Class of bollywood

The past three years have seen a rash of Bollywood debutants graduating from B-Town College. Sunday MiD DAY draws up their report card

Ranbir Kapoor

Class topper/ Valedictorian

From his batch, he can boast of the best Bollywood lineage. However, his famous last name is not the only reason that he comes out with flying colours; he has great talent to back the hoopla around him.
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Pass: Bachna Ae Haseeno (just about average), Wake Up Sid, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani

Fail: Saawariyau00a0

Distinction: As Siddharth Mehra in the coming of age film Wake Up Sid and the hilarious Prem in monster hit Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.

Post graduation: Next up, Ranbir stars in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, the political drama Rajneeti and Siddharth Raj Anand's Anjaana Anjaani. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says Ranbir's box office potential is shining bright. "Ajabu2026 is a hit and that automatically takes him to the top bracket. People have also liked his performance so that makes his case stronger. There is a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, but he will be in the top six actors."

Viva: In his interviews, Ranbir gives out a certain maturity that not many of his peers can pull off. While this doesn't strictly make him boring, he lacks irreverence. He needs to loosen up and let the quotes fly.u00a0

Prom date: Recently split from fellow batch mate and high school sweetheart Deepika Padukone. Ranbir might not really be on the market as he's rumoured to have jumped into a relationship with a certain senior who is still involved with a professor.

Most likely to: Rule Bollywood.u00a0



Deepika Padukone

Class divau00a0

She got a Bollywood debut that many would kill foru00a0 playing Shah Rukh Khan's leading lady in Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om. Added to this was the small detail that the movie ended up being Bollywood's highest-grossing film ever. She might not hit the acting high note, but she's easy on the eye and has screen presence.

Pass: Om Shanti Om, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Love Aaj Kal

Fail: Chandni Chowk to China

Distinction: As Meera, the practical-in-love monument restorer in Love Aaj Kal

Post graduation: Karthik Calling Karthik with Farhan Akhtar, Sajid Khan's comedy Housefull and Ashutosh Gowariker's Khele Hum Jee Jaan Se. Taran reveals, "I liked her in Om Shanti Om, but was very disappointed with Chandni Chowk to China. I was pleasantly shocked with Love Aaj Kal. She was natural and believable. She will be one of the top actresses."

Viva: Trying to get Deepika Padukone to say something witty is as difficult as making someone crack a smile at a funeral. She never steers away from politically correct answers. Needs to straighten out the 'Dull Deepika' image.

Prom date: Rumour has it that she decided to put a full stop to her relationship with Ranbir Kapoor. She has yet to sit and share lunch with someone else.

Most likely to: Have a successful innings as a star, but her acting needs work.

Neil Nitin Mukesh

Class best buddy

Neil chose a different film to debut with and Johnny Gaddaar pegged him amongst the newcomers with potential. But his next film Aa Dekhen Zara had people wondering if his name would be longer than his movie career. He's proved that wrong with New York, yet his acting is still below grade.

Pass: New York

Fail: Johnny Gaddaar, Aa Dekhen Zara, Jail

Distinction: As Vikram, the double-crossing conman in Johnny Gaddaar.

Post graduation: Neil will be seen in Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny? Taran predicts, "People appreciated his performances in Johnny Gaddaar and Jail. There is no denying that he is a good actor. But he needs the backing of a good hit and needs to work hard to get those numbers."

Viva: He talks a lot. By that, we mean two sides of a tape, which makes for fun reading, but a lot of editing!

Prom date: Neil has been linked to Mugdha Godse, but is in a committed relationship with Priyanka Bhatia, not a graduate of B-Town College.

Most likely to: Ace supporting roles.

Sonam Kapoor

Class style diva

Anil Kapoor's eldest daughter, Sonam made a hyped debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya, but it sank before you could say superstar. Delhi-6 gave her a chance to show some acting chops, yet the box office wasn't too happy. However, Sonam is a big hit on the red carpet with her sometimes-quirky-sometimes-classy sense of style.

Pass: Still has to make it

Fail: Saawariya, Delhi-6

Distinction: Sonam received praise for her portrayal as the wannabe, spunky singer Bittu in Delhi-6.

Post graduation: Daddy's Aisha based on Jane Austen's Emma and Karan Johar's I Hate Luv Stories with Imran Khan. Taran's box office prediction is bleak. "As of now, she has no hold over the box office. She needs that push so people notice her. She also needs a good performance. As of now she is not there, yet you never knowu2026"

Viva: Is the best of the newcomers in giving interviews. Sonam is bubbly, intelligent and doesn't mince words. Ask her fun, wacky questions and she can give you a truckload of quotes.

Prom date: In their first movie as graduates, Sonam and Ranbir were struck by Cupid's arrow. However, he moved on and they remain good friends. Word in the canteen is that she dated funny guy Cyrus Sahukar. No confirmation on that as yet.

Most likely to: Have a fashion house.

Himesh Reshammiya

Class repeater

Music composer turned singer turned actor turned pain in the wrong place, Himesh decided to try his luck acting in his movie Aap Kaa Surrooru00a0 The Real Luv Story, playing himself. The gods felt generous and the movie did well. Then came Karzzzz that put everyone to zzzz. Now the forthcoming Radio will decide if he makes waves.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Pass: Aap Kaa Surrooru00a0 The Real Luv Story

Fail: Karzzzz

Distinction: Er, what?

