Bollywood legends who captured hearts but never won a National Award

The recent announcement of the 7st National Film Awards on August 1 has brought to mind several legendary Bollywood actors who, despite delivering consistently incredible performances throughout their careers, never received a National Film Award. Even without this prestigious recognition, the work of these stars continues to resonate deeply with millions. Their unforgettable performances, distinctive styles, and profound impact on Indian cinema ensure their legacy lives on in the hearts of fans. Let's revisit some of these iconic figures.

Rajesh Khanna who is known as India’s first superstar, Rajesh Khanna gave us classics like ‘Anand’, ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’, and ‘Kora Kagaz’. He had a huge fan following and delivered many hit films, but surprisingly, he was never given a National Award. Many people still find this hard to believe.

Sunil Dutt who is famous for serious and emotional roles, Sunil Dutt acted in unforgettable movies like ‘Mother India’, ‘Milan’, and ‘Mujhe Jeene Do’. He was deeply respected in the film industry, yet he too never received a National Award during his life.

Dilip Kumar is called the ‘Tragedy King’ of Bollywood, Dilip Kumar gave us brilliant performances in films like ‘Mughal-E-Azam’, ‘Ganga Jamuna’, and ‘Naya Daur’. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 98. Even though he never won a National Award, his impact on Indian cinema is beyond words.

Dharmendra who is one of the most popular actors of his time, Dharmendra was loved for his charm and action-packed roles and films like ‘Sholay’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, and ‘Satyakam’ made him a favourite among fans and yet he never got a National Award.

Dev Anand was a trendsetter and heartthrob of his time and with films like ‘Guide’, ‘Jewel Thief’, and ‘Hum Dono’, he became one of the most respected actors in Bollywood. Despite his contribution to cinema, he too never received this prestigious award.