After Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna, Fans Want These 90s Actors To Get Their Long-Due Second Innings

Bollywood has entered an interesting phase where time, experience and strong writing are finally working in favour of actors who were once overlooked. The recent resurgence of Akshaye Khanna and Bobby Deol — both widely praised for their nuanced performances in the second phase of their careers — has sparked a larger conversation among audiences: which other talented actors from the 1990s deserve a similar revival?

Social media discussions and cinephile forums suggest there is no shortage of names. Here are five actors and actresses from the 90s whom audiences believe were ahead of their time and deserve long-overdue recognition today.

1. Urmila Matondkar
Often remembered only for her glamour, Urmila Matondkar was one of the most fearless performers of the 90s. From Rangeela and Satya to Who and भूतshe consistently pushed boundaries and delivered layered performances. Many viewers feel she would thrive today in strong, author-backed roles on OTT platforms.

2. Rahul Bose
A critically acclaimed actor who straddled parallel cinema and mainstream films, Rahul Bose was never a box-office crowd-puller but always a performer’s performer. Films like Mr and Mrs Iyer, English, August and Chameli showcased his range. Audiences believe the current content-driven ecosystem would suit his understated style perfectly.

3. Karisma Kapoor
While Karisma Kapoor enjoyed commercial success, many feel her acting abilities were not fully acknowledged at the time. Performances in Dil To Mad Hai, Zubeida and Fiza hinted at a depth that went beyond typical 90s heroines. Her recent work has reminded viewers of her emotional intelligence and screen presence.

4. Arshad Warsi
Before becoming a household name much later, Arshad Warsi spent years being underutilised despite his impeccable comic timing and dramatic potential. His early performances in the 90s showed promise that took decades to be fully recognised. Fans now hope to see him headline more complex roles.

5. Sonali Bendre
Sonali Bendre was often cast in conventional parts despite having a natural, restrained acting style. Films like Sarfaroshrevealed her ability to hold her own in serious narratives. Audiences today believe she would be well-suited to mature, character-driven roles that are now finally being written for women.

The List Goes On…

These are actors many viewers genuinely want to see in meaty second-innings roles, especially in today’s OTT-driven space:

Actors

• Chandrachur Singh – After a memorable debut in Matcheshe showed quiet intensity and emotional depth but was never fully utilised by mainstream cinema.

• Enter Men – Though respected today, many believe he deserved leading-man recognition much earlier in his career.

• Sanjay Suri – A thoughtful actor from the late 90s who excelled in films like Jhankaar Beats and My Brother… Nikhil.

• Manisha Koirala – Critically acclaimed yet under-celebrated in her time; her performances in Bombay, Khāmoshiand From the heart remain benchmarks.

• Tabu – While she is now rightly celebrated, many feel mainstream cinema recognised her brilliance far later than it should have.

• Divya Dutta – Often in supporting roles, she consistently delivered memorable performances that stayed with audiences.

• Raveena Tandon – Commercially successful, yet her acting range in films like Daman and Shool was recognised too late.

The renewed appreciation for Akshaye Khanna and Bobby Deol has proved that talent does not expire — it simply waits for the right moment. As Bollywood shifts toward stronger writing and character-led storytelling, audiences are hopeful that more gifted actors from the 90s will finally receive the credit, opportunities and respect they deserved all along