Deepika Padukone tops IMDb’s most viewed Indian stars of the decade list, Shah Rukh Khan takes second spot

Deepika Padukone tops IMDb’s most viewed Indian stars of the decade list, Shah Rukh Khan takes second spot

The old idea of stardom, measured only by box office hits and rigid formulas, no longer defines Indian cinema. Today, success is fragmented, but that fragmentation is actually a strength. Audiences now want variety, authenticity, and representation. Actors no longer need to mold themselves into narrow standards; instead, they bring their real selves to the screen, and viewers respond by finding heroes who reflect their own lives.

In this shift, women have carved out a powerful space. Deepika Padukone, who debuted in 2007, tops IMDb’s Most Viewed Indian Stars of the Last Decade (2024) with ten movies in the dataset. She stands out not just for hit counts but for her ability to shape her own career path. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, with six films, represents another model, early Bollywood success followed by a deliberate pivot to global projects. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Alia Bhatt also feature prominently, showing how Indian actresses today navigate careers that balance both domestic and international recognition.

The IMDb rankings highlight how this generational shift plays out. Deepika leads the list, followed by Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Alia Bhatt ranks at No. 4, signaling the new wave of women stars commanding both critical respect and box office attention. Even veterans like Aishwarya, whose last major dataset entry was Enthiran in 2010, continue to appear regularly in IMDb popularity lists. Alia, meanwhile, has made her mark with standout roles in Highway (2014) and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), films that not only scored with audiences but also redefined the kind of stories women can anchor.

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The truth, however, is that women-led films are still rare. Movies like Kannathil Muthamittal and Queen remain exceptions rather than the rule. Even strong female-led projects like Kahaani and Gangubai Kathiawadi only narrowly missed breaking into the top IMDb decade list. Industry bias, inconsistent box office returns, and the assumption that women cannot carry a film alone continue to weigh heavily.

Yet the most striking change is that women are no longer waiting for the system to adapt. They’re diversifying, spanning global franchises, entrepreneurial ventures, and international collaborations. Instead of depending on domestic structures, they’re leveraging star power across multiple platforms. This parallel success strengthens their influence and ensures their value in cinema endures, not as exceptions but as trailblazers redefining what Indian stardom looks like.