As the nation celebrates Parsis New Year today; Raaga.Com wishes Happy Nowroz to all Parsis brethren around the globe and take a peek at top 5 Parsi actors who made a mark in Bollywood.

Sohrab Modi

He is perhaps the most powerful Parsi actor cum filmmaker who dominated Bollywood in the early 40`s and 50 with his historical movies. Who can forget his super hit films like KHOON KA KHOON (1935), a version of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. His other memorable films include PUKAR, SIKANDAR, PRITHVI VALLABH, JHANSI KI RANI, MIRZA GALIB etc.

His great contribution to Indian cinema won him Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

John Abraham

Son of a Malayali Nasrani father and a Parsi mother, John Abraham is not only popular as an actor and model, but has also earned acclaim as a producer. His choice of subjects is really commendable. Both his films VICKY DONOR and MADRAS CAFE tackled subjects that few filmmakers dare to touch. Further his interest in sports and fitness has a positive influence on youth.

Boman Irani

After the exit of Amrish Puri, there was a vacuum in the industry for a good character actor but thanks to Boman Irani, he filled the vacuum with competency. With the amazing range to emote he has been excellent in any role be it a villain in MUNNABHAI MBBS to a comedian in MAIN HOON NAA. His other hit films include 3 IDIOTS, PK, DON 2 etc.

Farooq Sheikh

Few know that dynamic parallel cinema actor Farooq Sheikh was born to Farida, a Parsi Zoroastrian mother while his father was a Muslim, Mustafa Sheikh. He belonged to a family of landlords and his father was a lawyer from Mumbai. He grew up in a posh surrounding along with his four younger siblings. Yet despite such regal upbringing he was down to earth and an actor par excellence. His hit films include Satyajit Ray`s SHATRANJ KE KHILADI, NOORIE, CHASME BADDOOR, UMRAO JAAN, BAZAAR etc.

Farhan Akhtar

Son of eminent script writer Javed Akhtar and Parsi mother Honey Irani, who dominated the 50`s and 60`s as yesteryear famous child actress, Farhan Akhtar has made the name of his parents to dizzy height with his acting and film making.

This article is from Raaga's music blog. Read more at http://blog.raaga.com