Class of 2014: most promising debuts

Every year brings with it the promise and the excitement of new films and new faces in Bollywood 2014 will see several new actors. Coincidentally, all of them have a famous relative already in the industry. We take a look.

Every year in Bollywood brings with it the promise and the excitement of new films and new faces. The year past saw the Khans — Aamir, Salman, Shah Rukh — going strong, even in their late forties, though new talent — the likes of Sushant Singh Rajput — came to the fore. The year present, 2014, will see several new actors. Coincidentally, all of them have a famous relative already in the industry. We take a look.

Tiger Shroff, 21
Star connect: Jackie Shroff (father)
Debut: Heropanti
He is all of 21, and looking to make it big in Bollywood. According to some, he’s also one of the most promising newcomers in Bollywood. Here, he talks about the pressure of being a star kid (he’s Jackie Shroff’s son), on nerves and excitement.

Isabella Kaif, 24
Star connect: Katrina Kaif (sister)
Debut: Dr Cabbie
Before venturing into films, Isabella studied acting at the famous Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York (incidentally, Katrina’s alleged boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, also studied at the same institute). Now, she will venture into films with an Indo-Canadian co-production, Dr Cabbie, that is co-produced by Salman Khan. The film also stars Kunal Nayyar of the Big Bang Theory fame.

Bilal Amrohi, 28
Star connect: Late Kamaal Amrohi (grandfather)
Debut:
The political thriller has been produced by Salman Khan’s brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri. Apparently, Salman has always shared a good relationship with the Amrohi family and is believed to be fond of Bilal — son of Taajdaar and Neelu Amrohi. In the film, Salman is touted to do a cameo, which is yet to be shot. The film also stars Pulkit Samrat.

Harshvardhan Kapoor, 21
Star connect: Anil Kapoor (father), Sonam Kapoor (sister)
Debut: Mirza Sahiba
The 21-year-old studied screenplay-writing and acting in the US. And this year will see him moving in front of the camera with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s next. He has worked as an assistant to Anurag Kashyap on the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Bombay Velvet (unreleased). Veteran writer-lyricist Gulzar is working on the screenplay of Mirza Sahiba, a musical based on a Rajasthani folk tale.

Armaan Jain, 22
Star connect: Raj Kapoor (maternal grandfather)
Debut: Yet-untitled film
Armaan, son of Reema Jain (Rishi and Randhir Kapoor’s sister), will make his debut in a Saif Ali Khan production. The film, to be directed by Imtiaz Ali’s brother, Arif, will see south actor Deeksha Seth opposite the newbie. Armaan, in the past, has assisted Karan Johar on My Name Is Khan (2010), and was also an assistant director on Shakun Batra’s Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012) that starred cousin Kareena.

, 19
Star connect: Suniel Shetty (father)
Debut: Yet-untitled film
Athiya, fresh from her filmmaking and liberal arts course at the New York Film Academy, is set to be Sooraj Pancholi’s leading lady in the Hero remake. She will reprise Meenakshi Sheshadri’s part.

Akshara Haasan, 22
Star connect: Kamal Haasan (father), Sarika (mother)
Debut: Yet-untitled film
Akshara’s elder sister, Shruti, is already an established name in Bollywood and Tamil films. Now, Akshara is set to make her big-screen Bollywood debut with R Balki’s next, that will also star Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush. Produced by Abhishek Bachchan, the film will see Dhanush as a mute person who aspires to become an actor.

, 22
Star connect: Aditya Pancholi (father), Zarina Wahab (mother)
Debut: Yet-untitled film
The 22-year-old started off as an assistant director on films such as Guzaarish (2010) and Ek Tha Tiger (2012). Last year, he was in the news — not for the best reasons — in connection to Jiah Khan’s suicide. Now, he is set to face the camera in the Salman Khan and Subhash Ghai-produced remake of Jackie Shroff-starrer, Hero (1983). The Nikhil Advani-directed film is set to go on floors in February.

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