The year when more than a dozen newcomers made their bollywood debut

JackSparrowcraz thumbnail
Anniversary 7 Thumbnail Group Promotion 5 Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 7 years ago
#1
1991: 25 years of Urmilla,Akshay,Ajay,Manisha,Raveena,Karishma

1991.

The year Sanjay Dutt hit big league with blockbusters like Sadak and Saajan.

The year Amitabh Bachchan's lippy request to Jumma in Hum caught the fancy of the entire nation.

The year Anil Kapoor raised eyebrows by falling for both a mother and her daughter in Lamhe.

And the year more than a dozen newcomers made their debut on silver screen.

On the 25th anniversary of these events, we look back at the class of 1991 and how they've fared since.


Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar

IMAGE: Akshay Kumar in Saugandh

From doing menial jobs in a Bangkok restaurant to Bollywood A-lister, Akshay Kumar's success story has inspiring' written all over it. When he first appeared onscreen in the forgettable Saugandh, he was instantly dismissed as wooden.

Nonetheless, his good looks and karate expertise fetched him work in B-grade fare until he scored a hit in Khiladi. Fortune and the title stuck to him for good.

Over the years and several money-spinners, AK has created a fan base outside the action genre through fizzy comedies and hard-hitting drama as well as broadened his horizons as producer.


Karisma Kapoor

Karisma Kapoor

IMAGE: Karisma Kapoor in Prem Qaidi

When the blue-eyed Karisma made her entry in movies, it was a big deal because of the Kapoor surname.

Still the teenager ignored the criticism following her at every single step, everything from her choice of debut in Prem Qaidi to bushy eyebrows to swimsuit spectacle became the butt of ridicule, and stayed focused on her work.

Despite her incredible success ratio and superhit pairing with Govinda, it wasn't until her reinvention in Raja Hindustani that Karisma would be recognized as the chip of the old block.

In 2003, she retired from films to marry Delhi-based businessman Sanjay Kapoor and raise two kids, Samaira and Kiaan Raj.

A failed comeback (Dangerous Ishhq) and impending divorce later, Karisma continues to be in public eye for her various endorsements.


Raveena Tandon

Raveena Tandon

IMAGE: Raveena Tandon in Patthar Ke Phool

One of the most stunning faces to hit the screen in the 1990s, Raveena Tandon won over the audience with her natural style and masti. The hoop earrings she wore in her first film Patthar Ke Phool became hugely popular.

Too bad the movie flopped despite the presence of Maine Pyar Kiya heartthrob Salman Khan, as did most of her subsequent movies branding her a jinx.

Breakthrough came in the form of hits like Dilwale and Mohra. The mast mast girl never looked back even if it was her romance with co-star Akshay Kumar that got more attention.

After they broke up, Raveena got her act together in the trendsetting item song appearance, Shaher Ki Ladki.

The actress graduated to serious roles in films like Satta and Daman, the latter even fetching her the coveted National Award before tying the knot to distributor Anil Thadani in a fairy tale ceremony.

When not dabbling in television as jury or chat host, the hands-on mommy is not averse to doing a movie role provided they're a little more lengthier than her blink-and-miss appearance in Bombay Velvet.


Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn

IMAGE: Ajay Devgn in Phool Aur Kaante

One look at his daredevil introduction in Phool Aur Kaante, balancing his feet above two racing bikes, was solid enough indication of things to come.

Action director Veeru Devgan's son, Vishal -- rechristened as Ajay -- made a mark in dangerous stunts but his intensity underscored his histrionic capabilities time and again.

Devgn's achievements include two National awards for a body of work high on persuasive portrayals in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Zakhm, Company, Omkara, Gangaajal and Lajja.

Not to mention a flurry of hit Rohit Shetty comedies representing Devgn's lighter side.

Right now we are most keen to see his ambitious second attempt at direction: Shivaay.


Manisha Koirala

Manisha Koirala

IMAGE: Manisha Koirala in Saudagar

Subhash Ghai's discovery Manisha Koirala made everyone sit up and take notice of her exquisite beauty and delicate screen presence in Saudagar, a film devoted to Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar's dramatic conflict.

