Meet the new stars of Bollywood.

They are hot. They are definitely happening. Yet somehow, Bollywood has still not accepted them as the 'hero'. They are more entertaining at times and the multiplex audiences are lining up to watch them. Here's a list of the rising alternate stars who have made it big in recent times and are growing with every passing day.

Purab Kohli

Purab became a teen icon with his popular soap Hip Hip Hurray on Zee TV and then Channel V happened. An immensely popular VJ, Purab moved to mainstream Bollywood in 2003.

First seen in: He made his debut with Bas Yun Hi and was later seen in the Uday Chopra - Nandita Das starrer Supari in the same year.

We loved him in: He did a lot of films which can be broadly termed as multiplex cinema. We loved him as Nigel D'Costa in My Brother Nikhil. But the movie which made everybody fall in love with this cute boy was Abhishek Kapoor's Rock On.

Arjun Rampal

After being quite a rage on the ramp, Rampal made his way to Bollywood. But did not quite make it till recently. Rock On! however changed it all!

First seen in: We first saw the actor in Rajiv Rai's Pyaar, Ishq Aur Mohabbat with Keerti Reddy, Suniel Shetty and Aftab Shivdasani. Though Arjun looked good as usual, the movie was so bad that even his Greek god looks failed to draw the audience to the theatres. In spite of the dismal beginning, Arjun won many offers and also the best male debut that year at IIFA.

We loved him in: He did a lot of movies since which were hardly noticed. But then, Om Shanti Om happened. Arjun Rampal was loved (or rather hated) for his depiction of Mukesh Mehra the baddie in Farah Khan's magnum opus. And those who did not admire the actor in this one, fell head over heels in love with him after Rock On. Arjun played the character of Joe, the lead guitarist of Magik and stole the film and a million hearts.

He's keeping his fingers crossed for: Arjun Rampal will be seen next in Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear. The movie which has been doing the rounds of International awards will be soon released in theatres in the country. The actor is also busy with Suniel Shetty's EMI with Malaika Arora Khan.

Shreyas Talpade

Being good looking has nothing to do with being a hero. And no one proves it better than Shreyas Talpade.

First seen in: He was doing Marathi soaps and stage shows till Nagesh Kukunoor launched him in Bollywood with Iqbal. For a very long time, the actor was known as 'the Iqbal actor' for his strong portrayal of the deaf and dumb boy who wanted to be a cricketer.

We loved him in: Iqbal. His first film was also the actor's most loved for sure. But then, as it happens with great performers, almost all his roles were so well portrayed, that it became tough for the audience to decide which one they loved more. His Behroopiya act in Dor was as good as his portrayal of Pappu Master in Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om.

He's keeping his fingers crossed for: The actor is now all set for his next film with Amrita Rao, Welcome to Sajjanpur, directed by Shyam Benegal. Shreyas will also be seen in Golmaal Returns and Paying Guest.

Kunal Kapoor

This Delhi born actor made his big Bollywood debut not as an actor but an assistant director for Rakeysh Mehra's Aks. But then MF Hussain spotted him.

First seen in: Artists are known for their affection towards all things beautiful. So when Hussain launched this 'beautiful' boy in his film Meenaxi: A Tale Of Three Cities opposite Tabu, people couldn't help but notice this actor who almost looked like a painting himself. But like other Hussain films (only one other actually), this too bombed at the box office and the boy almost went underground.

We loved him in: Kunal resurfaced with Rang De Basanti. Suddenly everybody sat up and noticed the cute boy from the chinamma song. The film was great and Kunal portraying the quiet friend Aslam won many hearts.

He's keeping his fingers crossed for: His latest was Bachna Ae Haseeno. His was a minuscule role. In almost a 'blink and I'm gone' role, the man made his mark. Kunal will be seen or rather heard next in an animated mythological film as the voice of Rama. He has also signed Parzania director Rahul Dholakia's next.

Arjan Bajwa

Another one on our list is Arjan Bajwa.

First seen in: This man made a perfectly nonsensical debut with something called Woh Tera Naam Tha in 2004.

We loved him in: Considering the fact that he did not do too many films so far, it's quite tough to decide which movie made Arjan a favourite with the audience. But the movie which made this man gain a lot of favour with the Bachchans was Mani Ratnam's Guru.

He's keeping his fingers crossed for: Arjan is all set to romance Priyanka in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion. And from there, we're sure, there won't be any looking back.

