From left: Jaya Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Rani Mukherjee and Bipasha Basu

Bengali belles of Bollywood continue to rule the roost. The Daily Star takes a look at these actors and their Bengali connections.

Jaya Bachchan
Born in Kolkata on April 9, 1948 to journalist Taroon Kumar and Indira Bhaduri, Jaya continues to have an affinity for West Bengal's capital city. She studied at St Joseph's Convent in Bhopal and even as a child was fond of acting in plays.
After a small role in a Satyajit Ray film at the age of 15, her first major break too was with a Bengali filmmakerHrishikesh Mukherjee's Guddi. Impressed by her singular screen presence, he went on to cast her in Bawarchi, Anamika, Abhimaan, Chupke Chupke and Mili.
After highly successful films like Sholay and Silsila, Jaya took a sabbatical as she wanted to be with her children. Seventeen years later, she made a comeback in Hazar Chaurasi Ki Maa. After a gap of 20 years she acted along with Amitabh in Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.
Jaya is greeted with much warmth on her Kolkata visits. In fact Amitabh has earned the sobriquet of 'Kolkota's son-in-law' after his marriage to Jaya. Director Rituparno Ghosh who cast her in his forthcoming bilingual film Sunglass, which was shot in Kolkata, recalls, “Jaya-di was an absolute dream. You won't get to see Jaya Bachchan in Sunglass. You'll see Jaya Bhaduri.”

Sharmila Tagore
Popularly known as 'Bengal tigress', Sharmila has entranced many a viewer with her famous dimples and charming smile. Born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in a Bengali Brahmo family on December 8, 1946, she is the daughter of Gitindranth Tagore, a distant relative of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Sharmila began her acting career in the 1959 Satyajit Ray film Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) as the ill-fated bride of the title character. A mere 14-year-old at the time, she turned in a commendable performance in the film. Ray also cast her in his next film Devi.
And over the years, Sharmila has notched up many successes in BollywoodVirudhdh, Eklavya: The Royal Guard, An Evening in Paris, Anupama, Aradhana, Mausam, Amar Prem, Chupke Chupke, Anand Ashram, Daag, Safar and Mira Nair's film Mississippi Masala and others.
Sharmila is also the chairperson of the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Rani Mukherjee
The face behind many a popular film and ad, Rani is busy on the forthcoming Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. In this film, replete with drama, fun and confusion, Rani essays the role of an angel sent down by God to end the chaos in the central character (Saif Ali Khan's) home.
Born on March 21, 1978, in Kolkata she has already stirred up a storm by winning the prestigious Filmfare Award six times over. Her entry into filmdom was natural, given her background. Her father Ram Mukherjee is a retired director and one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios, while her mother Krishna was a playback singer of her times. Then there's her maternal aunt, Debashree Roy, a Bengali film actress and a national award winner. Up front, of course, is her famous cousin Kajol.
Along side, Rani has a passion for the Odissi dance form, which she began to learn in the tenth grade. All of 14, her acting debut was in a Bengali film called Biyer Phool. After a brief lull because of her young age coupled with academic demands, she took on a role in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1996). The film bombed at the box office and Rani went on to college.
Her first commercial success was Ghulam (1998), in which she was pitted against the superstar Amir Khan. Close on its heels came Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, in which she starred with Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. The movie earned her a first Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actress category.
Later came Chalte Chalte, Yuva, Black, Hum Tum and Saawariya. Keep going strong Rani.

Bipasha Basu
Bipasha Basu (also known as Bonny) is another Bengali to watch out for. Sizzling supermodel and actress, she was born on May 5, 1979 in Delhi. She grew up in Kolkata and is now based in Mumbai. At a mere age of 17, she won the Famous Ford Supermodels Contest and became a leading model for leading Indian designers.
Later, she did the famous video Tu Meri Mehbooba for Sonu Nigam's album Kismat. In 2002, she launched headlong into the film world with Ajnabi (2001). Then followed a string of films such as Raaz, Takkari Donga (in Telegu), Jism, Zameen, Rudraksh and Rakth.
The last few years have witnessed her setting the screen on fire with No Entry, Barsaat, Phir Hera Pheri and Corporate (pitched as a sophisticated business executive, she won rave reviews for the latter). Now this young actress is a leading contender for the top spot in Hindi films.