While her colleagues looked content doing ornamental parts, the Nepali beauty's fame spread with every author-backed role she signed up for -- 1942: A Love Story, Khamoshi, Bombay, Dil Se... and Agnisakshi.

A failed marriage to Nepali businessman Samrat Dahal and battle with cancer didn't break this survivor who continues to inspire through her humanitarian work and grace.

The 45-year-old is currently working on a movie called Dear Maya.

 

Urmila Matondkar

Urmila Matondkar

IMAGE: Urmila Matondkar in Narsimha

An early starter, Urmila Matondkar endeared as the little darling in Kalyug and Masoom. Her child actor innings extended to her teen years in bits and parts before making an adult debut as a full-fledged heroine in N Chandra's Narsimha.

Of course, it was her sizzling makeover in Ram Gopal Varma's Rangeela that did the trick and inspired scores of wannabe starlets to follow suit.

Urmila's glamorous run continued for a while even as she explored her potential in darker, grittier roles. The actress recently tied the knot to model-cum-businessman Mohsin Akhtar Mir.


Ayesha Jhulka

Ayesha Jhulka

IMAGE: Ayesha Jhulka and Salman Khan in Kurbaan

Ayesha Jhulka showed promise in Khiladi and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar before retiring from movies to marry and run a spa salon.

Edited by JackSparrowcraz - 7 years ago

Created

Last reply

Replies

25

Views

4134

Users

12

Likes

18

Frequent Posters

nazban thumbnail
Anniversary 13 Thumbnail Group Promotion 3 Thumbnail Visit Streak 30 0 Thumbnail
Posted: 7 years ago
#2
Raveena and Urmila had immense potential. They have done good work but always felt they deserved more.
-Piku- thumbnail
Anniversary 10 Thumbnail Group Promotion 6 Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 7 years ago
#3
Akshay <3
Urmila was a powerhouse and pretty as well. 
JustMySelf thumbnail
Anniversary 11 Thumbnail Group Promotion 5 Thumbnail
Posted: 7 years ago
#4
tfs never knew these guys debuted together  😲

wow  karishma looks so different  n akki too 😲
Edited by JustMySelf - 7 years ago
Ranbirrocks thumbnail
Anniversary 16 Thumbnail Group Promotion 7 Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 7 years ago
#5
That's my generation of stars. Grew up watching them. They all have seen good success . I wish Urmila was more successful, her talent isn't fully utilised.
JackSparrowcraz thumbnail
Anniversary 7 Thumbnail Group Promotion 5 Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 7 years ago
#6

Originally posted by: JustMySelf

tfs never knew these guys debuted together  😲

wow  karishma looks so different  n akki too 😲

That year had the most number of debutants.More than 12.Karishma was 16 then.
JustMySelf thumbnail
Anniversary 11 Thumbnail Group Promotion 5 Thumbnail
Posted: 7 years ago
#7

Originally posted by: JackSparrowcraz

That year had the most number of debutants.More than 12.Karishma was 16 then.



i see.thank u for sharing.
has AD done any surgery?
he looks bit different than what we see
him now.i cnt understand what exactly
bt he is different.could be the nose or is it his lips?πŸ˜•
or may be he was just young then n now more older
fuller in the jaws..dnt know bt he looks different too.
akki had lot hairs then it seems..bt now its thinner.


bokul thumbnail
Anniversary 11 Thumbnail Group Promotion 9 Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 7 years ago
#8
The ladies looked so beautiful 
Resident_Evil thumbnail
Anniversary 11 Thumbnail Group Promotion 5 Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 7 years ago
#9
Barring Raveena, the year gave the industry great actors and stars. Raveena is the only actress in the history of Indian cinema who got a National award even though she was (and is) a pathetic actress. 

Oh and Urmila got married? πŸ˜² And to this chooza? Agar kisi bachay say shaadi karni thi tu issay behtar tha mujhesay hi shaadi kar leti. πŸ˜­ I am younger than her husband. 
cougarTown thumbnail
Visit Streak 180 0 Thumbnail Anniversary 9 Thumbnail + 5
Posted: 7 years ago
#10
baring akshay and ajay..the rest are all no-bodies now as if they never existed..this industry forgets real fast