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No one expected them to outshine their peers, but they did, and how! Tellychakkar.com takes a look at the underdogs, the unknowns and the unsung at the beginning of the year, who turned up heroes at the end of 2005!

Qazi Toqueer

20 October, 2005 was a day that will be remembered in the entertainment industry as the day Qazi Toqueer was crowned King! The guy with the disheveled locks, a confused aim in life and a surprising lack of sur and taal was declared the winner of Sony's reality show, Fame Gurukul. In a few months time, the frank and outspoken Qazi became the heartthrob of millions, even outshining Rex D'souza, who had made quite a mark with his performance and charisma. If this was not all, Qazi's name has now becone synonymous with the X-factor!!!!

Rajesh Kumar

Rajesh Kumar was last seen as Kkusum's good for nothing bro in Sony's show of the same name. But this year was bonanza time for the actor, who not only bagged Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, but has also become a rage with his portrayal of the upmarket spoilt rich mamma's boy, Rosesh. After playing a psycho in Sony's Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka and an almost forgettable character in Kksum, this is Rajesh's first real brush with stardom! And his crowning glory is his role in Ba Bahoo Aur Baby in which we can see the actor in an altogether different character! So Rajesh definitely qualifies as one of the most sought after surprise package of the year!

Rupali Ganguly
Rupali Ganguly seems to have perfected the art of illogical banter! She has re-discovered herself as the babbling dim witted Monisha in Star One's Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and this is one act that's got everybody talking! Daughter of acclaimed director, Anil Ganguly, Rupali has no doubt made the transition from the wily Dr Simran of Sanjivani to the middle-class bahu! What more could an artiste ask for?

Pooja Ghai Rawal

Suhasi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, had disappeared from the small screen for quite some time. But now the lady is back with a vengeance. Besides hosting Sony's recently concluded Shikhar, Pooja has some very interesting projects in her kitty, including Aroona Irani's Rabba Ishq Na Hove, and also a powerful cameo in Jassi and not to forget she was the new face in Siddhanth as a lawyer's love. With more serials coming her way, the young woman's career is rocking like never before. When Suhasi's track didn't work out in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, without losing hope she waited and endurance showed. Within a year's time, Pooja Ghai has reached the peak of her career.

The Great Indian Laughter Challenge

Nobody ever thought of a show like The Great Indian Laughter Challenge before Star One hit upon the idea. Now, it has set the stage for others to catch on with the trend. The show is the brain child of Pankaj Saraswat who has designed and executed the entire content. A number of shows have started walking on the same path now. The episode telecast on 16 October 2005, crowned Sunil Pal of Nagpur as the Comic King. Joined by the inimitable Navjot Singh Sidhu and Shekhar Suman, The Great Indian Laughter Champions will most probably in future too, make viewers laugh and giggle till they cry.

Shweta Kawatra with hubby Manav Gohil are all set to go on their second honeymoon trip to the Bahamas, on 20 December. "This would be our second honeymoon plus New Year outing. I hope it turns out to be fun," says the chirpy gal, who got hitched to Manav on Christmas Day last year. The trip will also include a jaunt to New York, where they can meet up with Shweta's sister. Manav has recently opted out of CID, but is prominent in Remix, while Shweta is content with CID Special Bureau and with hosting film based shows. A break is probably what they need!

Kunika follows her Kittie Party gang… first it was Achint Kaur who started a beauty salon called Beyond the Fringe (in Juhu) and now its none other than Kunika Sadanand Lal who is all set to open a holistic health and beauty spa called Exhale(in goregaon). "I am planning to open my spa either on 25 December or on 6 January. I am not doing television now but I might sign on some films soon. Most importantly I want to concentrate on my Spa for the time being," says Kunika. She is also frequenting the human rights court fighting for the illegal construction at Mhada. Here's one lady who knows how to juggle her career with her hobbies…

If Star One decides to launch Nach Baliye2 then one thing's for sure -- telly couples will surely try to get hitched with a vengeance! We, at TellyChakkar.com decided to preempt such a situation and list the wannabe hip shakers and find out if they are interested in shaking a leg and having some fun at the same time.

Nach Baliye was fun because it gave us a peek into the lives of our favourite stars with the person that they loved most -- their better halves! What would we want in the second edition of NB, we asked ourselves. Well, for starters surely an oomph factor and then contestants with interesting backgrounds. For example, Shweta Kawatra and Manav Gohil -- they not only look good together, but their love story is straight out of a Mills and Boons novel. The couple got married on Christmas eve after dating for over three years. "We were offered the challenge earlier but unfortunately, had to refuse because we could not manage dates. If ever in future, anything of this sort happens then we would be the first one to grab the opportunity," says Shweta, who seemed excited about the prospect of being on a show with her hubby.

Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan are sure to top the 'most wanted list' on Nach Baliye 2. They are a handsome couple and to trace their life on the show would garner a lot of TRPs."We were offered this earlier too but because of our tight schedules we couldn't make it. And if we are given the offer again and if time permits, we would participate in it. As far as winning is concerned, I actually don't expect anything, the best man would win," points out Hiten.

Then there must be a couple who are cute -- a couple who might spring a few surprises! Who better than Rajesh Kumar and Madhavi to do the needful? "Yes, of course, we would love to be in any competition as I am a big sports man and therefore very competent. And of course, money follows," laughs Rajesh.

