We're a month and 14 days into the new year and already it looks like 2009 belongs to the newcomers. Some have made their debuts.. others are impatiently waiting in the wings. Rachana Dubey goes on a star trek with them.
The debutants of the last two years.. Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Asin, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Hurman Baweja.. along with other not-so-hyped newbies, have approximately Rs 100 crore riding on them.
Buzz is that the six mentioned are charging not less than a crore.. and this after the recent fee cuts. It's supposedly more for endorsements.
Several of these including Deepika, Mugdha, Asin and Anushka, are from the modelling world. But despite their success as cover girls, they have no intentions of going back to their earlier profession, full time.
Vipul Shah, who's signed Asin for London Dreams, says, "She's one of the big ticket debutants who'll scale new heights very soon. I signed her much before Ghajini released."
The lady herself is in no hurry despite being flooded with offers from top production houses. She says, "I will take on a project only after wrapping up London Dreams this month."
Fab four
Sonam Kapoor
Made her debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya (2007) opposite Ranbir Kapoor
Has recently signed Come on Pappu with Akshay Kumar
Our take: On the roll.
Director speak: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, whose Delhi 6 she will be seen in next, says, " I was screen-testing for Bittu when a friend suggested Sonam. Our initial discussion ran over seven hours. By then, she was already into the character. She's brilliant!"
Deepika Padukone
Made her debut with Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om (2007) opposite Shah Rukh Khan and was last seen in a double role in Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk To China.
Is working in Sajid Khan's Housefull and Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal.
Our take: Sure to go places.
Director speak: Siddharth Raj Anand, who directed her in Bachna Ae Haseeno, says, "I met her much before I had seen OSO. I wasn't sure if she could pull off the role of a fiercely independent woman. She did. I can be extremely rigid in the way I function but Deepika was willing to learn. She's very graceful and a brilliant dancer. She'll be a topper soon."
Asin
Made her Hindi movie debut in A R Murugadoss' Ghajini (2008) opposite Aamir Khan
Will be seen next in Vipul Shah's London Dreams with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan.
Our take: Rocking! Will be around for a long time.
Director speak: Vipul Shah says, "I'm amazed at the amount of hard work Asin puts into every scene. She's learns her moves, super fast.. gets her cues bang on. I think she's destined for the No 1 spot."
Mugdha Godse
Made her debut in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion (2008)
Is currently working in Madhur Bhandarkar's Jail
Our take: Needs polishing.
Director speak: Madhur Bhandarkar says, "She impressed my crew and me with her first shot. I hadn't expected a model to perform so beautifully. She did her homework well. I'm proud of her."
Fab four
Sonam Kapoor
Made her debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya (2007) opposite Ranbir Kapoor
Has recently signed Come on Pappu with Akshay Kumar
Our take: On the roll.
Director speak: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, whose Delhi 6 she will be seen in next, says, " I was screen-testing for Bittu when a friend suggested Sonam. Our initial discussion ran over seven hours. By then, she was already into the character. She's brilliant!"
Deepika Padukone
Made her debut with Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om (2007) opposite Shah Rukh Khan and was last seen in a double role in Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk To China.
Is working in Sajid Khan's Housefull and Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal.
Our take: Sure to go places.
Director speak: Siddharth Raj Anand, who directed her in Bachna Ae Haseeno, says, "I met her much before I had seen OSO. I wasn't sure if she could pull off the role of a fiercely independent woman. She did. I can be extremely rigid in the way I function but Deepika was willing to learn. She's very graceful and a brilliant dancer. She'll be a topper soon."
Asin
Made her Hindi movie debut in A R Murugadoss' Ghajini (2008) opposite Aamir Khan
Will be seen next in Vipul Shah's London Dreams with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan.
Our take: Rocking! Will be around for a long time.
Director speak: Vipul Shah says, "I'm amazed at the amount of hard work Asin puts into every scene. She's learns her moves, super fast.. gets her cues bang on. I think she's destined for the No 1 spot."
Mugdha Godse
Made her debut in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion (2008)
Is currently working in Madhur Bhandarkar's Jail
Our take: Needs polishing.
Director speak: Madhur Bhandarkar says, "She impressed my crew and me with her first shot. I hadn't expected a model to perform so beautifully. She did her homework well. I'm proud of her."
All cool boys.. ..as we like them
Ranbir Kapoor - Saawariya (2007)
Currently working in Wake Up Sid and Rajneeti
Farhan Akhtar - Rock On!! (2008)
Currently working in Don 2.. as a director and Amol Gupte's directorial debut
Imran Khan - Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa (2008)
Currently working in Luck and Delhi Belly
Rajneish Duggal- 1920 (2008)
Currently working in Phirr
Hurman Baweja - Love Story 2050 (2008)
Currently working in What's Your Rashee? and It's My Life
Sikander Kher - Woodstock Villa (2008)
Doesn't have a project on hand
Muzammil Ibrahim - Dhokha (2007)
Currently working on an untitled thriller