Kajol Devgn defined the 90s with her powerful performances. She played a woman in love with a murderer in Baazigar (1993) and a woman who defied arranged marriage in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). The latter became one of the most successful Hindi films in history, cementing young Kajol as the “It” actress of the time.

Yet Kajol craved more. She avoided typecasting by playing a psychopathic killer in Gupt (1997) and a pair of twin sisters – one who dies, and one who seeks revenge – in Dushman (1998). Three other lucrative 1998 films propelled her to global stardom like no Indian actress had experienced before. She played a young, bubbly country girl moving to the big city in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, a ditsy fiancée in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha and, of course, the fun-loving tomboy in Karan Johar’s tour de force, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

Madhuri Dixit

Bollywood’s dancing queen, Madhuri Dixit Nene,  was lauded for her performance in Dil (1990) and continued to hone her skills in a range of roles, from a rebellious wife in Beta (1992), an undercover police officer in Khal Nayak (1993) and a vengeful wife in Anjaam (1994).

She shot to stardom after playing Nisha, opposite Salman Khan, in the family saga Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) followed by Ketki Singh, a woman who confronted patriarchal oppression, in Mrityudand (1997). But it was her portrayal as the whimsical dancer Pooja in Yash Chopra’s Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) that crowned her as India’s sweetheart and the top-paid heroine of the 90s.

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Juhi Chawla

Former beauty pageant queen Juhi Chawla carved an acting niche by balancing dramatic and comedic roles. She delivered two polarising performances in 1993, playing a runaway business scion opposite Aamir Khan in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and a woman with a notorious stalker opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Darr. She broke into mainstream movies after three of her 1997 films became box office hits: Yes Boss, Deewana Mastana and Ishq. Known for her impeccable comic timing, the Punjab-born actress stood apart as not just another pretty face, but also as the 90s queen of comedy.

Raveena Tandon

While there was plenty of gossip surrounding her relationship with co-star Akshay Kumar and her cold war with Karisma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon was also undeniably a face of the 90s. With her lush wavy hair and strong on-screen persona, Tandon started out in Patthar Ke Phool (1991) and claimed success after Mohra (1994) opposite Kumar. But she arguably left her mark most in slapstick comedies, namely Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Dulhe Raja (1998) and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998).

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Karisma Kapoor

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