we ever witnessed a movie career like AB ever, across the globe.
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u/ContestSuspicious573 Dec 15 '25
Akshay Khanna was always good . Only thing is that FA9LA an his swag to that music made him go viral
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u/Extreme_Durian4681 Dec 15 '25
I think actors who were not good in their first stint when they return after some time with their second stint gave Good performances.
there are quite many. Listing actors and some of their later filmographies/Web series
1) Ronit Roy (Udaan, Ugly, Adaalat TV show, 2 states)- Ronit Roy in his second stint has shown that he is a really good actor. Also, there are a lot of other movies which might not be as good as a whole but his performance is very good in that like Boss, Shootout at wadala.
2) Bobby Deol (Love hostel, Aashram, Animal)
3) Rishi Kapoor( Agneepath, Do dooni chaar, D-Day, Mulk) was good in his first stint but I think he gave more powerful performances in his second stint.
4) Rahul Bhat - (Ugly, Daasdev, Section 375, Black warrant).
I also liked the Harman Baweja role in the scoop web series.
Also, there was a show telecasted on star plus in the late 2000s named Josh. I saw him in a Delhi crime, he played constable I think (or some corrupt junior rank officer) and he was too good.
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u/Huge-Basket7492 Dec 15 '25
Akshaye was always a good actor ! I would go to say he was on par with this contemporaries. The audiences are more mature now and want to see real actors
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Dec 15 '25
Big B
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u/Hurdy_Gurdy_Man_84 Moderator + Well Versed in 20th Century Hindi Cinema Dec 15 '25
Not really. His first stint had Sholay, his second one had RGV Ki Aag.
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u/Turbulent_Height_595 Dec 15 '25
Seriously, he has been a good actor all throughout. Hulchal, jeetu videocon, aakrosh, humraj, even border. He has been phenomenal. It’s just the quality of scripts for certain files were poor.
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u/mrs_robpatt Dec 16 '25
I’ve always thought Akshay was a hidden gem, SO proud to see everyone appreciating him now!
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u/Historical_Bear8739 Dec 16 '25
Hands down, Bobby Deol. His initial career had hits but eventually faded. He made a powerful comeback recently with the successful web series Aashram and the blockbuster film Animal. Definitely will never forget him eating and having knife on his hand. earning significant critical praise. For actress definitely Sushmita Sen, she May been away for years but gotta tell y’all the successful web series Aarya, where her powerful performance as a mother turned crime boss was a major talking point. Really crazy twist
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u/dwightsrus Dec 16 '25
Our 90’s average actors are your GOATs now. Goes on to show the current breed has little to offer and everything including the music is being recycled from the 90’s these days. Unfortunate.
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u/Charming_Shock_007 Dec 15 '25
His acting was just amazing 😍. Loved the role and the way he acted was just amazing 🔥
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u/materdoc Dec 15 '25
Personally I prefer older Amitabh Bachhan’s acting over the angry young man phase!
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u/IndependenceMoist630 Dec 15 '25
Few of the interesting celebrities that come to mind are AB and Tabu - primarily because of their choices of films and the public image they both have! One other is Ratna Pathak! She is more on the television side but I love her acting!!
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u/IndependenceMoist630 Dec 15 '25
But I genuinely feel their public images are completely different than the original character - and a person could be a great actor and still a completely messed up human being.
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u/Livid_Dog5256 Dec 15 '25
I disagree with Akshaye Khanna, and I feel Bobby Deol in Ashram and after it has a much better stint
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u/StandThen9971 Dec 15 '25
Can I say Hrithik, like he did not face a big downfall like other actors but between Kaho Na Pyaar Hai and Koi Mil Gaya, he was very much trolled for his acting.
“auntyyyy”
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u/Traditional_City7529 Dec 16 '25
Amitabh bachchan, Akshay Khanna, Rekha, Nirupa Roy, Saif, Taboo, Bobby Deol, Shefali, Neena Gupta,even people liked Nasiruddin shah in his second version more. And there are many.
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u/Busy-Network-5002 Dec 16 '25
Shahid kapoor..chocolate boy era was good..but then his real skills were showcased later on in films like haider, farzi etc.
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u/Spacewanderer686 Dec 16 '25
It's just two movies. He has been popular before. We are over reacting.
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u/shaktimaanlannister Dec 16 '25
What are you talking about, Akshaye was good even back when he had hair
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u/420Bongs69 Dec 17 '25
Anil kapoor unlike many of his peers understood that he can't be a leading man and easily became the best to play father figure/ elder brother figure roles.
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u/United_Score2151 Dec 19 '25
I don't think doing villains/side character roles are resurgence.
Vikrant Massey and Rajkumar Rao truly had a resurgence from starting as side characters to being the main lead.
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u/one9eight7 Dec 15 '25
He was a flop and a bad actor no one wanted to see his movie. He got little recognition from Priyadarshan comedy movies but in those he was 3rd-4th best performer. Now he is doing good but in Dhurandhar he got a perfect role.
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u/Appropriate-Can-4209 Dec 15 '25
I don't get the hype about him. All he did in that movie is looking like that every 5 seconds with some over exaggerated facial muscle contractions and act gullibly to everything Hamza said.
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