Bollywood is an industry where big stars and star kids almost always play lead roles that are supposed to have all of the audience’s focus. They’re almost always positive characters, because of which the Indian terms for lead actors are “hero” and “heroine”. But far more talented than any of these stars are the brilliant character actors who are always relegated to supporting roles. They rarely appear on the films’ posters or participate in the promotion process. All their names are squashed into one frame in the title credits, so we generally don’t even know who they are despite having seen them in many films. Even so, some of them always leave a mark. Here are 15 such actors and their memorable roles.

1. Gajraj Rao

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He’s been in many acclaimed films like Bandit Queen and Black Friday, but he’s most remembered for his role in Badhaai Ho. He’s set to appear in Made in China and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan in the coming months.

2. Sulbha Arya

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Who doesn’t remember Kantaben from Kal Ho Naa Ho? But did you know that Arya appeared on Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, India’s first sitcom?

3. Raghubir Yadav

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Yadav has been in two of the three Indian films that have made it to the final five in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars: Salaam Bombay and Lagaan. But contemporary audiences will remember him best as Natha’s elder brother Budhia in Peepli Live.

4. Sheeba Chaddha

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She’s appeared most recently on Gully Boy and Badhaai Ho, but who can forget her as Nain Tara in Dum Laga ke Haisha?

5. Yashpal Sharma

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Sharma has appeared in Gangaajal and Ab Tak Chhappan, but he’s well-remembered for playing Lakha in Lagaan. Despite mostly playing serious roles, he also played the role of Pankaj Udaas in Singh is Kinng.

6. Tanya Abrol

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Possibly the funniest and most memorable character from Chak de India was that of Balbir Kaur, the hot-headed Punjabi girl who loved to fight with autowallahs over fares and didn’t like to say sorry.

7. Deepak Dobriyal

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One of the finest actors in Hindi cinema, Dobriyal makes virtually each character he plays memorable, but nothing can compare to Pappi in the Tanu Weds Manu series!

8. Delnaaz Irani

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You may not remember her name, but you would definitely remember Sweetu and her love for Frankie Ram Dayal in Kal Ho Naa Ho.

9. Manu Rishi

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Is there anything funnier than a Punjabi Delhi boy being nick-named “Bangali” well into adulthood? Well, that’s who Rishi played in Oye Lucky Lucky Oye as the funny sidekick to Abhay Deol’s titular character.

10. Chitrashi Rawat

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Close behind Balbir Kaur in Chak de India was Komal Chautala, the Haryanvi rebel who wanted to score more goals than anyone in the world cup and did not like “mems” from big cities.

11. Pawan Malhotra

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Even though Pawan Malhotra has played many roles over the years, Geet’s chacha ji from Jab We Met is one we’ll never forget.

12. Suhasini Mulay

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Mulay has won a National Award for Hu Tu Tu, but she’s best remembered from the year 2001 when she played Bhuvan’s mother Yashodabai in Lagaan and Sid’s mother in Dil Chahta Hai.

13. Vijay Raaz

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Raaz is one of the finest actors around and has appeared in many films like Gully Boy and Delhi Belly, but one just can’t forget his hilarious character in Dhamaal. Dev Kumar Malik was the slowest and most annoying flight control officer in the world.

14. Vrajesh Hirjee

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Few actors have better comic timing than Hirjee. He’s appeared in the Golmaal films, but it’s impossible to forget him as Vicky in Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein.

15. Shilpa Shukla

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Also from the class of Chak de India, Shilpa Shukla truly came into her own in the Indie film B.A Pass, for which she earned a Critics’ Choice Filmfare Award.

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