1 Shah Rukh Khan and Tabu in Saathiya (2002)
As the troubled couple trying to help each other through a tragic night, Shah Rukh Khan and Tabu were brilliant in Mani Ratnam's Saathiya (2002). It was one of the few occasions where the cameo couple managed to steal the thunder from right under the noses of the lead pair.
2 Juhi Chawla and Govinda in Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
You couldn't have slapstick comedy in the 1990s without Govinda, and so this cult comic caper by Rajkumar Santoshi had a magical scene in which Govinda, Juhi Chawla and Aamir Khan came together. In a film that has acquired legendary status over the years, Govinda managed to steal the scene with his casual cool. Damn, Aamir Khan should do another movie with Govinda. We'd pay just to watch the two of them.
3 Amitabh Bachchan in Hero Hiralal (1988)
This is one classic superstar cameo. Amitabh Bachchan was at his peak when Naseeruddin Shah's cult classic Hero Hiralal (1988) came out. In the climax, as the heroine, Sanjana Kapoor, is struggling to find a way past her fans to try and stop Naseeruddin Shah, one man comes to her rescue. Amitabh Bachchan. Bonus points for that fourth-wall-breaking swagger.
4 Hrithik Roshan in Don 2 (2011)
If there is one actor today apart from Shah Rukh Khan who can embody the stylish Don, it is Hrithik Roshan. Audiences for the sequel to Khan's 2006 hit Don were in for a surprise when Hrithik Roshan walked into a party and started dancing with the film's leading lady Priyanka Chopra. To be honest, if King Khan could borrow a physique and a face, he would find few better than Hrithik Roshan's.
5 Ranbir Kapoor in PK (2014)
Rajkumar Hirani pulled off a coup by hiding a Ranbir Kapoor-sized Easter egg in the highest grossing movie of recent years. The end saw Kapoor walk out of an alien spaceship and meeting the other alien in the film, Aamir Khan's PK. If ever Hirani wants to make a sequel, he has the hero marked out.
6 Ranveer Singh in Finding Fanny (2014)
They might not be married, or even engaged, yet. But Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone first came out as a 'married' couple in this quirky, weird film by Homi Adajania. Singh, and his well-groomed beard, were perfect to play Fanny's husband, who dies on the wedding day, in a short cameo. If they do eventually decide to take the next step, the video might be a nice place to start.
7 Aamir Khan in Delhi Belly (2011)
This was Aamir Khan's Tropic Thunder moment. The famously subdued, reclusive actor set aside his inhibitions in this racuously wild song for his nephew Imran Khan's film. Dressed in an Elvis Presley wig and some rad disco pants, Khan rocked the stage with 'I hate you like I love you'. He might have been confused, but audiences weren't. They certainly loved the actor in this avatar.
8 Amitabh Bachchan in English Vinglish (2012)
If you need an actor to up the star power of your simple movie while playing a Yoda-esque figure to your heroine, whom do you call? Amitabh Bachchan. Just when you thought Gauri Shinde's directorial debut seemed a little too staid, in popped the wisecracking Bachchan to deliver a witty, happy pep talk to Sridevi's Shashi Godbole. It remains one of the many moments that made the film so lovable.
9 Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan in Ki & Ka (2016)
In a film about changing male-female dynamics, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan were the perfect foil to Arjun and Kareena Kapoor's Ki & Ka. Playing themselves, both veterans showed why they are among Hindi cinema's most loved couples. Amitabh's simpering while Jaya gushes over Arjun Kapoor made for an adorable watch.
10 Salman Khan in Deewana Mastana (1997)
This brilliant comic caper with Anil Kapoor and Govinda was among David Dhawan's best works in the decade. After fighting over Juhi Chawla through the entire film, Kapoor and Govinda get a raw deal in the anti-climax of the film. Out walks the dashing Salman Khan, hand-in-hand with Chawla, and leaves both of them fuming. Full marks to the costume designer for the cat-themed tie Khan is wearing. You could never be too well dressed for the 1990s.
11 Dharmendra in Guddi (1971)
When Hrishikesh Mukherjee wanted to make a film on a desi fangirl, it was natural that he would make her the fan of one of the most macho heroes of the time, Dharmendra. A close friend and comrade of Hrishida, the star was only too happy to make an appearance in the film. Playing the genial, down-to-earth hero who is very different from his on-screen avatar, Dharmendra was effortless. Incidentally, the fangirl was played by Jaya Bhaduri, soon to be a star herself and go on to marry superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
12 Amitabh Bachchan in Gol Maal (1979)
In the baap of all cameos, you had the Big B making an appearance in a dream song. In one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's most memorable films, Amitabh Bachchan played a superstar who is overthrown by, of all people, Amol Palekar. The actor also made an appearance later in the film when Palekar's character was visiting his friend, Deven Verma, on the sets. This was a throwback to an era when actors would appear in films for the fun of it.
13 Akshay Kumar in Dishoom (2016)
Now that the cat is out of the bag, Akshay Kumar joins the long list of cameo stars with his appearance in Rohit Dhawan's Dishoom. The Varun Dhawan-John Abraham starrer will see Khiladi Kumar play a short action cameo. If reports are to be believed, Kumar plays a dashing 'gay' character, very different from the stereotypes portrayed in Hindi cinema so far.
14 Salman Khan in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009)
This could be summed up in one sentence: Prem meets Prem. Rajkumar Santoshi's return to comedy saw Khan make an appearance in this hilarious scene from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. Incidentally, in the film Ranbir Kapoor was trying to woo Katrina Kaif, who was then dating Salman Khan. As it happened, Kapoor went on to date Kaif in real life.