For decades, mainstream Bollywood has typically reinforced a narrow definition of beauty, with fair skin set as the absolute paradigm for beauty. However, over time, that has begun to shift. A new breed of actress is emerging. All of them are confident, proud, and dusky. They are actively challenging what conventional beauty looks like. The new actress identity revels in the authenticity of dusky skin, claiming the space of being dusky as beautiful and showing the millions of individuals who identify with them that true beauty exists in confidence, talent, and an ability to embrace your individuality. Dusky skin has an abundance of warmth and depth, and to me is one aspect of India’s diverse beauty, in its purest form. These actresses are not merely comfortable in their skin; they have embraced their skin colour, an act that has inspired thousands more to do the same. These actresses have utilized their shining skin colour, magnetic on-screen presence, and strong fit for character, and have claimed their stage in the industry. More than just icons of style, these women are role models. They’ve smashed stereotypes, challenged colorism head on, and have started meaningful conversations around self-love and representation. Whether they are proving to be fierce leads, glamorous stars or deep characters, these talented actresses have shown versatility as stars as well as that they are fan favorites and critics' darlings. From the sensual grace of Bipasha Basu, the earthy grace of Chitrangda Singh, and the lively spirit of Radhika Apte, these dusky divas showcase an authenticity, power, and elegance on screen. Our list honors, not just beauty in a physical form, but strength, resilience, and the multi-dimensionality changing the face of Bollywood. Here is the list of our top 10 dusky beauties of Bollywood, women who have proven that beauty does not only exist in fairness (but in confidence, character, and charisma).
10. Chitrangda Singh:
Chitrangda Singh accepts her dusky skin tone with pride, going against social beauty standards and demanding more representation in the media industry. She also likes to dress in what she calls "old" style, favoring simplicity and minimalism while trying to channel the sophistication of people like Princess Diana and Jackie Kennedy. She finds value in elegance and wants her individuality to shine through fashion. When she did her collection with brands like trueBrowns, she worked with them to incorporate Indian aesthetics, as well as a focus on comfort with fabrics that are breathable and clothes that will appeal to the modern Indian woman. Her personal style philosophy is grounded in sincerity, simplicity and embracing natural beauty.
9. Sushmita Sen:
Sushmita Sen, with her lustrous dusky skin (remember, dusky is beautiful!), invokes class and confidence, and her style is aspirational because it strikes the right mix of classic, chic and modern style. From a huge black ruffled saree to a fitted blazer and wide-legged trousers, she oozes grace and comportment. Sushmita often favors a monochrome wardrobe (black famously), that accentuates her tall stature, and follows an easy approach to dressing, which puts comfort and authenticity at the forefront, never putting loud dressing or styling first, and favouring soft degrees of drama. Minimal makeup, accessories or nothing further accentuates her beauty and allows it to shine through. Sushmita, is beautifully wrapped, in as little or as much clothing (as from Manipuri dress traditional garments to contemporary clothing etc), in as little or as much clothing, but she is as always, the same strong and confident woman inside and outside, a true fashion icon.
8. Esha Gupta:
Esha Gupta always owns her rich dusky skin and doesn't subscribe to the industry standard of colorism that promotes lighter skin. Esha is unapologetic for opposing the skin lightening trend in Bollywood, which Esha suggests, has many levels of beauty besides just color. Her outfit choices show a license to be not only vulnerable but stylish and comfortable without being apologetic. Esha's fashion diversity balances the traditional style, as well as, contemporary fashion readily with a pastel ombre saree and structured jacket to a loud black and gold peplum sharara. Gupta typically dresses in earth tones to accentuate the rich, warm undertones in her dusky skin with accents of jewels. The way Gupta's make-up is usually arranged to enhance her dusky complexion with bronzed tones and a nude lip color suggests that she has a real commitment to authenticity and style. It is this commitment to authenticity and style that permitted Esha to win 'Most Stylish Glamorous Diva' at the 2023 Lokmat Stylish Awards.
7. Deepika Padukone:
Deepika Padukone, who has dusky skin color, defines an elegance that is eternal, adaptable, and oozes into all of her sartorial choices. As a person who exists between a modernism and tradition, when she feels the mood to live in monochromatic pieces that reveal her no fuss beauty or chooses a transformative elaborate sari from Yasasachi fashion world knowing she has crossed over like she did at the Met Gala, Deepika is always exploring a less is more graceful through herself. I believe her transformation through beauty morphs this slight nudge towards a minimalist presence using make-up which gently enhances her naturally delicate physiognomy, collaborating along with her stylist Shaleena Nathani. Sitting as a collaborative duo for a outfit when we were away but sprung forth a thought in both of them to style for a new perspective discovering themselves, while expressing a true meaning of themselves as a contemporary contributor to the global fashion marketplace.
