Bollywood versus Hollywood

Heralding a new age of the Bollywood idol, this six-foot green-eyed bodybuilder is more Hollywood action hero than traditionally sappish Indian leading man. Roshan's edgy appeal increased when the Bombay mafia tried to force him into starring in its films.
See him in: his smash hit debut, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai.

The Kapoor dynasty - Bollywood's Barrymores

Ever since the first cameras rolled, there has been a Kapoor at work in Bollywood. Prithviraj Kapoor was a Thirties screen idol and fourth-generation sisters Karishma and Kareena continue to inspire adoration.
Number of Kapoors with Bollywood careers: 24.

Madhuri Dixit - Bollywood's Gwyneth Paltrow

Dixit will forever be remembered for Bollywood's finest innuendo moment. During a song in Khalnayak, she asks, 'What lies beneath my blouse?' She is, of course, referring to her heart. The lyrics sparked moral outrage and a campaign to get the song banned.
Also see her in: Dil To Pagal Hai.

Shahrukh Khan - Bollywood's Brad Pitt

Smouldering Shahrukh was the first star to net over £500,000 for a single film. He has starred in almost all of Bollywood's foreign hits, including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. His move into production started shakily last year with Asoka, a historical epic that divided the critics.
Little-known fact: Khan wants to be the first Indian James Bond.

Amitabh Bachchan - Bollywood's Cary Grant

No living Hollywood star can compare to Bachchan's status. Now 59, he has starred in over 100 films and also presents India's Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Voted Actor of the Millennium in a 1999 BBC poll, he beat Sir Laurence Olivier and Robert De Niro.
Look out for: Bachchan's star role in Kutumb, Bollywood's forthcoming take on The Godfather.

Kajol - Bollywood's Cameron Diaz

Cute girl-next-door Kajol is hot property after giving a career-best performance in last year's smash Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. She recently picked up the best actress award at Bollywood's version of the Oscars.
Also see her in: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - the first Bollywood film to do good business outside India.

Aishwarya Rai - Bollywood's Julia Roberts

'Ash' used her status as the most beautiul woman on the planet (she was 1994's Miss World) to launch a glittering Bollywood career. At the last count, she was Bollywood's highest-paid actress, commanding about £180,000 per film.
See her in: 1999 smash Taal (Rhythm) with Anil Kapoor.

Aamir Khan - Bollywood's Tom Cruise

Thanks to his boyish good looks, Aamir has enjoyed ten years at the top. Now, like Shahrukh, he's under threat from a new generation of pin-ups. Unlike Shahrukh, his production debut was a success - Lagaan is up for an Oscar.
See him in: Rangeela.