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Bollywood's promising Young Turks are neck-to-neck this year in terms of releases. Our panel of experts rates them on their chances of success.
Different Deol with a unique mystique - Abhay Deol
His is a classic case of redefinition. Abhay started off as a romantic hero in mainstream films such as Socha Na Thaand Ahista Ahistabut changed gears with Ek Chaalis Ki Last Localand Manorama Six Feet Under to become crossover cinema's hottest star. The all-new Abhay gradually also impressed with Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Dev.D and Road, Movie. While Abhay Deol continues to intrigue with his redefinition sprees, he has cut a unique brand image for himself as an unconventional hero in the process.
Right now, Abhay enters a new zone, having launched his banner, Forbidden Films. His first film will be Basra, directed by Manorama Six Feet Under maker Navdeep Singh. Interestingly, he continues to be the introvert sort in his personal life. Like a pucca Deol, he is secretive about his love life. FILMS IN HAND: Aisha, Zindagi Milegi Na Dubara, Basra.
PANELSPEAK: PRAHLAD KAKKAR, ad guru Ups: 'Abhay will never be a blockbuster hero with his unconventional image but he will always be a viable option at the box-office.' Downs: 'He looks like he is too sure of himself all the time. Over-confidence can be fatal.' Way he has handled career: 'His experiments are working but he needs to be more visible.' Future stock: 'Since he isn't wholly about glamour, he'll survive for long.' Tip: 'Try some masala stuff, too.' Rating: 6.5/10
PRITISH NANDY, filmmaker Ups: 'His unusual choices are his USP.' Downs: 'His ''different' tag is becoming predictable. He has to surprise viewers.' Way he has handled career: 'All credits for avoiding the typical ''Deol' image trap.' Future stock: 'He'll always have a unique mystique.' Tip: 'Abhay should go for mainstream films too.' Rating: 7.5/10 JAG MUNDHRA, filmmaker Ups: 'He isn't afraid to experiment. Plus, he is a very honest actor.' Downs: 'His love for offbeat films means he won't be a superstar.' Way he has handled career: 'Very smartly, knowing he can't be a Heman like the other Deols.' Future stock: 'He will always survive.' Tip: 'He shouldn't ignore commercial films wholly.' Rating: 7.5/10
Chocolate Hero with a new-age twist - Imran Khan
'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na made him a star but he lost track with Kidnap and Luck. Offscreen too, he cuts a sweet picture. FILMS IN HAND: I Hate Luv Storys, Break Ke Baad, Delhi Belly. PANELSPEAK: PRAHLAD KAKKAR, ad guru Ups: 'He is a talented and interesting actor.' Downs: 'He's always over-analysing things.' Way he has handled career: 'He has experimented with roles, though they backfired.' Future stock: 'Imran will give the chocolate hero a new-age twist.' Tip: 'He should not lose focus on his USP.'Rating: 6.5/10 JAG MUNDHRA, filmmaker Ups: 'His face has an interesting quality.' Downs: 'His choice of films has been bad.' Way he has handled career: 'He tried experimenting too soon in his career.' Future stock: 'He will go a long way.' Tip: 'He has to be cautious about image.' Rating: 6/10 PRITISH NANDY, filmmaker Ups: 'He makes the loverboy look different.' Downs: 'His choices have been bad.' Way he has handled career: 'He revealed screen presence in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.'
Future stock: 'His future films show he is going for interesting yet safe roles.' Tip: 'Turn to Aamir mamu for advice.' Rating: 4/10
Desi star, exotic appeal - Neil Nitin Mukesh
He has clearly suffered from expectation overload. With Johnny Gaddar, Neil was touted as the next big thing. Although his performance in the film was appreciated, Neil could never repeat his performance again. New Yorkclicked but Neil was hardly credited. Two subsequent flops, Aa Dekhen Zaraand Jail, caused further damage. FILMS IN HAND: Lafangey Parindey, Saat Khoon Maaf.PANELSPEAK: PRAHLAD KAKKAR, ad guru Ups: 'His middle-of-the-road charisma is unique. He is an intelligent actor and a good-looking guy.' Downs: 'He tends to behave like a superstar but he's not one.' Way he has handled career: 'Neil has done nothing outstanding so far.' Future stock: 'He should redefine himself because he is getting slotted as second hero.' Tip: 'Neil has to break out of the comfort zone of multistarrers.' Rating: 6/10 JAG MUNDHRA, filmmaker Ups: 'Neil has an intense face. Johnny Gaddargave him an intelligent actor's tag.' Downs: 'He looks like a foreigner, which can be an impediment.'
