Turban tadka: Bollywood's top five on-screen 'Singhs'

Once again, Bollywood's 'Khiladi' actor Akshay Kumar is going in for a turbaned look in "Singh Is Bling". In recent years, 'Punjabization' has taken over Bollywood and it seems that playing a "Singh" has become trendy with quite a few actors donning the turban.

Here are the five top actors, who wore the turban with aplomb on big screen:

Akshay Kumar: He first played a Sikh in "Singh Is Kinng" (2008) and the audience loved his character so much so that the film turned into a blockbuster. It still rules the heart of the Singhs in the country. It even touched Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Coming out of parliament after winning a crucial trust vote in 2008, he flashed the V for victory sign and many a TV channel had "Singh is Kinng" playing in the background. The film was appreciated so much that the 46-year-old Akshay was nominated for the best actor award at the 3rd Asian Film Awards for his performance. He will now be seen playing a Sikh again in the film's second instalment, "Singh Is Bling", which is slated to release in July 2015.

Sunny Deol: In recent times, Sunny Deol is the one who has perhaps turned Sikh on the celluloid the maximum number of times - "Border" (1997) "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha" (2001), "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" (2002), "Jo Bole So Nihaal" (2005), and "Yamla Pagla Deewana" (2011). The 57-year-old was appreciated for his work in all of his endeavours.

Saif Ali Khan: Known for his metrosexual image, Tiger Pataudi's son Saif Ali Khan too wrapped the turban to essay Veer Singh in "Love Aaj Kal"(2009), directed by Imtiaz Ali. The 43-year-old, who played a double role in the romantic comedy, impressed girls across the country with his style statement in the film.

Ranbir Kapoor: Current heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor was seen with turban in "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year" (2009). Rachel Saltz of New York Times called it "a smart, focussed Bollywood movie" and commended the 31-year-old for "turning in a skillfully understated performance".

Ajay Devgn: Ajay Devgan furnished an exquisite performance of his career as freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in "The Legend of Bhagat Singh". For the 2002 release, directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi, he received the National Film Award for best actor. Later, the 45-year-old did a humorous role in "Son of Sardaar" (2012) as Jaswinder Singh.

(Divya Dwivedi can be contacted at divya.d@ians.in)