The bets are on Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut to take home awards

In a few months Bollywood's annual awards season will begin, we look at the probable front runners in the main categories

2014 has been a good year at the movies. The front benchers got their share of excitement with massy films like Ek Villain, Bang Bang, Happy New Year and Kick. While the classes enjoyed films that took the road less travelled like Highway,Finding Fanny, Citylights and Haider. Here's looking at some of the prime contenders for the main categories at the award season come 2015...

Best Actor

Who will be nominated:

Shahid Kapoor (Haider)

Shah Rukh Khan (Happy New Year)

Salman Khan (Kick)

Arjun Kapoor (2 States)

Naseeruddin Shah (Dedh Ishqiya, Finding Fanny)

Who should win:

Shahid Kapoor (Haider)

Why

Shahid made it cool to shave your head stand in the middle of the road and make a random speech with a transistor around your neck. He also changed the game for himself by going all out and coming out of the quicksand of stereotypes he was stuck in for the last few years. Haiderwouldn't have been Haider if it didn't have the chutzpah of a certain Shahid Kapoor!

Best Actress

Who will be nominated:

Sonam Kapoor (Khoobsurat)

Alia Bhatt (Highway, 2 States)

Kangana Ranaut (Queen)

Rani Mukerji (Mardaani)

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom)

Parineeti Chopra (Hasee Toh Phasee)

Who should win:

It's a tie between Kangana and Alia. We feel that the popular award might go to Kangana (given the fact that Queen was a hit) while the critics might sway towards Alia's honest act in Highway. They both deserve a trophy and prasie from their peers for their roles. Alia showed versatility with two films that were polar opposites. Kangana proved that given a good role and a director willing to have faith in her craft, she can not just fly but soar!

Best Film

Who will be nominated:

Haider

Happy New Year

Haider

Kick

2 States

Queen

Who should win:

This is a tough one, given the fact that both Queen and 2 States were extremely enjoyable and both these films had ample repeat audience. Haider too was technically superior than anything that came out this year, be the narrative or the beautiful cinematography. However, we think that the trophy might go to 2 States or Haider depending again on which way the jury swings! If we had a choice we would give one to each.

P.S. - These names are all subject to the release of the monster that is called PK. We are sure that the Raju Hirani-Aamir Khan film will make a HUGE dent at the box-office and influence the award season as well