Way he has handled career: 'He seems too influenced by Hollywood stars.' Future stock: 'It all depends on the kind of films he chooses now.' Tip: 'He shouldn't rush into things but wait for his turn.' Rating: 5/10 PRITISH NANDY, filmmaker Ups: 'Neil is talented and looks exotic too.' Downs: 'He has to do more films, to be visible.' Way he has handled career: 'His first role was too good and that made it difficult for him to meet expectations.'
Future stock: 'If he signs the right films to go with his outlandish image, he will click.' Tip: He can't compete with traditional stars. He has to carve a niche.' Rating: 5/10
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Young, sexy and intelligent too: Ranbir Kapoor
He came to the industry with prepackaged hype thanks to his Kapoor lineage but that didn't prevent his debut film Saawariya from sinking. Since then Ranbir has played his cards carefully. He scored hits with safe commercial projects and also proved his worth as an actor in crossover films such as Rocket Singhand Wake Up Sid. Off the screen, Ranbir has packaged himself intelligently as a brand name. His link-ups with top actresses like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif have only added to his sex appeal. FILMS IN HAND: Raajneeti, a biopic on Kishore Kumar, Rockstar, Anjaana Anjaani.PANELSPEAK: PRAHLAD KAKKAR, ad guru Ups: 'Ranbir is a perfect package for superstardom. He is good-looking, has a sense of humour and is confident. Plus, the camera loves Ranbir.' Downs: 'He crowds his resume with mediocre films.' Way he has handled career: 'So far Ranbir has come across as a sweet boy, which is good for his brand image.' Future stock: 'His pedigree won't let him lose his head because of stardom.'
Tip: 'Ranbir should never think that he has become bigger than his films.' Rating: 8/10 JAG MUNDHRA, filmmaker Ups: 'Ranbir's choice of films proves that he knows his limitations.' Downs: 'He seems wary about experimenting. Like all young stars, he seems hesitant about balancing between commercial and meaningful cinema.' Way he has handled career: 'I like his willingness to play the vulnerable fool, as he did in Rocket Singh.' Future stock: 'The next few years are important. He's on the right track.' Tip: 'He shouldn't get stuck in a rut.' Rating: 8/10
PRITISH NANDY, filmmaker Ups: 'He doesn't fall in the formula hero bracket despite being a commercial star. Also, he is the right mix of youth, sex appeal and intelligence.' Downs: 'Ranbir needs to play beyond his safe zone.' Way he has handled career: 'Most of his past roles have been predictable.' Future stock: 'The future looks interesting for Ranbir.' Tip: 'He should go for different films but shouldn't go overboard with experimenting. That way, he would stand to lose his fan base.' Rating: 8/10
The cute boy who also acts well: Shahid Kapoor
Shahid had a hit debut with Ishq Vishk in 2003. A series of flops followed by way of Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi, Fida, Shikhar, Chup Chup Ke and Deewane Hue Pagal, which saw people snub him as a one-film wonder. He returned with Vivah, Jab We Met, Kismet Konnection and Kaminey. Badmaash Company has opened well, coming after blunders such as Chance Pe Dance, Paathshaala, and Dil Bole Hadippa. FILMS IN HAND: Milenge Milenge, Mausam.PANELSPEAK: PRAHLAD KAKKAR, ad guru Ups: 'Shahid is a versatile actor. He is also a good dancer.' Downs: 'He tends to limit himself with typical loverboy roles.' Way he has handled career: 'Apart from Jab We Met and Kaminey, his choice of films have been wrong.' Future stock: 'His range will help him survive.' Tip: 'A director's actor, Shahid needs to choose his films and directors more carefully.' Rating: 7/10
JAG MUNDHRA, filmmaker Ups: 'He has an endearing face and image, and is a good actor and dancer too.' Downs: 'Not being tall affects his chances in action roles.' Way he has handled career: 'Shahid has been careless in his choice of films. Otherwise, he has proved his worth as a star.' Future stock: 'He will survive owing to his sheer talent.' Tip: 'Shahid has to be cautious about the films he selects.' Rating: 7/10 PRITISH NANDY, filmmaker Ups: 'Shahid has proved that he is a capable actor and star.' Downs: 'He makes more news with his love life than with the films that he signs.' Way he has handled career: 'Shahid has done some very shoddy films in the past.' Future stock: 'He needs to understand what works for him as an actor.' Tip: 'To realise his talent fully, he shouldn't just focus on glamour, six-packs and his dancing skills.' Rating: 7.5/10
Indian Idol 15
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