Top 50 Asian stars of 2024

A MARVELLOUS mix of talent ensured south Asians made a global impact in diverse fields over the past year.

Whether it was established names continuing to excel, rule-breakers daring to be different, or young talents offering something fresh, 2024 proved to be a multi-dimensional year packed with memorable moments. Many crossed new creative frontiers and shaped popular culture in unprecedented ways.

Collectively, they shone brightly and earned their place in Eastern Eye’s annual list of the top 50 Asian stars.

50. Nani: In 2024, the popular south Indian star won multiple awards for his role in the 2023 period action drama Dasara. He delivered another winning performance in this year’s vigilante action drama Saripodhaa Sanivaaram. He signed films like HIT: The Third Case and saw his 2023 blockbusters achieve huge viewership on streaming platforms.

49. Onjali Q Rauf: The talented children’s author added to her impressive body of work, which includes The Boy at the Back of the Class, with acclaimed 2024 books The Letter with the Golden Stamp and The Girl at the Front of the Class. Her best-selling works continued to educate and entertain young readers, building cultural bridges beautifully.

Onjali Q Rauf

48. Sajal Ali: The versatile actress enhanced her impressive career with the drama serial Zard Patton Ka Bunn. Awarded the prestigious Tamgha-eImtiaz (medal of excellence) by the Pakistani government, she remained a top choice for leading producers, including international collaborators.

Sajal Ali

47. Hrithik Roshan: While the high-flying drama Fighter didn’t break box-office records, it showcased Hrithik’s enduring stardom. He worked on the highly anticipated action sequel War 2 and set the stage for the next instalment of the Krrish superhero franchise, proving why he remains a sought-after Bollywood heartthrob.

Hrithik Roshan

46. Jasdeep Singh Degun: The young British maestro became a leading figure in classical Indian music through captivating live performances, unique collaborations, and prestigious awards. In 2024, he made history as the first sitar player and the first British Asian musician to win the Royal Philharmonic Society’s award for best instrumentalist.

Jasdeep Singh Degun

45. Vir Das: India’s most prominent English-language stand-up comedian continued his global conquest with sold-out shows, including a run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Balancing high-profile acting roles in films and web series, he also made history as the first Indian to host the International Emmy awards.

44. Viraj Ghelani: The dynamic content creator headlined Jhamkudi, Gujarati cinema’s biggest success in 2024. He also pioneered Gujarati-language stand-up comedy, earning a rapidly growing fanbase and carving new paths for greatness.

43. Sumbul Touqeer: The 21-year-old crown princess of Indian television has already played two title roles in hit drama serials. The most recent of these, Kavya – Ek Jazbaa, Ek Junoon, concluded this year, paving the way for more impressive opportunities. Sumbul has become a powerful role model for young people.

Sumbul Touqeer:

42. Nitanshi Goel: The youngest on this year’s list is the naturally gifted 17-year-old who went from winning performances on television to starring in Laapataa Ladies, India’s official Oscar entry. With a growing reputation and an expanding fanbase, this terrific teenage talent represents the future of Indian cinema and seems destined for inevitable greatness.

Nitanshi Goel

41. Atif Aslam: Pakistan’s biggest pop star continued to hold onto his crown with sold-out shows across the globe. While he was less prolific in releasing new songs, he showcased his versatility and remained one of the most streamed singers worldwide. Aslam continued to inspire countless artists following in his footsteps.

40. Jasleen Kaur: One of the art world’s bestkept secrets triumphed over tough competition to win the prestigious Turner Prize for 2024. As the youngest artist shortlisted this year, she was celebrated for her work that seamlessly intertwined the personal, political, and spiritual. The fearless 38-year-old British talent will now become a formidable force in the art world, inspiring a new generation.

39. Teja Sajja: The rising Telugu star delivered a star-making lead performance in Hanu-Man, Indian cinema’s biggest sleeper hit of 2024. This relatively low-budget superhero film exceeded expectations to achieve massive pan-Indian success. Now in high demand, Teja is set to headline the action-adventure Mirai and return for the much-anticipated sequel to Hanu-Man.

38. Himesh Patel: The top British talent had another outstanding year with a diverse slate of high-profile projects. He starred in the Hollywood crime comedy Greedy People and the British satirical series Franchise. Patel also featured in the science fiction thriller The Assessment, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Dhanush AFP via Getty Images

37. Hiba Bukhari: The Pakistani actress continued to uphold her high standards with dynamic performances in hit drama serials Radd and Jaan Nisaar. The latter achieved over two billion collective views on YouTube. Top actor Sheheryar Munawar aptly described her as the “rating queen,” acknowledging her remarkable ability to draw massive audiences.

