Hrithik Roshan

Few Bollywood stars have had as dramatic an introduction to fame as actor Hrithik Roshan. From the age of six until he was 35, Hrithik struggled with his stuttering but didn't let it interfere with his acting career. His showbiz father, Rakesh, had transitioned from acting to directing in 1987, and for years Hrithik apprenticed on his sets, doing a variety of menial tasks. When he was ready to make his first serious film, Rakesh directed his son in the smash 2000 romantic drama "Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai." Hrithik got to play not one but two dancing heartthrobs, and the film was the highest-grossing Indian movie of the year.

The young actor's sudden celebrity was marred later in the year, when his father was shot by hitmen believed to be working for notorious extortionist Ali Budesh, seeking retaliation for Rakesh's refusal to sell the criminal shares in "Kaho Naa"'s international sales. The year ended with false rumors that Hrithik had insulted the country and people of Nepal, leading to days of rioting by insulted Nepalese citizens in the capital of Katmandu. Hrithik was convinced that these actions were retaliation by Budesh and considered quitting acting altogether. Deciding to persevere, he has since consistently starred in some of the most successful Bollywood films of all time--such as "Dhoom 2," "Krrish," "Kites" and "Agneepath"-- and also frequently appears in his father's films.