7 Bollywood Celebrity Transformations: Then and Now in 2026

Seven Bollywood stars show how much a film career can change: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone, Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Each began as a newcomer in the 1980s, 1990s or 2000s and has moved into new kinds of roles, markets or work by 2026.

This is not a look at weight loss or appearance. It tracks how each star’s work and public role have shifted, from debut to the projects they are known for as of October 2026.

1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: from Miss World to global face of Indian cinema

Then: Aishwarya Rai won Miss World in 1994. Her first film was Mani Ratnam’s Tamil drama Iruvar (1997), and her first Hindi film was Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya the same year. She won Filmfare Best Actress awards for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002).

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Now: In 2003 she became the first Indian actress to serve on the Cannes jury, and she received the Padma Shri in 2009. Her most recent film release was Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023), in which she played Nandini. She continues to appear at major international events.

2. Shah Rukh Khan: from TV newcomer to National Award winner

Then: Shah Rukh Khan started on television with Fauji (1989). His film debut came with Deewana (1992), which won him the Filmfare Best Male Debut award. He played villains in Baazigar and Darr in 1993 before Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) made him a romantic hero.

Now: After a break, he returned in 2023 with Pathaan and Jawan, each of which grossed over Rs 1,000 crore worldwide, followed by Dunki. He won his first National Film Award for Best Actor for Jawan at the 71st National Film Awards. His next film, King, directed by Siddharth Anand and co-starring his daughter Suhana Khan, is scheduled for 24 December 2026.

3. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: from Miss World to Hollywood lead

Then: Priyanka Chopra won Miss World in 2000. She made her Tamil debut in Thamizhan (2002) and her Hindi debut in The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003), and built a long Bollywood career after that.

Now: She became the first South Asian to headline an American network drama with Quantico (2015 to 2018). She stars in Prime Video’s Citadel, appeared in Heads of State (2025) and leads the pirate drama The Bluff, released on Prime Video in February 2026. She returns to Indian cinema in S. S. Rajamouli’s Varanasi with Mahesh Babu, targeted for 2027.

4. Salman Khan: from romantic hero to action star

Then: Salman Khan debuted in a supporting role in Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988). His breakthrough came with Sooraj Barjatya’s Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), which won him the Filmfare Best Male Debut award and made him a romantic lead.

Now: Dabangg (2010), where he played the cop Chulbul Pandey, shifted his image to action and comedy. He has hosted Bigg Boss since season 4 in 2010. Tiger 3 (2023) was a hit, while Sikandar (2025) received poor reviews. He is next set to play Colonel B. Santosh Babu in Apoorva Lakhia’s film on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which was announced as Battle of Galwan. Its original April 2026 date was pushed back, according to reports.

5. Deepika Padukone: from debutante to producer and advocate

Then: Deepika Padukone made her film debut in the Kannada film Aishwarya (2006) and her Hindi debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om (2007), winning the Filmfare Best Female Debut award.

Now: In 2015 she founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation to raise awareness of mental health in India. She married Ranveer Singh in 2018, and their daughter Dua was born in September 2024. Her 2024 films included Fighter, Kalki 2898 AD and Singham Again. She is part of the cast of King and has an announced film with Allu Arjun.

6. Aamir Khan: from chocolate-boy hero to producer and director

Then: Aamir Khan appeared as a child in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). His adult career took off with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), which won him the Filmfare Best Male Debut award.

Now: He produced Lagaan (2001), which was nominated for an Oscar, and directed Taare Zameen Par (2007). After 3 Idiots, PK and Dangal, Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) failed at the box office. He returned with Sitaare Zameen Par (June 2025), which earned about Rs 266 crore worldwide and skipped a usual OTT deal for a Rs 100 pay-per-view release on YouTube from 1 August 2025.

7. Kareena Kapoor Khan: from star kid to producer and UNICEF ambassador

Then: Kareena Kapoor debuted in Refugee (2000) opposite Abhishek Bachchan. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) made her a star, and Chameli (2004) and Omkara (2006) showed her range. She won Filmfare Best Actress for Jab We Met (2007).

Now: She married Saif Ali Khan in 2012. Recent work includes the Netflix thriller Jaane Jaan (2023), the hit comedy Crew (2024) and The Buckingham Murders (2024), her first film as a producer. She was named a national UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for India in May 2024, and Meghna Gulzar’s thriller Daayra, with Prithviraj Sukumaran, is among her upcoming films.

Then and now at a glance

Star	Hindi film debut	Turning point	Latest or next (2026)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan	Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)	Devdas (2002)	Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023)
Shah Rukh Khan	Deewana (1992)	DDLJ (1995)	King (Dec 2026)
Priyanka Chopra Jonas	The Hero (2003)	Quantico (2015)	The Bluff (2026), Varanasi (2027)
Salman Khan	Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988)	Dabangg (2010)	Galwan war film
Deepika Padukone	Om Shanti Om (2007)	Piku (2015)	King (Dec 2026)
Aamir Khan	Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)	Lagaan (2001)	Sitaare Zameen Par (2025)
Kareena Kapoor Khan	Refugee (2000)	Jab We Met (2007)	Daayra

What these careers have in common

Each of these actors changed course at least once. Some moved abroad, some moved behind the camera, and some reinvented their screen image after a run of similar roles. Several have also used their public profile for causes, from mental health to children’s rights.

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Frequently asked questions

Sources: King (2026 film) on Wikipedia, The Hollywood Reporter India on The Bluff, Sitaare Zameen Par on Wikipedia.