36. Dhanush: The Tamil titan had a remarkable year, delivering an explosive performance in the period action-adventure Captain Miller and headlining the neo-noir action drama Raayan, which he also directed. His immense star power reaffirmed his status as a heavyweight in Indian cinema. Dhanush has already begun work on more exciting projects, including another directorial venture.

35. Kani Kusruti: The Indian actress had an exceptional year across multiple languages. Her films Girls Will Be Girls and the award-winning All We Imagine As Light made a significant impact on the international film festival circuit. Additionally, she starred in successful web series such as Killer Soup (Hindi), Poacher (Malayalam), Thalaimai Seyalagam (Tamil), and Nagendran’s Honeymoons (Malayalam).

Kani Kusruti

34. Triptii Dimri: An impactful supporting role in the 2023 blockbuster Animal catapulted Triptii Dimri into the spotlight, with producers vying to cast her in lead roles. Emerging as one of Bollywood’s hottest new leading ladies, she had three major releases this year, including the blockbuster hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and signed several high-profile projects, solidifying her place in the industry.

Triptii Dimri

33. Urooj Aftab: The Pakistani American singer continued to push creative boundaries, connecting with cross-cultural audiences of all ages. Impressively, she earned Grammy nominations for the fourth consecutive year, bringing her total to seven. Urooj delivered one of the year’s finest albums, Night Reign, performed internationally, and curated a major music festival.

32. Shah Rukh Khan: Although 2024 did not replicate the dream comeback of 2023 that re-established him as the highest-ranked south Asian star globally, Shah Rukh Khan’s immense power and influence remained unmatched. The Hindi cinema king received multiple awards, dominated global news headlines, and continued to have producers lining up to sign him. He was also declared the wealthiest Indian celebrity.

31. Hanumankind: The rising star of Indian hip hop continued to redefine the genre with hits like Big Dawgs, which amassed hundreds of millions of streams across various platforms. The 32-yearold, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat, im pressed with standout live performances, including sharing the stage with ASAP Rocky. Such is his growing influence that he is set to perform at the prestigious Coachella music festival in 2025.

Hanumankind

30. Alia Bhatt: The Bollywood queen headlined and produced the explosive thriller Jigra. The indemand star began work on the spy thriller Alpha and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-anticipated epic Love & War. Beyond the screen, she captivated social media, dazzled at the Met Gala, walked the runway for L’Oréal in Paris, secured major brand endorsements, and expanded her growing business empire.

29. Karan Aujla: The superstar singer continued his meteoric rise with sold-out arena shows and chart-topping single releases. Among his biggest hits was the Bollywood smash Tauba Tauba, which he wrote, composed, and sang. As part of a new generation of artists, Karan has been instrumental in redefining Punjabi music and bringing it to a wider, more diverse global audience.

28. Sivakarthikeyan: The beloved Tamil actor made a remarkable comeback with the blockbuster Amaran, the second highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024, earning critical acclaim for his award-worthy performance. He also starred in the unique science fiction film Ayalaan, which received praise and prompted the announcement of a sequel soon after its release. Beyond his cinematic achievements, Sivakarthikeyan used his platform to advocate for mental health awareness.

27. Gippy Grewal: The singer-turned-actor and visionary producer continued to dominate Punjabi cinema, delivering more hit films and elevating the industry to new heights. His game-changing approach has led to the creation of successful franchises, while he skilfully balanced his music career alongside cinematic ventures. This multitalented star has solidified his position as a global ambassador for Punjabi entertainment.

Gippy Grewa

26. Amitabh Bachchan: The 82-year-old legend had an eventful year packed with remarkable achievements. He delivered stellar performances in high-profile films like Kalki 2898 AD and Vettaiyan and continued to charm audiences as the host of the hit TV game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. As the oldest star on this year’s list, Bachchan also leveraged his unparalleled stardom to drive positive change.

25. Kartik Aaryan: The actor showcased his exceptional talent with a challenging lead role in Chandu Champion. His growing star power shone even brighter in the hit horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, where he held his own opposite seasoned stars Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan. The Bollywood outsider continued to carve out his own niche, proving his mettle in an industry often dominated by nepotism.

Kartik Aaryan

24. Shazad Latif: The British actor maintained his impressive momentum by portraying the iconic literary character Captain Nemo in the big-budget underwater adventure series Nautilus. His film Magpie, co-starring Daisy Ridley, received a positive response. Shazad also signed on for exciting new projects, including the nuclear bomb action series Atomic and a high-profile adaptation of Wuthering Heights, where he will star opposite Margot Robbie.

