Beena Banerjee

Beena Banerjee, born way back in ‘43 in Kolkata, has been around long enough to become a bit of a staple in Indian cinema. She’s got this knack for morphing into whatever the role needs—strict mom, loving auntie, the neighbor who always knows everyone’s business—you name it, she’s probably done it. If you’ve watched any Bollywood movies from the late 80s up till now, chances are you’ve spotted her at least once, maybe twice, sometimes in the same film if you weren’t paying close attention. Her filmography is honestly wild. She was in “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,” which basically redefined romance for a whole generation. People still hum those songs at weddings, by the way. Then there’s “Koi... Mil Gaya”—yep, the one with Hrithik Roshan and the adorable alien, Jadoo. She didn’t play an alien, in case you’re wondering, but her presence in these films is one of those things that just makes the story feel real, like you’re peeking into someone’s actual family drama instead of watching actors on a set. And she’s still popping up in recent stuff like “Radhe Shyam.” Decades in the game and she’s not slowing down. Honestly, there’s something comforting about seeing her on screen, like your favorite comfort food but in movie form. She’s proof you don’t need to be the lead to totally own the scene. Beena’s career? Classic Bollywood, through and through.