Who's leading the newbies!
Here's taking stock of last year's debutants and check out who's racing ahead
Aakanksha Naval-Shetye
Last year clearly belonged to the newcomers. As many as 20 newbies made their big screen debut, of which more than half became instant hits too. But was their first hit merely a flash-in-the-pan or are they set to cement their names in the top rungs? Here we take stock of what the newcomers have up their sleeve this year and get brand and trade experts to line up the top four in both the girls and the guys!
Young, but not reckless!
Trade analyst Vajir Singh opines that this generation is extremely practical and more level-headed than the previous ones. "The kind of choices they are making show that they are not seeking shortcuts. If you see their films in hand this year, it's a far cry from the stuff they made their debuts with, so they are avoiding the stereotyping. I think they are being smart in their choices and practical in their approach." Bolly history has witnessed in the past how some of the newbies made a super successful debut only to follow it up with duds. Vajir adds, "Some who have a solid backing survive that but these new kids don't seem to take any chances."
Trade analyst Komal Nahta agrees. "What's important besides the kind of roles they are going for is their disciplined ways. They are a focussed lot, very clear in their goals and the paths they want to charter. They are all a very hardworking, promising bunch that I could safely bet on."
Brand talk
They are proving to be quite a hit on the endorsement markets too and are being lapped up as faces for big players. Komal says, "This too helps raise their market viability and boosts their equity, besides being proof of their star power, even if only in nascent stages."
Their pick
Among boys it would have to be Varun Dhawan, Siddharth Malhotra, Ayushmann Khurana and Arjun Kapoor. They say, it's a close tie between them and only time will say who takes the lead. Since most of their films are just about to go on floors except Ayushmann's who had a recent release, it's too early to judge who'll emerge tops among them. When it comes to brands, Varun and Sid take the lead. Going by their performances and popularity, it would be safe to name these four.
Among girls, Alia is way ahead than most in both films and brands. The other three who make the cut are Ileana D'Cruz, Sunny Leone and Huma Qureshi. Esha Gupta and Yaami Gautam are also names we can look out for provided they follow up with really strong films. Though in this list, Huma seems more cut out for middle of the road cinema, while Esha is more commercial in comparison.
Aakanksha Naval-Shetye
Varun Dhawan
Debut: Student of the Year
Plus: Good package overall and very popular among girls.
Trade speak: Varun has a strong youth connect. Despite the Dhawan tag, he is choosing his films wisely, not taking the easymassy route out. He's definitely here for the long run.
Films in hand: Ekta Kapoor's Tu Mera Hero directed by David Dhawan
Brands: Idee, Coke, Nestle (International)
Sunny Leone
Debut: Jism 2
Plus: Her adult film background
Trade speak: She seems cut out for the kind of roles she has chosen for herself and should be a fair performer though very limited in variation. Will work as long as she does what she knows best, but not the best suited for talent-based 'performance' oriented films yet.
Films in hand: Shootout at Wadala (special number) and Ragini MMS 2
Brands: XXX
Arjun Kapoor
Debut: Ishaqzaade
Plus: Good films in hand.
Trade speak: He needs a little polishing but he has promise. His film background definitely is an added. The raw appeal is his strength and he's playing up on it in most of his films.
Films in hand: YRF's Aurangzeb, Gunday, Two States, Boney Kapoor's Okkudu remake
Prithviraj
Debut: Aiyya
Films in hand: Aurangzeb, Happy New Year
Alia Bhatt
Debut: Student of the Year
Plus: Very cute and huge fan following among teenagers.
Trade speak: She's made a flying start and that's already catapulted her way ahead than most others in the league. Her fresh looks, youth connect, film family all work in her favour. Also the two films in hand are by solid directors, who can be banked on.
Films in hand: Imtiaz Ali's Highway and Karan Johar-Sajid Nadiadwala's Two States
Brands: Idee, Coke, Nestle (International)
Pulkit Samrat
Debut: Bittoo Boss
Films in hand: Fukrey
Trade speak: While Pulkit is a popular TV face, Prithvi is a star down South. Unfortunately, both did not have the most impressive start though they both got noticed. However, both are talented, and it may only be a matter of taking on the right projects that will work at the box office.
Siddharth Malhotra
Debut: Student of the Year
Plus: Good looks, popular among kids
Trade speak: From a college caper, he's gone on to a romcom and then action. So he's avoiding falling into the image trap. Plus having a successful start is working in his favour.
Films in hand: Karan Johar's Hasee to Phasee, The Villain and Remo D'souza's untitled film by Dharma.
Brands: Idee, Coke, Kwalitty Walls
Ileana D'Cruz
Debut: Barfi
Plus: Proved that she's a sensitive performer with first hit
Trade speak: That she's a known star in South is an added for Ileana and her experience works in her favour. After Barfi, she's gone in for a masala film which is interesting and puts her in a more commercial space here.
Films in hand: Rajkumar Santoshi's Phata Poster Nikla Hero
Brands: Soon to announce
Amy Jackson
Debut: Ek Deewana Tha
Films in hand: Yevadu, I (South), in talks for 2 Hindi films.
Brands: Yardley, Flying Machine, and a hair care brand
Trade speak: While Diana's Cocktail got her noticed, Amy made more news for her real love story with Prateik than their reel chemistry. Both ended on not so good a note for Amy, but luckily she has a successful South career to bank on. Diana well, she needs to buck up soon.
Yaami Gautam
Debut: Vicky Donor
Plus: Beautiful
Trade speak: She made an impressive start, but we can't say that overnight she has become a star. At the same time, she's not just any other face and hopefully with the right films she will prove her mettle too. Not herself limiting to Bollywood and exploring options in South is a good move for her.
Films in hand: Gauravam, Courier Boy Kalyan (South) Aman Ki Asha with Ali Zafar
Brands: Cornetto, Fair And Lovely, Chevrolet Beat, Nazraana (diamond brand)
Esha Gupta
Debut: Jannat 2
Plus: Fits well in commercial set up
Trade speak: She had two very successful hits last year, giving her an upperhand. The audience accepted her in the commercial roles and she should try sticking to that.
Films in hand: Yet to be announced film, Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (special song)
Brands: Maybelline
Diana
Penty
Debut: Cocktail
Films in hand: In talks for a Hindi film
Brands: Maybelline, a hair care brand
Ayushmann Khurana
Debut: Vicky Donor
Plus: Brilliant performer and very camera-friendly
Trade speak: Ayushmann's a natural on the camera and people find an instant connect to his easy going personality. He is very relatable and that's an added. He too has chosen films that enhance that rather than try herogiri.
Films in hand: Nautanki Saala, YRF untitled film by Nupur Asthana opposite Sonam Kapoor, Shoojit Sircar's Hamara Bajaj
Huma Qureshi
Debut: Gangs of Wasseypur
Plus: Fits the middle-of-the-road cinema path
Trade speak: Not a crowd-puller, but multiplex audience will appreciate a good performer in her. She's been quick to take on some interesting films.
Films in hand: Ek Thi Daayan, D-Day, Dedh Ishqiya
Source: DNA
0