What is a prerequisite of a Hindi film? Technically, this is even more important than the stardom at display. Yes, it's the deftness of the language - Hindi. Take it from us who hail from an area in the country where it is not a native language. Growing up in the 90s, we learned Hindi mostly from the songs and by watching these movies. It helped that our schools taught the language but even the teachers couldn't have made us proficient in Hindi as much as the movies did. So for us, we will forever be indebted to these stars for familiarising us with the language which isn't spoken much around us. Hindi Diwas: Few Hindi Words Like 'Jugaad', 'Didi' and Many Others Are Now in Oxford Dictionary.

That also made us realise that never ever will any generation learn Hindi from movies because there are too many options now. Also, digital penetration in remote areas ensures that everyone is well-versed in the language. But we will never forget the actors who left an indelible mark in our lives by teaching us Hindi and continue to do so. On Hindi Diwas, let's talk about them.

Amitabh Bachchan

One of the biggest reasons behind us staying glued to television sets every time Kaun Banega Crorepati airs is Amitabh Bachchan's Hindi. He is the son of Hindi literature's biggest poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. The language is in his blood if we go filmi over it. His pronunciations and enunciations are simply top-notch. It is safe to say nobody in the industry comes even close to his level.

Shah Rukh Khan

Being a Dilli ka launda (Delhi Boy), Shah Rukh Khan has immense dexterity in the language. In his over three decades old career, SRK has managed to leave an imprint on her mind and life not just as a lover boy we will never have but also as a person who's Hindi is to die for.

Pankaj Tripathi

Pankaj Tripathi's Hindi oratory skills is like the calmness in the storm. You can hear him all day and still not get bored. He makes it sounds so effortless as if the language is him and not just something he speaks.

Ashutosh Rana

Ashutosh Rana's villain act from Dushman is ingrained in our heads but even that couldn't stop us from marveling about the control he has over Hindi. It is simply beseeching! Hindi Diwas 2022: From Chupke Chupke to English Vinglish, Popular Movies That Have Celebrated the Language.

Manoj Bajpayee

Manoj Bajpayee is effortless. Often when we speak a different language, we have to think it through and then say it. Manoj Bajpayee breathes Hindi!

Kader Khan

This list will be incomplete if we don't mention the stalwart called Kader Khan. Be it Hindi or Urdu, the words he used to use in his dialogues and script can easily be both a beginner's guide and an advanced-level study of the Hindi language. It's a pity he didn't get the credit he deserved for being so deft at it.

Naseeruddin Shah

What do we say about Naseeruddin Shah? He is an acting institution in himself, true. But the way he mouthed his dialogues in Hindi makes us believe the legendary actor feels one with the language.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 14, 2023 08:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).