Bollywood holds a special place in anyone who dreams of acting. And no matter how popular you are on small screen, you want to make it big in the bigger arena. And that is exactly what some of these popular TV actors did. Some of them forayed into Bollywood quitting their successful TV careers while some of them did it to try their luck out. But not everyone makes it in the industry.
1. Amar Upadhyay
We first saw him in Dekh Bhai Dekh as the awkward guy in his early 20s, Sahil Diwan. He was the nephew of Shekhar Suman’s character on the show. But he got his major break in TV with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Mihir, his character, soon became the ideal son, and a household name in India. After his success in television he ventured into film with Dhund – The Fog (2003), along with Aditi Govitrikar, and also appeared in J.P. Dutta’s war movie, LOC Kargil (2003) but sadly his film career did not turn out as expected.
2. Rajeev Khandelwal
He made his debut with Kahiin To Hoga and became an instant success. He did a few other shows and was also the main lead in Left Right Left. But he left that serial and was replaced by Gaurav Chopra because he wanted to venture into Bollywood. His first movie, Aamir, came out in 2008 and although his acting was applauded, the movie was a box office fail. He did numerous films after that but none were successful.
3. Eijaz Khan
He also first appeared in Kahiin To Hoga and then went on to become quite a successful Indian TV actor. But he took a break from TV in 2008 for his Bollywood film Meerabai Not Out. The film sadly was a box office fail and he returned to TV shortly after that. He has been in some films but he only gained some attention in 2011 when he played Madhavan’s sardar friend, Jassi in Tanu Weds Manu. On TV he appears in some episodes of CID now-a-days and last came in Tanu Weds Many Returns in 2015.
4. Gurmeet Choudhary
Gurmeet rose to fame on Indian TV playing the role of Lord Ram in Ramayan (2008 TV series). After that he participated in many reality shows like Pati, Patni Aur Woh, Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa and Nach Baliye. He also was the lead in Geet – Hui Sabse Parai. He recently starred in the movie Khamoshiyan in 2015. It recorded below average on box office.
5. Jay Bhanushali
He is best known for playing the role of Neev in Balaji’s “Kayamath” on Star Plus. He made his debut in Bollywood with Platform No.6 in 2013 followed by Hate Story 2 and Ek Paheli Leela. But none of the films worked on box office. He was last seen in season 7 of Khatron Ke Khiladi.
6. Aamna Sharif
She debuted opposite Rajeev Khandelwal in Kahiin To Hoga and instantly rose to fame. The show was a huge success and so was Aamna. But then she left TV to star in Bollywood and even though she delivered 2 films in one year, both opposite Aftab Shivadasani, none of them worked and Aamna’s Bollwyood career never took flight.
7. Karan Singh Grover
Karan Singh Grover debuted with Balaji Telefimls’ Kitnii Mast Hai Zindagi but rose to fame with their Kasautii Zindagii Kay. He became the most oular face on TV with his role of Dr. Armaan Malik in Dill Mill Gayye. But then he went on to work in Bollywood and tried his luck there. He has done 4 films so far, out of which 2 came last year only, but he hasn’t had much luck yet.
8. Hansika Motwani
She was everyone’s lovable girl from Shaka Laka Boom Boom. She also played one of Hrithik’s friends in Koi Mil Gaya. But then, at the age of 16, she starred opposite Himesh Reshamiyya in Tera Surroor and her career just sank from there.
9. Manish Paul
Manish Paul is our favorite host on Indian TV. He has hosted many reality shows and few award shows as well. He debuted in Bollywood with his film Micky Virus but the movie tanked. He was recently seen in Tere Bin Laden 2 and now is back to TV.
10. Barun Sobti
Barun Sobti became a household name when his serial came on Indian TV in 2012 opposite Sanaya Irani. He was a favorite male lead for many. But then he took a break from TV to try his hand in Bollywood and came his movie Mai Aur Mr. Right. But it was a big flop. Barun returned to TV and his serial after that.
11. Salil Ankola
Salil Ankola started as a cricketer but soon became one of the most known faces of Indian TV. He starred in many serials like Karam Apna Apna, Kehta Hai Dil etc. But he wanted to try his luck in Bollywood and ventured there. He did four to five films but none of them worked and Salil was back to TV soon enough.
12. Rannvijay
Rannvijay was the first ever Roadie of India. He then went to become a MTV VJ and Roadies‘ host. He was the role model for all Roadie aspirants and a favorite among all women too. But then his first ever Bollwyood movie, Toss: A Flip With Destiny came out and it did not work very well. He has played side characters in a number of movies since then but nothing major. Now he is back to TV as a Roadies judge.
13. Sameer Kochhar
Sameer Kocchar started his career with Doordarshan’s AIDS awareness cum travel show Haath Se Haath Mila which he anchored with Sugandha Garg. He made his Bollywood film debut in 2003 with Sumeer Sabharwal’s bilingual film Valentine Days. He rose to fame on Indian TV when he starred in the very popular Bade Ache Lagte Hain. He has done numerous films but none managed to make any waves at the box office. Currently, he is an IPL anchor.
14. Anita Hassandani Reddy
Anita is one of the most popular and known faces on Indian TV. She has appeared on many shows and has done many films as well. She starred opposite Tusshar Kapoor as well in Balaji Telefilm’s produced Kucch Toh Hai but none of her Bollywood ventures worked. She is now back on TV as Shagun in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein.
15. Shruti Seth
Shruti Seth debuted on TV as the lovable teenage witch Jiya in Shararat. She was quite popular and that was how she got a chance for Bollywood as well. She tried her luck there but never got a chance to play a lead role. She has only appeared in small roles in movies and has unfortunately failed to create an impact on the audience.
16. Aman Verma
Aman Verma tasted fame on Indian TV when he came on the screen as Anupam Kapadia in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Aman was no newbie to TV or acting but this role brought him fame and love of audience both. He has acted in many Bollywood movies but has only played successful side roles. His two movies, in which he played the lead, tanked miserably.
17. Karan Kundra
Karan Kundra debuted on TV with Kitni Mohabbat Hai and went on to become a common household name. His sizzling chemistry with co-star Kritika Kamra was very well-received and appreciated by the Indian audience. He also tried out his luck in Bollywood and acted in a couple of films but none of them worked. Recently he was seen hosting Channel V’s Gumraah.
18. Prachi Desai
Prachi Desai was adored in her television career as Bani in Kasamh Se, but she soon left it for films. Though the actress has done a few films in Bollywood, like Rock On, she couldn’t make a mark in the industry.
19. Indraneil Sengupta
He catapulted to fame with his very first TV serial Pyaar Ke Do Naam – Ek Radha Ek Shyam. Though he had done a film Shukriya – Till Death Do Us Apart, it was on TV that he gained recognition. He got a big break with Vikram Bhatt’s thriller 1920 after Mumbai Salsa but it didn’t work out well.
20. Sara Khan
She became popular with her very first serial Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai and films beckoned. Lured by a career in Bollywood, the actress even quit her debut show mid-way. She had then said in an interview that she was not keen on daily soaps. But her film Payback did not pay at all and Sara was back on TV with Bigg Boss and a serial Ram Milayee Jodi.