Post graduation: John Matthew Mathan's A New Love Ishtory, Pooja Bhatt's Kajraare and Swapna Joshi's Ishq Unplugged. Taran actually thinks Himesh has a future in acting. "His USP is his music and he knows that it's going to attract attention. He has potential as an actor because he has groomed himself from his first film. His music is popular so half the battle is won at the box office."

Viva: Himesh unplugged is pretty candid stuff. He's a little slow on the uptake so twist your questions and no controversies are off-the-list.

Prom date: Married with a son. Way too old for this batch.

Most likely to: Continue making bad films.

Imran Khanu00a0

Class geek

Imran's debut was courtesy mamu Aamir Khan who backed Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na that was stuck for a few years. His chocolate boy act created a craze, but when he moved on to playing action hero, audiences were unimpressed. Kidnap and Luck undid the praise that Imran received for Jaane Tuu2026 Imran has little to worry; mamu is back to the rescue with Delhi Belly.

Pass: Jaane Tu Ya Jaane

Fail: Kidnap, Luck

Distinction: As Jai Singh Rathore, the best friend turned boyfriend in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.

Post graduation: Aamir Khan produced Delhi Belly and Karan Johar's I Hate Luv Stories with a year senior Sonam Kapoor. Taran predicts that Imran will go the distance. "His last two films haven't done well, but they both got an opening which means that people want to see him. He is here to stay. Look at his versatility from Jaane Tuu2026 to Luck."

Viva: Books, movies, superheroes, carsu2026 Imran is a trivia geek and bright interview material. He takes himself a bit too seriously and can come across as cocky, especially when he compares himself to Aamir Khan. Yet, he's articulate and fun to read.

Prom date: Imran has been open about his relationship with Avantika Malik, who's now his fiancee.

Most likely to: Turn director-producer with an eye for perfection.

Farhan Akhtaru00a0

Class rock star
The coolest guy in school the one everyone wants to hang out with. The director who gave us Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan Akhtar chose to debut as an actor in an equally urban chic film, Rock On!! The adulation he received was no less than a rock star's. Swaying away from this genre, he played a struggler in sister Zoya's Luck By Chance. The critically-acclaimed movie may not have rocked the box office, but it cemented Farhan's status as an actor.

Pass: Rock On!!

Fail: Luck By Chance

Distinction: It's tough to choose between Farhan's performance as rocker Aditya Shroff or struggler Vikram Jaisingh who makes it big in Luck By Chance.

Post graduation: Farhan slips into his acting boots once again with home production Karthik Calling Karthik. Taran feels Farhan's a natural. "He's a very intelligent actor who chooses films where people will accept him. After directing big stars, he knows what acting is about. He'll draw in crowds because he has credibility. You know you're not going to get nonsense."

Viva: Easy-going in interviews, he swings from boring copy to super funny, with great stories about his famous friends.

Prom date: Farhan is married to hairstylist Adhuna and has two daughters. Despite this, he's one hot B-Town College graduate.

Most likely to: Appeal to the urban audience.

Harman Baweja

Class wannabe

Harman was labelled as the next Hrithik Roshan, but he clearly doesn't hold a chalk to the superstar. Harman had all the buzz, with news of being signed on by Ashutosh Gowariker and Sanjay Leela Bhansali even before his first film. But even changing his name's spelling hasn't helped; all he got for it were minus marks.
Pass: Even Harman's wondering which one will do the trick.

Fail: Love Story 2050, Victory, What's Your Raashee?

Distinction: Has lacked personality in all his roles so far.

Post graduation: Anees Bazmee's It's My Life. Taran says the box office stars for Harman are on the wane. "He got three big chances, but came under a lot of flak. However, I liked him in What's Your Raashee? Perhaps luck is not on his side or perhaps comparison with Hrithik has worked against him. He will have to reinvent himself."

Viva: Harman tries hard to please his interviewer, which makes it easy to handle him. Though his wannabe status is a tad boring. Having nothing to boast of, Harman's interviews are candid enough.u00a0

Prom date: The only thing good going on for Harman was his relationship with Priyanka Chopra. Now he just has to stand outside class and look in.

Most likely to: Not reach full potential.u00a0

Prateik

Class backbencher

Most just wanted to check if Smita Patil's son had the talent she possessed. He didn't disappoint in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Everyone burst into laughter when he delivered the famous line, "Tera ghar, tere bums." But will he be able to pull in crowds playing lead roles?u00a0u00a0

Pass: Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Fail: None, yet

Distinction: Prateik won praise and hearts as the smart-talking closet artist Amit in Jaane Tuu2026

Post graduation: Kiran Rao's Dhobi Ghaat and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's My Friend Pinto. Taran is cautious about Prateik's box office future. "We have to wait and watch. He has gone in for a complete makeover. There is more hype in the media (about his lineage) than in the industry."

Viva: Catch him on a bad day and he gives out a vibe like agreeing to the interview was his worst mistake. Talk about films and he gets chatty.

Prom date: Whispers have been heard in the locker room about his close friendship with junior Shazahn Padamsee who will soon graduate with Rocket Singhu2026u00a0

Most likely to: Remain confused.

Mahi Gill

Class drama club prez

With no real pedigree or godfather and without the conventional Bollywood glamour, Mahi Gill shot to the limelight with Dev D. She followed this with a small but impactful part in Gulaal, erasing from memory the horror that was Pal Pal Dil Ke Sath.

Pass: Dev D

Fail: Gulaal, