Taare screen par

Taare screen par

Mumbai:

They're the talk of the town. Reporters follow up every small story associated with the newcomer and the paparazzi go click click at every picture opportunity. Big interviews, lavish launch parties and then the night of the premiere. The verdict is out: she works, she doesn't. He's hot, he's cold.

It's a volatile industry for newcomers. And expectations are higher if the newcomer comes from vintage Bollywood wine. Deepika Padukone is an exception though she does have a celebrity father, former badminton player Prakash Padukone.

And her launch pad was a dream too Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om. Here's a look at star kids who debuted over the last two years to set off heat waves and cold waves. Really.

Ranbir Kapoor

Scale: Hot!
Debut: November 2007 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.
Status: One film down, two to go.

Lineage: Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's son. Also the great grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor, and grandson of actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor. His debut film opposite Sonam Kapoor failed to kick a** at the box-office but his acting was appreciated. He is dating actress Deepika Padukone.

Future projects: He is filming for Siddharth Anand's Bachna Ae Haseeno, expected to release on August 15, 2008, as well as Rajkumar Santoshi's Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani opposite Katrina Kaif.

Expertspeak: Film critic Khalid Mohamed says, "Ranbir is blue-blooded and shows the genes in his first film. He has the eyes, looks and the screen presence to appeal to the youth. He is right in the frontline." Trade analyst and critic Taran Adarsh says, "There is a lot of media hype around Ranbir. Sure he is a good actor and a good looker, but the films he features in should also work. After all, as we say in the industry, hit hai to fit hai."

Neil Nitin Mukesh

Scale: Hot!
Debut: 2007 with Johnny Gaddaar.
Status: One film down. Six to go.

Lineage: Son of Nitin Mukesh and grandson of legendary singer Mukesh. He shot to fame with the Sriram Raghavan-directed thriller Johnny Gaddaar. Neil made everyone take notice of his acting abilities. His good looks added to the charm. Three of his films are tentatively slated to release before this year-end.

Future projects: His next film is Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny (2008), Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion (2008), Jahangir Surti's Freeze (2008), Kabir Khan's next under the Yashraj banner (2009), Jail (2009) and Johnny Tokyo (2009).

Expertspeak: Khalid says, "Neil has been daring. He can do the off-beat, unconventional films and be easily moulded to suit the chocolate boy look or any other. He will be big."
Taran says, "Neil is a fantastic actor. I was especially impressed because he was cast against some really talented actors. And even though his film didn't do well, his talent wasn't unnoticed. Trade analyst Indu Mirani seconds Adarsh, "Neil performed brilliantly in his debut film. There were so many shades to his character and yet he showed confidence in himself to carry it through. He is definitely the next big star."

Sonam Kapoor

Scale: Lukewarm
Debut: November 2007 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.
Status: One film down, one to go.

Lineage: Actor Anil Kapoor's daughter and niece of producer Boney Kapoor. Before her acting career, Sonam assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali on his 2005 film Black. Some critics applauded her for her performance in Saawariya.

Future projects: Sonam will be seen in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Dilli 6 opposite Abhishek Bachchan.

Expertspeak: Indu feels, "Sonam was completely over-shadowed by Deepika Padukone. She has a good screen presence but she is a bit hesitant as an actor. However, she is sure to slowly come into her own. Trade analyst Komal Nahta says, "She was good in Saawariya but she is typical. She needs a good director."

Sikandar Kher

Scale: Promising
Debut: June 2008 Woodstock Villa.

Status: Two films down (the other one being Summer 2007 which released in June 2008), three more to go.

Lineage: Son of actor Kirron Kher and businessman Gautam Berry (they separated in 1985). Kirron then married actor Anupam Kher. Sikandar's two films bombed at the box-office. However, he can't quite be written off. He has assisted Yash Chopra on Dil Toh Pagal Hai and later Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Devdas. After learning acting at dad Anupam Kher's workshop, he joined the National School of Drama for six months.

Future project: Though he hasn't signed on any dotted lines, he doesn't divulge the names of future projects saying, 'I am superstitious'.

Expertspeak: Taran finds Sikandar a good actor. "But he needs a better filmmaker. Also, he will be able to carry off unconventional roles well."

Mimoh Chakraborty

Scale: Umm!
Debut: May 2008 Jimmy.
Status: One film down, one to go.

Lineage: Son of actors Mithun Chakraborty and Yogeeta Bali. Mimoh's real name is Mahakshay and to recap, Mimoh is short for Michael Jackson and Mohammad Ali! Jimmy flopped in cities but proved to be a semi-hit in small centres. Though a good dancer, his talent remains at that. Critics weren't too happy.
Future project: Suniel Shetty's Loot.

