#BigStory: Ahan Shetty, Manushi Chillar, Lakshya - Meet the Bollywood debutants of 2021
By - TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Karen Pereira
Updated: Jan 3, 2021, 15:32 IST
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Pic: TNN
As the curtains come down on 2020, a year where theatres remained shut for the better part, cinephiles are looking forward to welcome the New Year with new faces that promise to deliver.
Whether we loved or hated the last 12 months, there was no denying that it played a significant part in changing the face of cinema. While the Bollywood film industry had its fair share of challenges, it was traditional cinema that fought brave and hard for its survival against the rise of digital platforms.
At a time when production houses were biting the lucrative bait and releasing their films on OTT platforms, there were many who held their ground, especially debutants with big-screen dreams. From star-kids to television actors wanting to storm the screens to ADs and cinematographers donning the director’s hat for the first time--these debutants waited their turn under the spotlight and are now not only tasked with the challenge of capturing the sensibilities of their ever-changing audience but will have to do so with big-budgets, and even bigger banners, riding on their shoulders.
We don’t know what 2021 has in store for us yet, but the movies on the list are the silver lining to what can only be termed as the pandemic’s grey clouds.
From Ahan Shetty to Manushi Chillar, Diya Ghosh to Gowtam Tinnanuri here's a look at all the new faces waiting their turn to shine
Ahan Shetty - 'Tadap'
Following in dad Suniel Shetty's footsteps, Ahan Shetty is getting ready to take over the big screen with director Milan Luthria's 'Tadap'. The film that is a remake of the 2018 Telugu romantic drama 'RX 100' will see the hunk make his debut opposite 'Student Of The Year 2' actress Tara Sutaria.
While he has been waiting in the wings and letting his work do all the talking, proud dad Suniel couldn't help but spill the deets in a conversation with ETimes. “I think I am the one who cared till the time he was in the right hands. I was very clear and Ahan was very clear that his dream would be a Sajid Nadiadwala production. Because he not only held my hands when I first started but I also saw the way he held Tiger Shroff’s hand. A mentor is the one who believes that even if his child falls the first time he will hold him and that is what Sajid Nadiadwala is," Shetty Sr said. "If Ahan works hard and luck is on his side, nothing can stop him,” he concluded. We concur.
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Manushi Chillar - 'Prithviraj'
Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar, who had bagged the title of Miss India earlier in the same year, has always had her sights set on Bollywood. The beauty queen, who has reveled under the spotlight ever since her victory, got her shot at stardom with the period drama 'Prithviraj', starring Akshay Kumar in the titular role. While Akki will play the warrior king Prithviraj Chauhan, Manushi will play his lover Sanyogita.
Manushi kicked off her shoot with a song and an elaborate dance sequence. Sharing her experience on the sets, she said in a statement, “I loved the experience of shooting my first ever song and it will be forever memorable. It was a huge learning experience for me to go through the drill of preparing, rehearsing, and shooting my first song. I was definitely overwhelmed since it was the first time I was doing this and it's a big song but as a person, I do like to keep my eye on the prize and I think the shoot went off well."
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The historical drama, directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, was initially slated for a Diwali 2020 release but had to be delayed owing to the pandemic.
Shanaya Kapoor
Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of actor Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor, has had all eyes on her since she went public about her Bollywood dreams. Rumours ran wild that the young star-kid might just get her big break in a Karan Johar production after she called him the "most amazing director". Expressing her eagerness to work under the guidance of KJo, she even went on to state that should the day ever come, she will get emotional and even die out of excitement. Shanaya said in a statement to IANS, "I don't think any actor would say no. He is family. He is talented and the most amazing director. I think I would start crying if Karan ever directs me. I would get emotional and just die."
Shanaya was expected to get her big Bollywood break in 2020, but like everything else, "It has been delayed by the ongoing pandemic," dad Sanjay said in a statement to ZoomDigital.