23. Fahad Mustafa: Having focused more on producing and acting in films, the Pakistani actor made a winning return to drama serials after nearly a decade with a perfect performance in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. The globally popular show reminded TV audiences that he is one of Pakistan’s best leading men. He balanced acting with work as a forward-thinking producer.

22. Sid Sriram: The American singer continued to make a remarkable impact on south Indian music with an outstanding body of work and sold-out arena shows worldwide, including a major concert in London. He broke new ground with a historic performance at Coachella and further strengthened cultural connections through his multi-layered solo material.

Sid Sriram

21. Zayn Malik: The British Asian singer made a triumphant return after a challenging period with the release of his fourth studio album, Room Under The Stairs. He also dropped new singles, performed his first-ever live solo show, and embarked on a debut tour. Zayn continued to dominate social media, make global headlines, and laid the foundation for an exciting new chapter in his dynamic career.

20. Avantika Vandanapu: The talented American teenager had another tremendous year in Hollywood with two major 2024 releases, Mean Girls and Tarot. Showcasing her versatility, she also starred in the Indian web series Big Girls Don’t Cry. With upcoming projects like the action thriller Ballerina Overdrive and ventures as a producer, this young sensation is poised to shine even brighter in 2025.

Avantika Vandanapu Getty Images

19. Romesh Ranganathan: The British Sri Lankan comedian was one of the most in-demand and hardest-working performers of the year. He balanced a sold-out live tour with major TV projects, including his hit shows Rob & Romesh Vs..., The Ranganation, The Weakest Link, and Avoidance. He also landed a major radio show, lent his voice to the Hollywood film Despicable Me 4, and toured globally.

18. Shreya Ghoshal: The undisputed queen of Indian music continued to reign over the hearts, minds, and playlists of fans worldwide. A strong role model for working mothers, she delivered sold-out arena shows across the globe. Widely regarded as the greatest Indian female singer of the modern era, she upheld her high standards and returned as a judge on Indian Idol.

17. Vijay Sethupathi: The versatile actor delivered a standout year, headlining the critically acclaimed Merry Christmas and following it up with the smash-hit drama Maharaja. Known for adding depth to blockbuster films, he continued to impress with his performances and signed on for several high-profile upcoming projects. He also returned to host season 8 of the hugely popular reality show Bigg Boss Tamil.

16. Rupali Ganguly: The reigning queen of Indian television continued to dominate ratings with her iconic title role in the smash-hit drama series Anupamaa, which surpassed 1,400 episodes. At 47, Ganguly further cemented her position as a fan favourite, earning additional awards for her stellar performance. She had millions of viewers tuning in every week across multiple platforms.

Rupali Ganguly

15. Rajkummar Rao: The acclaimed actor headlined the record-breaking film Stree 2, which is considered one of Hindi cinema’s biggest hits in terms of budget versus returns. Rajkummar also showcased his impressive versatility with performances in diverse projects such as Srikanth, Mr & Mrs Mahi, and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. His consistent excellence has made him one of the most sought-after actors among producers today.

14. Prabhas: The superstar achieved major box office success with the epic science fiction film Kalki 2898 AD. He began work on several highprofile projects, including a collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, further cementing his status as a pan-India icon. Prabhas continued to highlight the immense talent in south Indian cinema.

13. Ambika Mod: This year’s biggest breakout star, Ambika Mod, delivered a brilliant performance in the Netflix series One Day, earning critical acclaim and capturing global attention. Her portrayal of a complex, multi-layered character in the TV adaptation of the 2009 novel showcased her impressive versatility. The British actress was named on the Time100 Next list as a talent to watch and has the Disney Plus series Playdate in the pipeline.

Ambika Mod Instagram

12. Fahadh Faasil: The acclaimed actor had an action-packed year, delivering a standout lead performance in the hit Malayalam action-comedy Aavesham and appearing in the star-studded anthology film Manorathangal. He also played impactful roles in the Tamil action drama Vettaiyan and the blockbuster sequel Pushpa: The Rise. Adding to his accolades, he won the Filmfare best supporting actor – Tamil award for his performance in Maamannan.

11. Riz Ahmed: The British actor continued his international ascent with an impressive slate of projects. He starred in the thriller Relay and worked on multiple high-profile films, including a contemporary adaptation of Hamlet, which he also produced. His forthcoming projects include the adventure comedy The Phoenician Scheme and the TV series Quarter Life, which he headlines and has written. A strong role model, he also used his stardom to drive positive change.