6. Priyanka Chopra Jonas:
Priyanka Chopra, with her gorgeous glowing, wheatish skin colour is a great example of what it takes to achieve global fashion icon status with her eclectic, and fearless style choices. The evolution of Chopra's style continues to show us how she effectively fuses Eastern tradition with Western fashion, through cocktails of bright colour, especially marigold yellow, peony pink, and royal emerald shades of bold colour, in a way that complements her skin tone. From starring in iconic golden swimsuit in Dostana to casting in royal red Sabyasachi lehenga, Chopra offers variety in her fashion choices, which reflect the breadth of style she personifies. Her collaborations with stylists and fashion designers continue to produce memorable and fashionable appearances, like last week's Bvlgari event in a vintage, Dior couture outfit where she took the title of ‘Best Dressed’ for the occasion. Priyanka Chopra’s makeup undoubtedly always features a smokey eye or thick eyeliner, and she often opts for a nude lip colour to accentuate her natural beauty. Overall Priyanka Chopras style evolution is emblematic of her fashion credibility and sees her genuinely come into her own with her global fashion icon status.
5. Kajol:
Kajol, with her beautiful dusky skin, has been leading the charge against archaic beauty expectations of Bollywood for years. In her early career, she was called "dark" and "fat." But, she did not fret over it, she was proud of her natural beauty. In an open interview, Kajol stated that she only began to get comfortable with the way she looked in her early 30s, and that self-acceptance was the answer. During her years of fame, Kajol's dressing style has changed from sarees and anarkalis, to more contemporary and fun fashion. She is now able to mix ethnic styles and modern outfits, and chooses colors and shapes that suit her skin tone.
4. Pooja Hegde:
Pooja Hegde, with her brown skin tone, has an effortless ability to mix traditional with modern attire. When it comes to her style, Pooja wears everything from fabulous ethnic wear to stylish western pieces. She does also have some variation when it comes to ethnic wear (think more when comparing heavy embroidered lehengas, tunics / anarkalis, sarees, etc) and western wear with sleek maxi/flowy dresses, and fits suits. I think the same can be said about her glam . In ethnic wear, she typically wears more vibrant hues, with heavily embellished attire or looks with modern twists like (think unique drapes or newer takes on blouses). When she dresses in western apparel, they are often either silk or some sort of leather, and show a level of sophistication and confidence. Pooja's makeup style can vary as well as she typically has a bold red pop of colour for lips, and a dark smokey eye if it is glam. Whereas at casual events we see a very minimalist-ma to no makeup look, with some blush and maybe some back lit gloss . Her hair has also included both relaxed and pretentious styles such as the messy bun from the 1990s ! I should also mention that she is recognized for her style, and deservedly so, like when she was honored with the 'Most Stylish Youth Icon (Female)' Award by the 2023 Lokmat Stylish Awards.
3. Radhika Apte:
Radhika Apte, whose warm dusky skin has drawn attention to the issues around authenticity in the industry while pushing back against our cultural expectations and constructions of beauty in the entertainment space, has also highlighted how Bollywood studios have a history of evolving down a path of colorism, publicly discussing instances where she missed out on roles due to the color of her skin. Her fashion aesthetic looks minimalist and functional. You can always find her in neutral colours (black, white, and gray). She loves clean silhouettes and structured fabric so that anything looks good on her petite frame. Whether it is a co-ord set in classic red, or a garment in a vintage floral, her style expresses a classic look and is completely grounded .
2. Bhumi Pednekar:
Bhumi Pednekar, with her inviting dusky complexion, has also reinvented herself as a fashionista, infamously feared for her adventurous/ audacious fashion choices. To her, fashion evolution is all about comfort, sustainability, and self-expression, which you may have picked up by now. She likes bold/ structured silhouettes, monochromatic looks, and statement accessories. She likes to support designers, like Rahul Mishra and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Most importantly, she wore a vintage lehenga from the 1980s (which she screen wore as a bride on the second episode of the terribly underrated The Royals) as a tribute to her sense of everlasting fashion. Other than her fashion identity and imagery, Bhumi emphasizes that 'makeup' is merely a tool for enhancing your natural beauty. Her 'makeup' tutorials generally promote using dewy skin with light eye makeup, and a bold lip while reinforcing her personal belief that '[makeup] is beauty that enhances your air of confidence as well as being your form of expression'.
1. Suhana Khan:
Suhana Khan, daughter of Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan, is known for her beautiful dusky skin and evolving style. Suhana has been vocal about colorism, expressing pride in her true natural skin tone and challenging the industry to embrace darker skin tones. She combines classic kismet with new interpretations. From a pastel lehenga with traditional gold handwork to an elegant black sequin gown that hugs her curves, Suhana effortlessly marries tradition and newer styles of silhouettes . Suhana opts for minimalist makeup with a dewy skin finish and subtle touches such as winged eyeliner and nude lips, calling her beauty philosophy.
