India, March 19 -- Geeta, from Swades. Ashutosh Gowariker cast Gayatri Joshi because he wanted someone unfamiliar to Bollywood audiences. She was a beauty-pageant winner, and had turned down several roles before the 2004 film. She acted opposite Shah Rukh Khan, earned critical praise and multiple Best Female Debut awards. Then she walked away, to wed businessman Vikas Oberoi in 2005. She is a rare case of Bollywood's most graceful one and done.

Subodh, from Dil Chahta Hai. Asad Dadarkar's character has been living in our heads rent-free since the film's 2001 release. The walking, talking, heart-shaped-balloon-giving nitpicker is what made the friendship seem real. IRL, Dadarkar wasn't an actor, just a friend who once didn't let Farhan Ak...