As Lucky Ali turns a year older on September 19, here's a look at Bollywood singers like Himesh Reshammiya, Sonu Nigam, Badshah, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Baba Sehgal, Swanand Kirkire, Shaan and many others who have turned actors!
Updated On: 2019-08-14 03:00 PM IST
Badshah: Badshah turned down way too many promising projects, including Vicky Kaushal's role in Lust Stories (2018), and that of Diljit Dosanjh's role in Good Newwz, as he wasn't confident enough. The actor finally took the plunge with Sonakshi Sinha-starrer Khandaani Shafakhana.
Himesh Reshammiya: Singer, music director, lyricist Himesh Reshammiya made his acting debut in Aap Kaa Surroor - The Real Luv Story. He was later seen in films like Karzzzz, Radio, Khiladi 786 and The Xpose. He was also seen as a mentor and judge on The Voice. He was last seen in Teraa Surroor, the sequel to Aap Ka Surroor. Himesh was last seen in a double role in ,Happy Hardy and Heer.
Lucky Ali: ,He is the son of the maverick comedian and actor Mehmood Ali. Singer, lyricist and composer, Lucky Ali, known for his ballad-style singing has acted in quite a few films like Yeh Hain Zindagi (1977), Trikaal (1985), Kaante (2002), Sur - The Melody of Life (2002) and others.
Sunidhi Chauhan: We have all heard Sunidhi Chauhan sing since she was 13 (her first song was Ladki Deewani Dekho from Shastra in 1996). She later gave hits such as Dhoom Machaale (Dhoom), Dance Pe Chance (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) and Girls Like To Swing (Dil Dhadakne Do). She has also appeared as a judge on Indian Idol 5 and 6 and turned coach recently for the Indian edition of The Voice (2015). Sunidhi Chauhan added another feather to her cap by making her acting debut in the short film Playing Priya, which was produced by Humaramovie and directed by Arif Ali. The fantasy thriller was about a bored housewife who finally gets some alone time when her kids go to school and her husband is out of town. But then something happens that forces her to behave a certain way.
Swanand Kirkire: Lyricist, playback singer, writer, assistant director, dialogue writer Swanand Kirkire is an actor too. He has acted in around 20 on-screen ventures - including Marathi, Hindi films and web series. The two-time National Film Award-winner for Best Lyrics (for the song Bande Me Tha Dum... Vande Mataram and Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh), Swanand has even won a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Marathi film Chumbak. He was last seen in Ghoomketu and Raat Akeli Hai, both in 2020.
Monali Thakur: The Sawaar Loon singer who rose to fame with Indian Idol, made her Bollywood debut with the film Lakshmi. She has also made cameo appearances in PK and Secret Superstar. She also acted in a short film titled Jangle Bells along with Namit Das.
Raageshwari Loomba: Indian pop singer Raageshwari has acted in quite a few Hindi films, viz., Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003), Tum Jiyo Hazaron Saal (2002), Hum Saath Saath Hain (1998), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Aankhen and many others.
Mika Singh: Singer-composer Mika Singh made his Bollywood debut in Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya with Shaan. He had also acted in Punjabi films, before Bollywood, namely Wrath Kapoor and Mitti.
Honey Singh: Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh who rose to fame with Lungi Dance in Chennai Express has acted in films too. Besides a couple of Punjabi films, he was seen in Bollywood films Boss and The Xpose. He was last seen playing the titular character in the Punjabi action-romantic film Zorawar alongside actresses Gurbani Judge and Parul Gulati.
Aditya Narayan: Singer-composer Aditya Narayan acted with Salman Khan in Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai as a child actor and was later seen in Pardes and Rangeela. He has also hosted music reality shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs among others. His last mainstream outing was Vikram Bhatt's horror movie Shaapit wherein he played the lead role.
Sonu Nigam: World famous singer, composer Sonu Nigam who has won several accolades in the field of music made his acting debut as a child with the film Kaamchor (1982). Later, he acted in films like Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani, Kash Aap Hamare Hote, Love in Nepal and other films.
Ali Zafar: Pakistani singer-lyricist and composer Ali Zafar made his Bollywood acting debut with Tere Bin Laden in 2010 and was nominated for the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. He was later seen in many films like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, London Paris New York, Chashme Baddoor, Total Siyapaa and Dear Zindagi.
Anushka Manchanda: She rose to fame after becoming a member of the Indipop girl group Viva. She started her career as a playback singer in the Tamil film industry in 2004. In 2006, she sang for Hindi film Golmaal. This was followed by several other songs composed by Anu Malik, Salim-Sulaiman, Pritam and Shankar Ehsaan-Loy, among others. She did a cameo in Dulha Mil Gaya. She has also acted in Angry Indian Goddesses in 2015.
Abhijeet Sawant: ,Indian Idol winner Abhijeet Sawant made his acting debut in the film Lottery in 2009. He also made a small appearance at the end of the film Tees Maar Khan. Abhijeet also made a special appearance as himself in the romantic drama series Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai and TV show C.I.D.
Sukhwinder Singh: Popular playback singer Sukhwinder Singh who sang Jai Ho that won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, acted in a Punjabi film Kuchh Kariye and played the lead role. He was last seen in Kill Dil, starring Ranveer Singh, Govinda and Ali Zafar.
Shaan: Shaan made his Bollywood debut as an actor in Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya with fellow crooner Mika Singh. He also made cameo appearances as himself in Secret Superstar and Helicopter Eela.
Remo Fernandes: Goan pop singer Remo Fernandes was seen playing the role of a Goan Don in the hit film Ek Villain. He also appeared in Bombay Velvet.
Baba Sehgal: Indian rapper and Indipop singer Baba Sehgal has a couple of Hindi film roles to his credit, viz, My Friend Ganesha 3 (2010) and Miss 420 (1998). He was also seen in multiple films down south like ,Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiyada (2016), Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo (2015), Rudramadevi (2015). His was last seen in Bollywood film Helicopter Eela (2018).
Mukesh: Singer Mukesh ventured into acting with the film Nirdosh in 1941. A plethora of acting projects followed, a few noteworthy among which were Shree 420, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Raat Aur Din, Mera Naam Joker, Shor, Kabhi Kabhie and more.
Kishore Kumar: Singer-composer and lyricist Kishore Kumar is considered as one of the most successful playback singers in the Hindi film industry. He made his acting debut in 1946 with the film Shikari and went on to give several hits like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Half Ticket, Padosan, Paying Guest and several other notable films.