Gauri Tonk and Yash Tonk are a couple who can prove to be show stealers.

Yash surely knows how to dance and Gauri can match her hubby step to step. The couple also have a two and a half year old daughter called Pari and this makes for an interesting family. "Yes, why not! Gauri is a good dancer and she can actually make us win. If ever we would be offered, we would willingly be in the show," says Yash, who has hit the big screen with his forthcoming film, Fight Club.

Kiran Karmakar and Rinku Dhawan are sure to raise
some eyebrows if they make it to Nach Baliye 2. "I have never thought of anything like this and frankly speaking I don't know how to dance and all that I can do is something in the Rajesh Khanna style and that too very bad. But yes, Rinku has done a lot of dance shows and has even gone abroad for the same but I think even she has lost the touch. So, maybe, this would be the last option for us," says an amazed Kiran.

Another couple who claim that dancing comes easy to them is Gurdeep Kholi and Arjun Punj. "We were offered the challenge even this time, but because of our other commitments we could not. But of course, if in future we are ever approched for the same, we will definitely grab it for sure. and above all we are good dancers and therefore chances of winning also increases," says Gurdeep.

Well, now to add some sizzle on the dance floor, we look to Bhaktiar Irani and Tanaaz Lal (till recently she was Currim), the latest to join the telly couple bandwagon.

This couple's much talked about liason could translate into marriage soon, if sources are to be believed. The icing on the cake is that the viewers will be able to see some great dancing as Bhaktiar was once part of Farah Khan's troupe and is a powerhouse performer. "If we are offered to do something of this sort, we will not only participate, but also win. The industry has not seen me dancing yet. I am the best the industry could ever get and I dance very well. As far as Tanaaz is concerned, she has always been a great dancer," says the confident actor.

Another couple who caught our fancy are Kanwaljeet and Anuradha Patel. Both are legends in their own right and since the latter had returned to the small screen they would make a happening pair on stage. "I have danced with Zeenat Aman, but now I am way past the age to do anything of this sort," laughs Kanwaljeet.

We had two more couples on our list, people whom we could not get in touch with. One of them was Hiten Paintel and his girlfriend Kishwar Ahluwali and the other was Ashutosh Rana and Renuka Shahane. While the former have proved that they can dance well (they hit the dance floor as soon as they reach a party), the latter's performance could well be a pleasant surprise!

Well, if really Nach Baliye 2 is on the cards, then this is a headstart that we are giving to the Star One creative team!

Anybody listening?

Divya Seth (remember Majli in Hum Log aeons ago?) is making a comeback through Manish Goswami's new show for Zee, Aaj. Her maternity break extended for four years after daughter Mihika was born, but Divya is now determined to resume her career despite being based in Pune. "I have a supporting mother-in-law, sister-in-law and husband. I make sure that I shoot only 12 days a month in Mumbai. Manish, the producer has planned schedules taking into consideration that I live in Pune."

So how does she find time for her child? "I involve myself in all her activities, just like any other normal mother. I make sure that we go for a long holiday at least once a year. I am quite organized that way."
Divya's favorite pastime with her daughter involves reading to her. "I read out a lot of stories to her. She even has a library of her own!" says the proud mom.

Maninee De, or Pari of Jassi for the couch potatoes has a five and a half year old daughter Dianoor from her earlier marriage. "The secret of managing everything successfully is basically the simple act of balancing everything by prioritizing, using my multi-tasking capabilities, time management and commitment," says the effusive Maninee in one breath. She says she has learnt to manage things without getting exhausted and this involves making a checklist of my daily, weekly and monthly goals.

And does her celeb status hinder her role as mother? "As Pari, I do get mobbed by not only adults but also children. My daughter does feel strange and scared at times! But I make sure that I give her extra attention and affection and tell her that I love her the most."

Achint Kaur may not look it, but her son Preetanjan is almost a teenager. "He's 12, but I take leave during his exams and take full care of him." Even her routine schedule excludes Sundays from work, and

Achint makes it a point not to shoot more than 20 days a month. "I look into his homework, clothes, shopping and everything else." And no, Achint seldom has a problem getting recognized on the streets, "Even when people recognize me on the road, only a few approach me as they think I have an attitude!

For Deepshikha, it's double the dilemma, with two young kids at home. She sighs, "It is difficult to manage home, career and children. I give space to myself. I spend quality time with my children, four and a half years old Vidhika and four-month-old son Vivian. I take them out whenever I can. I don't shoot after ten p.m. I have co-operative producers and my mother-in-law is also a great support. I feel

working mothers are more careful about their children as they suffer from separation guilt! I read stories to my daughter, talk to her and explain things. On her holidays I even take her to shoots.

"But sometimes when I go to pick her up from birthday parties and people give attention to me, she understands.

Mansi Joshi Roy agrees that motherhood and career are a 'super- balancing' act. "I am immensely blessed with a great support system. Rohit's mom and my daughter's 20 year old nanny are a great help. Besides, my mom stays fifteen minutes away from my home. My daughter's school calendar is what I and my husband follow.

"For me, the best way to unwind is reading a book peacefully for some time. For a change I like to have a glass of wine with my husband with soothing music playing in the background after my daughter has slept.

As Mansi sums up the feeling, "At the end of the day when I see my daughter's smiling face, it makes it possible for me to balance everything without complaints!"