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Anushka Sharma and Shah Rukh Khan
Anushka Sharma and Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood  is traditionally a formulaic industry especially when  it comes to the newbies. Most newcomer actresses are either  models, beauty pageant queens or star kids, and ironically, not  actresses. When cast in their first movies, they  are often pitted opposite a fellow newcomer, or a much older Bollywood actor. Take for example Anushka Sharma, the current jewel in the Yash Raj crown, being cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan, who is 23 years older than her!

Male newcomers are often star kids cast in big budget films as the male romantic lead, like Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Na Pyar Hai, or even Rishi Kapoor in Bobby. Imran Khan’s debut in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na was launched by Aamir Khan’s production house, while Ranbir Kapoor’s debut in Saawariya was backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. So their debuts are in highly publicized films in prominent roles, showering them with lots of attention. But lately for male newcomers the old Bollywood formula is changing. Now male newcomers do not have to be star kids to get noticed. Even star kids are being launched in smaller, more interesting films and interestingly, non-romantic roles. Check out the current crop of rising  stars!

Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh
Ranveer Singh

Ranveer was virtually unknown. Rumour has it that his father paid his way into the industry, which Ranveer of course denies. His foray into Bollywood was as an assistant director, after which he  auditioned for Band Baaja Baaraat. His portrayal of a typical Delhi college boy was appreciated by critics but his career curve reminds me of a certain Vivek Oberoi, who the industry fell in love with after Company. Ranveer has to complete a three film contract with Yash Raj Studios, and hopefully his  follow-up effort will not join the ranks of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom as a Yash Raj flop.

Rajat Barmecha

Rajat Barmecha
Rajat Barmecha

Rajat turns 22 this year but has already made an impact in the industry after his debut in Udaan,  despite not being a star kid. I’m looking forward to seeing him cast as a student in his next film rather than some  forty-something actor trying desperately to play the part. One problem he may face is that the current crop of leading ladies in Bollywood look decades older than him, but I can see him potentially being paired opposite Prachi Desai.

Prateik Babbar

Prateik Babbar
Prateik Babbar

At last a star kid with Raj Babbar and Smita Patil as parents and siblings like Juhi & Arya Babbar who already have films under their belts. His arrival in Bollywood was not a surprise although his tiny debut as Genelia D’Souza’s brother in  Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na was rather unconventional. No big film launch, no romantic lead for Prateik. His follow-up film was Dhobi Ghat, a small scale artistic film where he played a dhobi. We’ll see him next in the big budget Dum Maro Dum.

Vivaan Shah

Vivaan Shah
Vivaan Shah

Son of Naseeruddin Shah, and made his debut in 7 Khoon Maaf, playing a doctor in awe of Priyanka Chopra. While Vivaan’s character is married in the film, his role is  hardly that of a romantic lead. By the way, his father is also in the movie, but 7 Khoon Maaf was  an interesting film to debut in, especially when it is  a character driven piece for Priyanka Chopra. Vivaan Shah is also rumoured  to be in Vishal Bhardwaj’s next feature film opposite Deepika Padukone, so, it seems he’s made quite an impression on Vishal.

What do you think Miss Malini readers, has Bollywood broken one of it’s old formulas, or is there a long way to go?

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