Sonu Sood

Another man very close to the Bachchans, almost a brother to Mrs Ash Rai Bachchan is Sonu Sood. Did you know that this man has been around for seven years now in the film industry? This ex Grasim Mr India contestant came to Bollywood with a lot of dreams and looks like finally those are being answered.

First seen in: Well, he did make his debut with something called Majnu in 2001. That one is better forgotten. Actually most of the films he did are better forgotten by the actor himself as well as the audience like Divorce: Not Between Husband And Wife, Sheesha and the likes.

We loved him in: We can't say about love but the actor was noticed (in a good light) for the first time in Mani Ratnam's Yuva. And then Jodhaa Akbar happened. Playing Jodhaa's brother Sujamal in the Ash-Hrithik starrer, this man has come to be in the mainstream league of supportive actors.

He's keeping his fingers crossed for: He will be seen next in Rajshri's Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi with Eesha Koppikhar and City Of Life.

Randeep Hooda

Best known as Sushmita Sen's ex, people did not really know he was an actor for a very long time...

First seen in: His first film was Monsoon Wedding. We hear he was cast more for his Australian accent than his yet-undiscovered acting capabilities in the film. And though the movie was critically acclaimed, Randeep went more or less unnoticed.

We loved him in: Ram Gopal Varma relaunched him in his gangster film D. This was a major turning point in his career. He finally came to be known as Randeep Hooda and not just Sush's friend.

He's keeping his fingers crossed for: His forthcoming film Ru Ba Ru with Shahana Goswami is all set to release on September 12, 2008. His forthcoming films include Karma, Confessions and Holi and Kushar Prasad Ka Bhoot.

Ranvir Shorey and Vinay Pathak

VJs turned actors, Ranvir and Vinay were best known for their show Ranvir, Vinay Aur Kaun?

First seen in: Ranvir made his debut with the immensely controversial film Ek Chhoti Si Love Story in which he played Manisha Koirala's boyfriend. Friend Vinay's debut flick by the way, was no less controversial. He played a small role of the guide in Deepa Mehta's Fire. Though theatres were burnt, this film was critically acclaimed and Vinay got instant recognition as opposed to Ranvir who got nothing.

We loved them in: Funnily enough, though Vinay did a lot more movies than Ranvir, some of which were really good, the films which made us love Vinay were also those which made us love Ranvir - Khosla Ka Ghosla and Aaja Nachle.

They have their fingers crossed for: Ranvir will be seen next in the Akshay Kumar- Deepika starrer Chandni Chowk to China. Vinay will be seen next in Yash Raj's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Sharman Joshi

Sharman has been around since 1999. But for a very long time he was only known as the 'Style actor'.

First seen in: Many might not even remember, but Sharman was first seen in Godmother. The first film where he actually got noticed, was however Style. The movie however dismal, did effectively launch Joshi in Bollywood.

We loved him in: Years later, Sharman tasted success with Rang De Basanti. Sharman performed extraordinarily well as the cowardly-yet-loving and immensely lovable Sukhi in the film. Then Metro happened and this made us appreciate Sharman as a serious actor.

He's keeping his fingers crossed for: He will be seen next in Hello, an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's One Night @ The Call Centre and 3 Idiots, another adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's Five Point Someone.

Rajat Kapoor

Nowhere close to being a hero, Rajat Kapoor won the audience with his performances as a character artiste time and time again.

First seen in: Dil Chahta Hai was Kapoor's first film. As Preity Zinta's uncle, Rajat Kapoor made us fall in love with him. And later, in the same year, he made us hate him with his performance in Monsoon Wedding as the paedophilic Tej Puri. That's how versatile the actor really is.

We loved him in: His first film Dil Chahta Hai made us love the man. And in his second, we hated him. And again in Bheja Fry, years later, he won us over with his peformance.

He's keeping his fingers crossed for: He was last seen in the Imran Khan starrer Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and is keeping his fingers crossed for Raat Gayi Baat Gayi.

For me kunal , sonu and shreyas are definetly on the way up...kunal has already done a great job in his movies and is too cute, and sonu has prem role come up that will be a big chance for him.

for me all r good except randeep Hooda. this is because i havent seen any movie of his.

THANKS THEY ALL R GREAT ACTOR ONE DAY THEY PROVED THEMSELVES

Rajat sees himself more as a director, and I think that is where his strengths lie. Ranvir and Vinay I love as well as Shreyas (so underappreciated it kills me). Sharman I like, but I want to see him in a stronger role before I like him alot. Arjun rocked in Rock On and really put the whole wooden actor thing to rest. Purbi has been around for awhile so it is good that he is getting recognized.