Expertspeak: Khalid feels that the film was so awful that even Laurence Olivier couldn't have saved the film. "But Mimoh has to be restyled. He isn't hardworking. He has to make it clear to the industry that he is serious, and get competitive." Komal says, "I think he is a good dancer but he needs to improve upon his dialogue delivery." But Indu simply says, "He needs a lot of work."

Neha Uberoi

Scale: Hmm...
Debut: Though she has acted in a south Indian film and did a role in 2007-released Dus Kahaaniyan (Lovedale segment), her first big film was Hansal Mehta-directed Woodstock Villa (June 2008).

Status: Two Hindi films down, two to go.

Lineage: Niece of director Sanjay Gupta, Neha signed Woodstock Villa first, but her second movie Dus Kahaaniyan released first. Her first step into filmdom was with a Tamil blockbuster called Balu ABCDEFG, directed by A Karunakaran.

Future projects: EMI, produced by Suniel Shetty's Popcorn Entertainment and Soham Shah's Luck.

Expertspeak: About Neha, Indu says, "Well, she is not much of an actor. Not a long term Bollywood lady as she borders on the fringes. Definitely not a leading lady for a film."

Amita Pathak

Scale: Cold
Debut: Anil Devgan-directed Haal-e-Dil (June 2008).
Status: One film down.

Lineage: Daughter of producer Kumar Mangat, Amita has assisted John Matthew Mathan in Shikhar and Vishal Bharadwaj in Omkara. Haal-e-Dil, her launch pad, bombed at the box-office. She has taken learning lessons from Kishore Namit Kapoor.
Future projects: Err can't say.

Expertspeak: Komal feels Amita is a good actor. "All she needs to do is shed some kilos," he adds.

Adhyayan Suman
Scale: Cold

Debut: Anil Devgan's Haal-e-Dil (June 2008).

Status: One film down, three to go.

Lineage: Son of Shekhar Suman. His debut film in Bollywood was Haal-e-dil directed by Anil Devgan and produced by Kumar Mangat. He has a two-year diploma in acting and direction from the London Branch of The New York Film Academy. He claims to have landed the role after a visit to a saloon which Ajay Devgan frequents.
Future projects: In 2008 Anjum Rizvi produced Fast Forward, Raaz 2 and Dewaana.
Expertspeak: Komal says Adhyayan is not too bad, but for now he will have to be satisfied doing multi-starrer films.

Harman Baweja

Scale: Good
Debut: Harry Baweja-directed Love Story 2050, which released last week.
Status: One film down, only just. Four to go.

Lineage: Son of director Harry Baweja and producer Pammi Baweja, his debut film was the talk of the town, as much for his film as his girlfriend and co-star Priyanka Chopra. Father Baweja went all out to launch his only son Harman with a Rs 60 crore project. Often compared to Hrithik Roshan for his looks and dance style, Harman recently did a live performance at an awards show in Bangkok.

Future projects: Victory (2008), It's My Life (2009), What's Your Raashee? (2009) and Chenab Gandhi (2009)

Expertspeak: When asked about Harman, Khalid said, "Harman?... Umm... Harman... oh... Harman? Okay bye, see you some time." But Adarsh was more vocal, "I think he should do well. I would place my bets on him," he says. Komal seconds. On the Priyanka Chopra-Harman link-up, he says, "It's just for the media to talk about but all that matters is whether the audience is getting value for money."

Imran Khan
Scale: Hot!

Debut: Abbas Tyrewala-directed Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, which released last week.
Status: One film down, obviously. Two to go.

Lineage: Nephew of Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan and grandson of Nasir Hussain, Imran made brief appearances as a child artiste. With his debut film, his uncle Aamir, the producer of the film, went all out to promote him, giving interviews, appearing on TV game shows and at events.

Future projects: Kidnap and Luck

Expertspeak: Taran feels Imran is a good actor and will do well in the future. Komal echoes this, saying, "He can do solo projects and carry the film on his shoulders."

Pratiek Babbar
Scale: Good

Debut: Abbas Tyrewala's Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.
Status: One film down.

Lineage: Son of Smita Patil and Raj Babbar, Pratiek was kept under wraps for his debut film so there were no interviews or publicity. But there's a lot of time for this 21-year-old to establish himself. Critics are applauding his talent.

Future projects: He doesn't want to talk about it. "I'm not allowed to talk but yeah, I will be doing more projects for sure."

Expertspeak: Khalid feels, "There seems to be a spark but if he is really serious about his acting career, he would have shown up in a better role." Taran says, "I liked Pratiek's performance. But whether or not he can shoulder lead roles has to be seen. I say that because in Jaane Tu the focus is fully on Imran Khan and Genelia D'Souza."