India is a beautiful country with a rich culture and a deep wealth of history. With such a terrific cultural background, there are bound to be many famous Indian celebrities that emerge from this country. There will naturally be more than a few of those people who have received worldwide acclaim, but there are also the lesser known individuals who also deserve their fair share of attention.
These six influential and famous Indians have made great achievements in their lifetimes:
1. Aamir Khan
Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan, otherwise known as Aamir Khan is one of the most famous Indians alive. Whether it be acting, directing, film making, hosting, or even writing, Khan tends to shine in what he does.
Naturally, he could absolutely stop there and call it a day, but that the actor continues to move forward as an activist for a number of causes. This famous Indian celebrity has been known to do work in the areas of humanitarianism, social causes, and even in the political world. All in all, Aamir Khan is a busy man, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
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2. Priyanka Chopra
Known internationally for American thriller series Quantico as well as recent comedies Baywatch and Isn’t It Romantic, the famous Indian actress has come a very long way since her Bollywood debut in The Hero: Love Story of a Spy in 2003. However, acting isn’t the only tool in her arsenal of talent, as she is also a singer, producer, and was even the winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant.
In her career, this famous Indian celebrity has received numerous awards for her efforts in film, including the prestigious honour from the Government of India known as the Padma Shri.
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3. MS Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, or MS Dhoni, is a prolific cricket captain that has received many impressive awards over the course of his career. These awards include the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the Padma Shri, and even the Padma Bhusan.
In the years he has spent as captain, this famous Indian personality has earned the name of “Captain Cool,” due to his ability to stay calm during sticky situations when performing in cricket matches. With this ability, he has managed to earn and maintain numerous captaincy records like the most back-to-back wins by an Indian captain in ODIs, as well as the most wins by an Indian captain in Tests.
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4. Murkesh Dhirubhai Ambani
Being the largest shareholder of the most valuable company in India is no small feat. As is being the richest Indian, and the 13th richest person in the world as of March 2019. However, Ambani isn’t exactly content with stopping there, as he has a vision for the future.
This famous Indian has helped make Reliance Industries Limited one of the busiest deal makers in India, and plans to keep the family business growing for years to come. He plans to do this by exploring ways to monetize its assets through stake sales, infrastructure investment trusts, or possibly selling the assets and businesses it controls. It may sound risky, but it would be wise to watch Ambani to see just how these plans turn out.
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5. Shashi Tharoor
An Indian politician, writer, and former international diplomat, Tharoor is a man who knows his way around the world, and has become incredibly influential because of that. Currently serving as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, he also manages to be an acclaimed writer on the side.
So far, Tharoor has authored 18 bestselling works, both in the areas of fiction and non-fiction since 1981. These books are typically centered on India’s history, culture, and society. They provide a great look into the finer aspects of Indian culture that the world rarely gets to see, and is a great starting point for anyone curious about India and its people.
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6. Mahatma Ghandi
What else can truly said about the man known as Ghandi? After all of the years following his death in 1948, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, or Mahatma Ghandi is still a well-known activist who has teachings that are still studied and discussed to this day. He remains one of the most famous Indians in history, and even has a national museum in India that attracts many tourists each year.
Leader of the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule, Ghandi was a major supporter of nonviolent civil disobedience. His example led to inspiration for civil rights movements across the world, which in turned changed the world and continues to do so today.
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