From Pankaj Tripathi to Manoj Bajpayee, Here Are 5 Bollywood Underdog Actors Who Disobeyed The Norms

Success, so the saying goes, favors the lucky, the affluent, and the gifted. But every so often, a narrative of resiliency, tenacity, and unshakable devotion emerges that defies all expectations. These underdogs have emerged from obscurity to become real symbols of victory in the glamorous world of entertainment, where aspirations are both realized and dashed.

These people have carved out their own paths, making their imprint on the stage, the silver screen, and the airways despite years of rejection and breaking through social boundaries. Today, let’s explore the uplifting stories of underdogs who triumphed in the entertainment business, demonstrating that with courage and unwavering faith, dreams may come true.

Pankaj Tripathi

Pankaj Tripathi, who embodies humility, has enthralled viewers with his flawless acting abilities and approachable personality. Tripathi has garnered a ton of fame and recognition for his faultless performances in films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Mirzapur, and more. It took this outstanding actor over two decades to make a reputation for himself in the film industry. It’s interesting because Tripathi previously said that he would have been a farmer or entered politics if he hadn’t chosen to pursue acting. His breakthrough came in 2012 with his famous hostile depiction in the “Gangs of Wasseypur” serial after making his debut in 2004 with small parts in movies like “Run” and “Omkara.” One of the best performers working today, Pankaj Tripathi—better known as Kaleen Bhaiya from “Mirzapur”—leaves an imprint on the silver screen.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

With his captivating performances, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a real underdog-turned-superstar, has won over fans’ hearts. From his breakout performances in “Talaash,” “Badlapur,” “Sacred Games,” and “Gangs of Wasseypur,” Siddiqui has established himself as a talent powerhouse. Even when he played a fascinating villain in the Salman Khan movie Kick, he went above and beyond expectations! It is indeed amazing how far he has come from being credited as “Criminal 1” and “Waiter” to now working with A-list stars like Aamir Khan and Salman Khan. At the National Film Awards 2012, Siddiqui’s extraordinary skill was recognized with the Special Jury Award for his great performance in movies like “Kahaani,” “Gangs of Wasseypur,” “Dekh Indian Circus,” and “Talaash.” He recently appeared in Kangana Ranaut’s film “Tiku Weds Sheru.”

Manoj Bajpayee

Manoj Bajpayee, a genuine industry treasure, routinely gives incredible performances that astound viewers. Although he made his Bollywood debut in the 1994 movie Bandit Queen, Manoj Bajpayee’s breakout performance came in Ram Gopal Verma’s Satya. His subsequent highly lauded performances in films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Aligarh, in which he played a homosexual professor, earned him the coveted Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. Especially noteworthy, Bajpayee has gained popularity for his compelling performance in the Amazon Prime Video series The Family Man. Despite his extraordinary brilliance, he has seldom ever been given the credit he deserves. Manoj Bajpayee’s iconic roles have helped him carve out a position in the business and solidify his reputation as a great acting powerhouse.

Sanjay Mishra

Sanjay Mishra has overcome the difficulties and become a household figure in Bollywood. Despite years of hardship, his breakout performance as Shukla in the popular TV series Office Office propelled him to fame. Despite being known for his comic prowess, Mishra’s skill is cross-genre, as seen by his outstanding performance in Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan, which netted him a coveted Filmfare nomination. But movies like Aankhon Dekhi really showcase his acting talent and make us aware of how underrated he is as an actor. Sanjay Mishra, a graduate of the esteemed National School of Drama, has a clear commitment to his profession and deserves the recognition and notoriety that elude him.

Swapnil Jain

Talented actor-turned-writer Swapnil Jain has overcome all obstacles to become a rising figure in the entertainment industry. He started his writing, performing, and theatrical experience in 2014 from Bhawani Mandi in Rajasthan. Swapnil’s flexibility as a dramatist, actor, director, and writer for different organizations and NGOs is evident. Swapnil began by demonstrating his acting abilities in online series like “Crash Course,” but his extraordinary writing ability quickly gained prominence. His involvement with Pocket FM and the ground-breaking audio series “Insta Millionaire,” which received over 300 million listens and several accolades, changed the game for Swapnil. The award-winning dramas Romeo and Juliet in Smart Cities of Contemporary India and HAIN!, which received praise and were shown at national theater festivals, were written by Swapnil when she was engaged in the world of audio series. Swapnil has worked as both a writer and an actor in the Disney+Hotstar streaming movie “Rubisha.”