Bollywood Moda: The DNA power list: Top 50 influentials

Number 7: Aamir Khan, actor & filmmaker

Marketer No 1

The man used to be known as a great actor, but now Aamir Khan has successfully emerged as one of the best marketing strategists in the entertainment industry. His marketing strategies have been widely copied by other Bollywood filmmakers.

Once again, his production — Delhi Belly — has scored at the box office this year, thanks to a clever marketing strategy. The government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his contribution to the arts.

Number 9: Shah Rukh Khan, actor & producer

Super, super star

Khan's My Name is Khan is the highest grossing Indian film of all times in the overseas markets. His production house has churned out a number of other good films with many more in the offing.

He was also one of the main pullers of audience for the IPL, which is now a successful franchise in India. A household name, Khan had the entire country rooting for him when he refused to comply with the Shiv Sena's threats to stop screening his films if he didn't apologise for his statement in favour of Pakistani players.

In 2005, the government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Number 10: Salman Khan, actor & producer

Da Bang

Salman Khan is the only actor in Bollywood who has maintained his position over the last two decades.

The star has been able to maintain a steady market demand over this period and therein lies the power of his brand. Flops

and controversies notwithstanding, Khan has always emerged on top and delivered a hit when needed.

Today, he's known as the hero of the masses, the Rajinikanth of Bollywood. Ask any producer and he will tell you that Salman Khan will always ensure a good opening, be it at a multiplex in an

A-class city or a single-screen theatre in a remote town.

Number 11: Amitabh Bachchan, actor & producer

Pop on top

To be at the top for 40 years, you need to be made of different mettle. Amitabh Bachchan has seen himself become a legend over the years. Today, he still gives the younger generation of actors a run for their money.

When Bachchan decided to step into television, he created history: Kaun Banega Crorepati is, till date, the most successful reality show on Indian TV. Though all that success has taken its share of struggles, Bachchan has been able to tide over the challenges the way only he can.

Number 12: Lata Mangeshkar, singer

Queen of notes

She has lent her voice to over a thousand Bollywood movies and recorded songs in more than 36 regional and foreign languages. Lata Mangeshkar, who has won perhaps all the top awards available in India, including the Bharat Ratna, remains an active singer.

What she means to India is best evidenced by the fact that she has several awards instituted in her name. In 1984, the Madhya Pradesh government instituted a Lata Mangeshkar Award and in 1992, Maharashtra followed suit with a Lata Mangeshkar Award, too.

Number 13: Katrina Kaif, actress

SuperKat

The British beauty stormed the Bollywood scene in 2003, and has not looked back since. For someone who was raised in London and started her career as a model, Kaif has worked her way up to films.

Initially written off for her acting abilities, she stunned the industry with stellar performances in films like Race, New York, and Rajneeti, which catapulted her to the A-league in Bollywood. Counted among the top five Bollywood heroines today, Kaif has also been endorsing a number of products.

Number 20: Karan Johar,Filmmaker

Candid camera

Karan Johar started off in Bollywood as a nerdy side-kick in iconic film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. But today, he is one of the most successful filmmakers.

He is also a valued TV personality who can get anybody to come in on his talk show, no matter what camp they belong to, and get candid. Awards and honours have been par for the course for this gentleman.

Number 21: Ekta Kapoor, TV & film producer

A new script

Ekta Kapoor has always been referred to as the queen bee of the television industry. This year, she doesn't have anybody who can replace her in the industry.

Ekta has ventured into film production now and she is doing well in that sphere too. Her Ragini MMS got critical reviews like its predecessor Love, Sex Aur Dhoka.

Ekta has a slew of programmes lined up this year, which is sure to keep her in the top position in the television industry.

Number 27: Anurag Kashyap, Filmmaker

New Wave Cinema Man

Known for his out-of-the-box cinema, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's films can be best described as offbeat.

He believes in creating his own genre of cinema and not conforming to established rules of filmmaking. With path-breaking films including Black Friday, Dev D, Udaan, Shaitaan, and the controversial That Girl In Yellow Boots to his credit, Anurag is a pioneer of Indian new wave cinema.

As a story-writer, he had had hits like Satya and Kaun to his credit. He has also acted in several films including the recent I AM and Shagird.

Number 29: Kareena Kapoor, actor

Star, brand

Kareena Kapoor remains one of the most bankable stars in Bollywood. No major actor bats an eyelid before signing up opposite her. Kareena, with her acting prowess and glamour, has successfully reigned for almost five years now.

She is considered to be one of the hottest brand ambassadors because she has evolved as an actress.

Number 32: Hrithik Roshan, actor

Sheikh of shake

Hrithik Roshan remains one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars outside the Khans. He commands the highest price after the reigning trio and is one of the most sought-after celebrities when it comes to brand endorsements. Hrithik has a string of films lined up for release, including the sequel to his successful superhero film, Kkrish. Time and again, Hrithik has not only proved his versatility as an actor, but is also regarded as a great dancer.

Number 40: Ranbir Kapoor, actor

The good son

With a family legacy that boasts of people who have been in the industry for decades, Ranbir Kapoor had a lot to live up to when he took baby steps in Bollywood. His debut film Saawariya in 2008 tanked at the box-office, but his talent shone through. His brilliant portrayal of characters in Wake Up Sid, Rocket Singh and Rajneeti have clearly put him in the top bracket. With his good looks coupled with an interesting mix of films and endorsements in his kitty, Ranbir is here to stay.

Number 42: Naseeruddin Shah, film & theatre personality

The thespian

For many, Naseeruddin Shah's presence in a play or movie automatically grants the production a positive judgement; so strong is the association between Shah and quality work. While he is best known for his roles in movies such as Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, A Wednesday and Monsoon Wedding, it is theatre where Shah's legacy shines through. Shifting with ease between commercial cinema, arthouse movies and live theatre, Shah continues to produce plays of consistent quality. His most recent production was an Ismat Chugtai story

Number 43: Priyanka Chopra, actress

Dexterous & bewitching

She charmed the world when she was crowned Miss World in 2000, shortly after which she decided to enter Bollywood. Her breakthrough performance came in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion where she portrayed the role of a model whose career is on the downswing. She was appreciated for her performance and the film even got her a National award. Her recently released Saat Khoon Maaf , too, earned her rave reviews along with a couple of awards. She is amongst the top five actresses today and the one with the maximum films in her kitty.

Number 48: Aditya Chopra, filmmaker

Taciturn teller

Aditya Chopra has got immense acclaim despite directing just three films —Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Mohabbatein and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. He started his filmmaking career at 18 as an assistant director, working with his father, Yash Chopra on films like Chandni, Lamhe and Darr.

He is also the producer of a few blockbuster movies.

Known to give young and fresh talent a chance, the director has gone a long way in making romance a cult genre.

1. Anna Hazare, social activist

2. Sachin Tendulkar, cricketer

3. Duvvuri Subbarao, governor, RBI

4. Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank

5. Deepak Parekh, chairman, HDFC

6. Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata Sons

8. Mukesh Ambani, chairman & MD, Reliance Industries

14. Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman, Aditya Birla Group

15. Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman, M&M

16. K V Kamath, Chairman, Infosys