1 Nargis
One of Hindi cinema’s most iconic stars, Nargis made her big-screen debut in Talash-e-Haq (1935) at age six. Acting alongside her prolific mother, Jaddanbai, who moonlighted as director, music composer and writer at times, Nargis was initially known as Baby Rani. She made her debut as lead actress opposite Motilal with Taqdeer (1943) at 14 and went on to star in critically acclaimed films from Barsaat (1949) to Raat Aur Din (1967).
2 Madhubala
Like Nargis, Madhubala made the jump to lead actress at 14 in Neel Kamal (1947). She acted opposite Raj Kapoor in the film as Madhubala, but as a child artiste, she was known as Mumtaz in films like Basant (1942), Mumtaz Mahal (1944), and Pujari (1946). Her breakthrough came with Kamal Amrohi’s Mahal (1949) which led to further hits Badal (1951), Sangdil (1952), and Mr. & Mrs. ‘55 (1955). She remains immortalized on the Indian screen with her performance as Anarkali in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).
3 Meena Kumari
Born Mahjabeen Bano, Meena Kumari entered the world of films as Baby Meena with Farzand-e-Watan (1939). She graduated to leading roles with Aladdin Aur Jadui Chirag (1952) and Parineeta (1953). The year 1962 was a landmark for her, with all three nominations for the Filmfare award for Best Actress belonging to her for Aarti, Main Chup Rahungi, and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.
4 Nalini Jaywant
Younger cousin of actress Shobhana Samarth and aunt to Nutan and Tanuja, Nalini Jaywant easily made the transition from successful child artiste in films like Mehboob Khan’s Bahen (1941), Nirdosh (1941) and Radhika (1941) to starring roles opposite the top leading men of the time. She made a popular pair with Ashok Kumar; they starred together in Samadhi (1950) and Sangram (1950).
5 Nanda
A niece of legendary filmmaker V Shantaram, Nanda worked as a child artiste for nearly a decade before joining the big league with Toofan Aur Diya (1956) and Bhabhi (1957). Her screen debut was in Mandir (1948) as Baby Nanda. Nanda turned to lead roles with Hum Dono (1961) and Teen Deviyan (1961) after playing the supportive sister in films like Chhoti Bahen (1959).