Who is that actor of Bollywood who got very close to being a superstar but couldn't make it to the top?

 Two of the finest actors of Indian cinema who got very close to being superstar's but never got the due recognition at top which they should have got are Dharmendra and Vinod Khanna.

1. Dharmendra:- Dharmendra is one of the finest actors in india. He gave many good and hit movies as well as criticaly accliamed one like Satyakam, Sholay, phool aur patthar, kab?kyon?kaha?, pratigya, dharam veer, Aankhen, Haqeeqat,Shikar, Jugnu,Ram balram, Gazab, Yaadon ki Baraat and many others. Infact Dharmendra was considered as one if the most handsome hero of industry still he could never make it to top superstar recognition. He deserved it.

2. Vinod Khanna:- Vinod Khanna emerged as a big star when Amitabh bacchan was reigning king of Industry. He started as a villian but gradually became protagonist. He too was considered one of the most handsome and good looking actor. At that time chatter was he will dethrone and surprass Amitabh bacchan but he quit acting in between to follow Osho and took break frommactong only to return later. This was biggest reason probably he couldn't make it to Top. His celebrated films include Hera Pheri, Haath ki Safai, Dayavan,Mukkadar ka sikandar, Amar Akbar anthony, Khoon pasina, Lahoo ke do rang, Inkaar, Parvarish, Qurbani, Achanak and many others.

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Who was the first female superstar of Bollywood? What was her name and what were her popular movies during her time?

 Hema Malini

Not only the first, she is perhaps the most successful actress of Bollywood of all times. Her record has not been bettered or even equalled by any other actress in Bollywood. She may not be the best of the actress of the industry but her stardom was unparalled.

Just look at the magazines and what they say about her- Superstar, one woman industry, heroes coaxing Hema to co star with him for their comebacks, films were sold on announcement due to her presence, she was favourites of both distinguished filmmakers and distributors. Her star power was unaoralleled in 1970s and much of 1980s

5 HGOTY- Johnny Mera Naam (1970), Seeta aur Geeta (1972), Sholay (1975), Dus Numbri (1976) and Kranti (1981)

Blockbusters- Johnny Mera Naam, Sholay, Pratigya, Sanyasi, Kranti, Meri Aawaz Suno, Naseeb, Andha Kanoon

Superhit- Raja Jani, Sharafat, Andaz, Jugnu, Dost, Amir Garib, Trishul, Veer Zaara, Baghban, Farz aur Kanoon, Chacha Bhatija

Hit- Naya Zamana, Tum Haseena Main Jawan, Khushboo, Dulhan, Dus Numbri, Baghavat, Samrat, Dard, Justice Chaudhary, Ramkali, Paraya Dhan, Dharmatma, Haath ki Safai, Aap Beati, Satte pe Satta, Azaad, Alibaba aur Chaalis Chor, Charas, Waris, Prem Nagar, Bhai ho to Aisa

Semi Hit/Above Average -Nastik, Aandhi Toofan, Sitapur ki Geeta, Qaidi, Dream Girl, Khel Khilari ka, Kasauti, Patthar aur Payal, Do Thug

She has more hits than Sridevi and Madhuri combined. She remained the top actress and highest paid actress from 1974–83. Between 1974–75 she worked in 15 films out of which 13 were hits. Similarly she had 8 hits and 3 average grossers between 1981–82. She is the only actress of 70’s and 80’s to have two 10 crores nett Grosser (Sholay and Kranti).

Even before Sridevi and Jayaprada we had Hema Malini from South conquering the Bollywood.

How did Sholay transform Amitabh Bachchan into a national icon, and what roles did he play that solidified his superstar status?

 Sholay was India's biggest hit period

Everybody involved with the movie prospered so did Amitabh Bachchan

With the release of Sholay Rajesh Khanna became the outgoing superstar

And the troika of Dharmendra,Manoj Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan were ruling the roost

Just two years after Sholay with the blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony

Amitabh Bachchan ended up topling Dharmendra and became the ultimate no 1

Inspite of have playing the 3rd lead after much more established Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar Amitabh Bachchan made his presence felt big time

Amitabh Bachchan's ear hiding hairstyle

And his all denim attire became the rage

Sholay solidified Amitabh Bachchan's superstar status period

from being the unconventionally Anwar Ali Anwar of Saat Hindustaani

To the promising Babu Moshai of Anand

To the up and coming Inspector Vijay of Zanjeer

With the advent of 1975

With the double whammy of Sholay and Deewar Amitabh Bachchan became the numero uno superstar for generations to come