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November, the eleventh month of the year, saw a number of distinguished celebrities taking birth. The month is also noted for occasional Diwalis, the Guru Nanak Jayanti and Chhath Puja.
Here we list the most accomplished and famous names from cinema that were born in this special month.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (November 1)
By now, it is almost a tradition that Indian beauty queens from the ramp go into movies as the next step, and by a steep coincidence, four women from that area have been born this month. Aishwarya Rai first made her debut in the Tamil film, Iruvar, in 1997 and Aur Pyar Ho Gaya in Hindi later the same year. Miss World 1994 first attracted attention with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal in 1999, followed by many more films. At one time, she was seen as a contender for the Numero Uno position among heroines. She later became the Bachchan bahu and has recently done the Ponniyin Selvan franchise with Mani Ratnam, her Iruvarfilmmaker with whom she also did Guru and Raavan.
Padmini Kolhapure (November 1)
From child-singer (in Yaadon Ki Baraat, in which her vocals went on Aamir Khan as a child actor!), to child artiste (notably in Satyam Shivam Sundaramand Insaf Ka Tarazu) to lead artiste (Prem Rog and many more) and finally adult singer and film producer, Padmini Kolhapure Sharma has come a long way. Intense performances were her forte as a leading lady (Woh 7 Din, Pyar Jhukta Nahin, Souten) and she was taken most seriously as an actor from her generation to reckon by filmmakers ranging from Raj Kapoor to Saawan Kumar.
Shah Rukh Khan (November 2)
The King Khan is God for NRIs tuned in to Hindi cinema as well as for foreigners who admire Hindi cinema. Probably no one has made such a spectacular comeback (Pathaan, Jawan) in 2023 after an abysmally low phase. His kids are also into cinema now, with Aryan making a mark as a director. Shah Rukh himself attributes his lasting power to various aspects other than his talent, but the man is still steadily improving with each film. He is also the owner of Red Chillies VFX and his production company, Red Chillies Entertainment.
Anu Malik (November 2)
He started out composing a single Asha Bhosle-rendered song in Hunterwali 77 (1978, which had music by his father, Sardar Malik) and made his independent debut with Poonam in 1981. He made his first mark with Ek Jaan Hain Hum and Sohni Mahiwal in the early 1980s but his real successful phase began in 1993 with Sir, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Ayee and Baazigar. From there, though not considered ‘saleable’ today, he is still in top form, in shows and now in a new Mahesh Bhatt movie. His highs include Border, Ishq Vishk and Main Hoon Na, certifying him as the most versatile composer after the legends.
Tabu (November 4)
She began with a cameo as a kid in Bazaar (1982) and signed Prem as a heroine after playing an adolescent who was in love in (and opposite him!) Dev Anand’s Hum Naujawan. Slowly but steadily, she cultivated her image as a powerhouse performer despite the fact that her first releases as a heroine were different from Prem—Pehla Pehla Pyar and Vijaypath. A multiple award winner who has acted also in foreign and regional cinema and even television, she has proved her range with films as diverse as Maachis, Chandni Bar, Cheeni Kum, De De Pyaar De, the Drishyam franchise and Andhadhun.
Boney Kapoor (November 11)
He has stayed the course for four decades, with the single portfolio—of a film producer. Despite having many downs, he has also produced classics like Mr. India, No Entry, Wanted and Mili apart from regional movies. Boney, whose second wife was Sridevi, also turned actor with AK Vs. AK and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar and is father to actors Arjun, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor.
Juhi Chawla (November 13)
Another ramp talent (she was Miss India 1984), Juhi Chawla started out with the dud, Sultanat, and made a mark with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. She has also been a producer and has flirted with the web, but is noted for her roles in films like Bol Radha Bol, Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke, Aaina and others.
Zeenat Aman (November 19)
Now 75, the lady who permanently changed the image of the Hindi film heroine also came from the ramp. Zeenat first received recognition after winning the Femina Miss India and the Miss Asia Pacific International pageants and became a cult superstar with an array of hits from Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Yaadon Ki Baraatand Roti Kapada Aur Makaan to Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Don, Qurbani, Insaf Ka Tarazu and more. Even today, her name is taken in awe as the forerunner and trendsetter of the ‘today’ heroine, and she trends on Instagram as well.
Sushmita Sen (November 19)
Miss Universe in the same year (1994) as Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen made her debut in 1996 with Dastak. An actress who was truly spontaneous from her very first film, Dastak, Sushmita led life on her terms, doing films like Biwi No. 1, Main Hoon Na and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya and even wowed audiences with her high-intensity web series franchise, Aarya.
Rajkumar Hirani (November 20)
This director and writer holds a unique record: his first five films were all super-hits: Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, PK and Sanju. The first and third became cult cinema in how a different subject could be made not just mass-friendly but unique and enriching. He did go off-tangent in his last film, Dunkee, but we guess the law of averages had to catch up!
Kartik Aaryan (November 22)
The age of the superstar is largely over, with Ranbir Kapoor, who made his debuts in 2007, being the last. But among the latter actors to stand out, Kartik Aaryan is in the forefront, having proved that he can play both the goofy guy (the Pyaar Ka Punch-Nama franchise) and the intense champ (Chandu Champion) and most roles in-between (Freddy, Bhool Bhulaiyya franchise).
Salim Khan (November 24)
A legend and a titan in his field, Salim Khan came here to be an actor, but achieved stardom as a writer—the story-screenplay part of the top writer duo, Salim-Javed of the 1970s and 1980s. And Hindi cinema got its first writers to provide a bound script and also get top billing after the composer and just before the producer and director in the credits. Zanjeer, Deewaar, Sholay, Don and Shakti were their crème-de-la-crème. What’s more, Salim Khan’s son, Salman Khan, remains a superstar now for over 25 years! And Salim-saab touched 90 this year.
