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Actors that will shine in 2010
When he decided to take the road less travelled, cynics dismissed him as a risk taker. But in fact, Abhay Deol has planned his career with almost clinical precision.
Actors: Abhay Deol, Prateik
When he decided to take the road less travelled, cynics dismissed him as a risk taker. But in fact, Abhay Deol has planned his career with almost clinical precision. And with stirring performances in off-beat films like Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Manorama Six Feet Under, Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye and the latest, Dev D, Abhay has proved his point.
“I never wanted to follow the route that others had followed. So I didn’t,” Abhay said in an earlier interview. “But yes, it was difficult. Especially because I come from a family which has high achievers in the industry,” he said.
As the son of Dharmendra’s younger brother, Abhay had to make sure that he carved a niche for himself in an industry where his uncle and older cousins (Sunny and Bobby) were already well established. Abhay’s now doing Aisha with Sonam and his own home production, Basra, about human trafficking. An actor to watch out for – and an actor to watch!
The dark horse
His brooding, dark good looks and equally restrained performance in his debut film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na made the audience sit up and take notice of Prateik, the talented son of Hindi cinema’s legendary actress, the late Smita Patil and her actor-turned-politician husband Raj Babbar.
Unlike other star kids, Prateik didn’t really get a big launch pad. But he says he couldn’t care less. “I don’t bother about all this. I’m sure my work will speak for me and the concerned people will recognise my work,” he said in an earlier interview.
And he’s right. Filmmakers call him a dark horse and are ready to bet their money on him. “There is a mystery about this boy and everybody wants to understand that mystery. At least I do,” says filmmaker Raj K Gupta, who made the critically acclaimed Aamir.
‘Mysterious’ Prateik will next be seen in Aamir Khan’s wife Kiran Rao’s directorial debut Dhobi Ghat.
Actress: Sonam Kapoor
Star by chance
It’s surprising but very flattering to know that in spite of both my films – Saawariya and Delhi 6 – not doing well, people still think that I can be ‘The Next Big Thing’,” laughs Sonam Kapoor. “But on a serious note, it’s very humbling. Though those films didn’t work, my performances were appreciated and I can’t be anything but thankful.”
Sonam credits it all to good luck. Acting was never a priority, she claims. “I just got into it for fun. And it has actually remained that way. It was sheer chance that I got the opportunity to work with directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rakeysh Mehra. They presented me so beautifully in their films,” she says.
It isn’t just her engaging screen presence that’s helping Sonam get such good reports. She’s also being hailed as the next ‘It’ girl of Bollywood for her style quotient and attitude. That too, she claims, is by chance. “Honestly, I don’t put any effort into dressing up. I think I am comfortable in my own skin and that comes across. I like wearing nice clothes, but don’t think too much about them. I mix and match and wear what suits me,’ she says.
With two new films – Aisha (a remake of Jane Austen’s Emma) and I Hate Love Stories – nearly ready for release, Sonam is keeping her fingers crossed. “I hope I do justice to my roles. As dad keeps saying, I have a lot to prove. I hope I live up to all the expectations,” she smiles.
Our judges
Raj K Gupta Director
Ranbir Kapoor: Understands scripts. Is a hope for new filmmakers
Rajeev Khandelwal: Hardworking, sincere and star material
Prateik: Intense good looks, a dark horse
Sonam: Lots of spunk
Some new NRI girl!
Any newcomer who makes her debut
opposite SRK
Kunal Deshmukh, Director
Abhay Deol: Has planned his career very organically and meticulously
Emraan Hashmi: We’ll see him in a new avatar in some of his new films
Prateik: Dark horse. I’d like to see more of him
Sonam: Gorgeous.
Doesn’t matter if the film’s a hit or not, she makes a difference. Style icon. The ‘It’ girl
Genelia: Very bubbly. One more hit and she’ll be right on top
Dibakar Banerjee, Director
Abhay Deol: He is
completely self made
Amol Gupte: Very
talented and refreshing
Sonam: A powerhouse of talent
Katrina: She’s making an effort to reinvent herself
