If you didn’t know, movies in Bollywood are graded A, B, C, and so on depending on various factors like budget, scope, content, and various other factors. B-grade movies are released to less number of theatres compared to A-grade movies.
People usually make movies keeping in mind the grade they intend for, but it so happens that at times certain unmet criteria like poor content or absence of artistic value can cause the fall of A-grade movies into the B category, and in rare cases, C or below.
Actors ideally work their way up from the low ranks but in some cases, actors that may have debuted or had a career in A grade movies can fall into the lower categories due to the inability to establish themselves there.
Let’s have a look at some of the famous Bollywood actresses who took part in a B grade film:
1. Preeti Jhangiani:
Despite receiving great appreciation for her debut role in Mohabbatein, a Yash Raj Film super-hit, Preeti Jhangiani could not get work in other big Bollywood projects, which led to her working in B grade films like ” Haseena- Smart, Sexy, Dangerous”.
2. Katrina Kaif:
Now, one of the highest-paid actresses in India and a recipient of several awards, Katrina Kaif made her debut in Bollywood when Indian film-maker Kaizad Gustad cast her in the B grade film Boom, which turned out a commercial and critical failure.
3. Isha Koppikar:
Isha Koppikar has had several roles in Bollywood projects like Rahul, Fiza, and many other Bollywood films, but she has worked in a lot of B grade movies such as Haseena- Smart, Sexy, Dangerous, and Girlfriend.
4. Payal Rohatgi:
Actress Payal Rohatgi who was a contestant in the reality show BigBoss has worked in many B grade films like Tauba Tauba and Laila. According to sources on the internet, she failed to create an impact in grade A movies.
5. Mamta Kulkarni:
Before quitting the industry after her allowance in the 2002 movie Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum, Mamta Kulkarni worked in several B grade films like Devin Temple Khajuraho and many more.
6. Manisha Koirala
After her commercially successful Bollywood film Saudagar, Manisha Koirala worked in many B grade films like Choti Si Love Story. Due to her box office failures, she was labelled “a jinx” by producers.
7. Archana Puran Singh:
Archana Singh is now a famous television personality. However, Archana took part in many B grade films like Raat Ke Gunaah during the 90s, at the start of her career.
8. Nagma
Despite her success for her debut film Baghi: A rebel for love aside Salman Khan, which was the 7th highest-grossing film in Hindi cinema in 1990, and her many other successful Bollywood ventures, Nagma shifted her focus to doing several B grade films in several languages simply because she wanted to travel and experience different cultures and learn new languages.
9. Neha Dhupia:
Neha Dhupia has acted in several B Grade films like Sheesha. Despite her title as former Miss India at the time, Neha was not successful in landing big Bollywood projects.
10. Meghana Naidu:
Meghana Naidu became a grand success and gained a lot of recognition for her feature in UMI10’s music video “Kaliyon Ka Chaman”, directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, which she says happened by accident.
The recognition, however, was not enough to land her big Bollywood deals. Hence, she went to do work in many B grade films, making her debut with the Bollywood B grade film Hawas.