10. Simone Ashley: One of the most prominent breakout stars of recent years, Ashley continued to push boundaries and gain international acclaim. From signing with major brands to returning for another season of Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton and stealing the spotlight on red carpets, the British beauty brought undeniable charm and star power. She also signed high-profile projects, including the Hollywood film F1, starring alongside Brad Pitt.

Simone AshleyGetty Images

9. Hania Aamir: The top Pakistani actress had a headline-grabbing year that saw her global popularity soar. Her standout achievement was her lead role in the superhit drama serial Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, which captivated millions worldwide and showcased her exceptional acting talent. Adding to her success, Hania became the most-followed Pakistani celebrity on Instagram.

Hania Aamir

8. Geraldine Viswanathan: The Australian star continued her rise with a standout role in the acclaimed film Drive-Away Dolls. She also secured a lead role in the upcoming Marvel superhero movie Thunderbolts, set to release worldwide in 2025. Now considered one of the most prominent actresses of south Asian origin in Hollywood, she was also cast alongside Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon in the highly anticipated comedy You’re Cordially Invited.

Geraldine Viswanathan

7. Arijit Singh: While the world was abuzz with Taylor Swift’s success, Indian music sensation Arijit Singh quietly surpassed her to become the most-followed artist on Spotify – achieving this milestone without fanfare or a massive marketing machine. The king of Indian film music continued to deliver hits and sold-out arena concerts worldwide, proving definitively that there is no one quite like him.

Arijit Singh

6. Vijay: The superstar actor delivered another blockbuster with The Greatest Of All Time, the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year, further expanding the reach of Indian cinema. Vijay’s popularity led him to launch his own political party, with a pledge to make a positive impact on people’s lives. In a major announcement, he revealed plans to retire from acting after one final film, for which he received a record-breaking fee.

Vijay

5. Priyanka Chopra-Jonas: The globally renowned Indian celebrity continued to dominate on multiple fronts, making waves with high-profile international acting projects, major brand endorsements, philanthropy, red carpet appearances, striking fashion, and a strong social media presence. She headlined the Hollywood film Love Again, began work on season two of the mega-budget series Citadel, and signed more major Hollywood projects. She also narrated the acclaimed nature documentary Tigers.

Priyanka Chopra JonasGetty Images

4. Dev Patel: The sensational British Asian actor continued to achieve what many subcontinental movie stars have not – headlining an India-set film that resonates with Western audiences. With Monkey Man, he took a significant leap by writing, producing, directing, and starring in the project. Now a respected international actor and filmmaker, Dev has a world of possibilities ahead of him. He also signed more major projects, solidifying his position as a Hollywood power player.

Dev Patel Getty Images

3. Allu Arjun: The actor’s immense star power was evident as he commanded a record-breaking fee for the mega-budget sequel Pushpa: The Rise, the most talked-about Indian movie of 2024. The film set the box office ablaze, achieving massive success across multiple languages – a rarity for pan-Indian releases. This extraordinary feat was largely due to Allu Arjun’s iconic status and unparalleled ability to connect with audiences. Few actors have resonated with the masses as he has, and 2024 showcased his exceptional influence.

Allu Arjun Getty Images

2. Charli XCX: The British singing sensation had a remarkable year filled with unforgettable moments. Her standout achievement was the release of her brilliant album Brat, which inspired the globally popular ‘brat summer’ movement celebrating girl power. Everyone from former US president Barack Obama to devoted fans included her hit singles in their playlists. She headlined massive sold-out arena shows, trended on social media, influenced fashion trends, got seven Grammy nominations, and expanded her empire. She also executive produced music for film and TV, delivered exceptional collaborations, and released great videos.

Charli XCX

1.Diljit Dosanjh: The singing superstar made history with the Dil-Luminati world tour, the most successful global tour ever undertaken by a south Asian celebrity. His groundbreaking performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon marked a milestone for Indian music. Beyond electrifying stages worldwide, Diljit delivered hit songs, including solo singles, film tracks, and international collaborations, and shared the stage with Ed Sheeran multiple times. The multi-talented star also impressed with his acting in hit Punjabi sequel Jatt & Juliet 3 and phenomenal performance in the critically acclaimed Bollywood film Amar Singh Chamkila. Widely regarded as having the greatest year ever for a Punjabi star, Diljit lived up to his GOAT status as every one talked about his incredible achievements.