Lakshya - 'Dostana 2'
Unlike the others on this list, Lakshya is no stranger to the entertainment industry. The hunk, who had made a name for himself as a TV soap star, is now getting ready for his big-screen debut with 'Dostana 2', helmed by debutant director Collin D'Cunha. From playing Porus in an epic television series to playing the guy-next-door now, this young lad hopes to carve a niche for himself in the industry. He will have Janhvi Kapoor and Kartik Aaryan for the company in his big Bollywood debut.
Rinzing Denzongpa - 'Squad'
Rinzing Denzongpa, son of veteran actor Danny Denzongpa, will make his Bollywood debut as an action star in the upcoming film 'Squad'. The aspiring star went all out to make sure everyone sits up and takes note of his debut act. Besides undergoing a major physical transformation, he has also been throwing himself into action mode and performing all of his stunts. Rinzing has been cast opposite Malvika, niece of veteran actress Anita Raaj.
Diya Ghosh-'Bob Biswas'
Diya Ghosh, daughter of filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh, will be making her Bollywood directorial debut in 2021 with the Abhishek Bachchan fronted 'Bob Biswas'. All eyes will be trained on this young lady as she makes a debut by carrying forward a story of a character, created by her father. The upcoming film is touted to take the viewers into the mind and life of the contract killer, who captured the imagination of the audience when he first appeared in the superhit thriller 'Kahaani', starring Vidya Balan.
Kapil Verma-'Om: The Battle Within'
Action director Tinu Verma's son, Kapil Verma will be inducted to the film industry with the Aditya Roy Kapur-starrer, 'Om: The Battle Within'. Kapil, who established himself as a director of photography and mastered his craft for over 25 years, will now helm his first full-length feature film. This big break comes after years of working behind the scenes on films like 'Ra.One', 'A Wednesday', 'Fan', 'Baaghi 3', 'Housefull 4', 'Thugs Of Hindostan', 'Race 3', 'Kabir Singh', among many other films.
'Om: The Battle Within', which will also see Sanjana Sanghi in the lead, went on floors in December 2020. The film is expected to release later this year.
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The year ahead will also see actors and filmmakers from various regional cinema, cutting through the clutter and trying to bring a different flavour to Bollywood. These seasoned stars, who have been keeping the audience down South entertained through the years, will now bring their distinct brand of entertainment, action, and quirks to the Hindi audience.
Rashmika Mandanna-'Mission Majnu'
Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who has established herself in the Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada film industries, now has her sights set on Bollywood. The actress will make her Hindi debut opposite Sidharth Malhotra in 'Mission Majnu'. The espionage thriller, set in the 1970s, is reportedly inspired by true events and will be directed by Shantanu Bagchi.
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Meanwhile, rumours are doing the rounds that the actress has bagged another Bollywood film starring megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
Vishnuvardhan-'Shershaah'
Director Vishnuvardhan, renowned for making Tamil films like 'Billa', 'Arrambam', 'Sarvam', and 'Pattiyal', will foray into Bollywood with his first Hindi directorial - 'Shershaah'. The star director has a lot to look forward to in 2021, especially because his Sidharth Malhotra-led film is expected to finally hit screens later this year. The film, based on the story of Kargil hero Vikram Batra, was initially scheduled for a release on July 3, 2020. However, owing to the lockdown and temporary closure of cinema halls in the country, the film's release was deferred.
Gowtam Tinnanuri-'Jersey'
Director Gowtam Tinnanuri, who helmed the hugely successful Telugu film 'Jersey', will now try to woo the Hindi audience with the upcoming remake starring Shahid Kapoor in the lead. The film, which was in the making for exactly a year, finally wrapped up in December and the team marked the momentous day with a wrap party. With several other films also eyeing a release in 2021, it remains to be seen when the team will present the sports flick on the big screen.
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Besides the aforementioned names, fresh new talents include Mithun Chakraborty's son Namashi, Hrithik Roshan's niece Pashmina Roshan, Sharvari, and Pranitha Subhash among others. Kaashvie Nair will also make her Bollywood directorial debut this year with a yet-untitled romantic entertainer starring Arjun Kapoor and Rakul Preet.
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