M.F.Hussain (b.1915) (Painting) is considered as India's leading artist. He began his career by painting huge cinema posters on hoardings. He formed the Progressive Artists Group in 1948 along with Havell, Francis Souza, Sayed Raza and Amrita Shergil. He had his first one-man show at Mumbai in 1950. He made a symbolic film, Through the Eyes of a Painter in 1966, which won him the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival. He painted several important series of paintings like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, Chirst and the Lamb, Peace Doves, Women with Roosters and Mother Teresa. He has constructed several art museums including, Husain Sankalana (Bangalore), Husain Gufa (Ahmedabad) and Husain ki Sarai (New Delhi). On January 26, 1988, M.F Husain 'painted the music' of the noted Hindustani classical singer, Bhimsen Joshi at the Tata Theatre in South Bombay. While Bhimsen Joshi sang the Raag Gujri Todi and others, M.F Husain "painted the music" in full view of the audience on a 4x6 ft canvas. However some of his fellow painters dismissed his efforts as a stunt and some people were disappointed. Hussain generated much controversy for depicting goddesses in the nude. In the last couple of years, Hussain took a great fascination for the cine actress Madhuri Dixit and made her the subject of his many a painting. He has also produced a Hindi feature called Gajamani with Madhuri in the lead role.

Shabana Azmi is renowned Hindi film actress, Member of Parliament and Social activist, Shabana Azmi has recently been appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations' Population Fund (UNPF).  She has won five National Awards for the Best Actress in Shyam Benegal's Ankur, Gautam Ghosh's Paar, Mrinal Sen's Khandahar, Arth and in 1998 for her role in Vinay Shukla's Godmother.  She acted in several Hindi films and some foreign films like Madam Souzatska and La Nuit Bengali.  She also likes acting for the theatre and her Tumhari Amrita (with Farooque shaikh) is a major crowd puller on the Mumbai stage.  Shabana Azmi is a prominent star of the new cinema movement.  Her important films of this genre are Nishant, Junoon, Mandi, Khandhar, Genesis, Susman, Antarnaad, Ek Din Achanak, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai, Paar, Sparsh, Disha, Picnic, Sati, Arth and the recent Godmother.

Saeed Akhtar Mirza is one of the most vociferous spokesmen of the new cinema movement in India.  His first film was Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan, which was followed by Albert Pinto Ku Gussa Kyon Aata Hai.  He has also directed successful TV serials like Nukkad and Intezaar.  Mirza spent eight years in the advertising industry before coming to filmdom.

Prem Nazir (original name Abdul Khader) reigned at the centre-stage of the Malayalam screen as its evergreen hero for nearly four decades. He  carved a niche for himself in the Guinness Book by acting as hero in more than 700 films, more than 100 films with the same heroine.

With hits like Vishappinte Vili, Irruttinte Atmavu, Adimakal, Agniputri, Asuravithu, Nagarame Nandi, Azhakullaselina, Prashnam Gurutharam, Padayottam, Aaromalunni, Kadathanattu makam, Murappenu, Kanhanaseetha and Othenante makam this shining star became the celluloid realization of many dreams. At 54 this romantic hero was conferred with the title of the 'Evergreen hero' and 'Prince charming' of the Malayalam screen.

 Recipient of the Padma Bhushan and a special award from the Kerala government for his contributions to Malayalam cinema, Prem Nazir joined the growing line of celluloid heroes who entered politics.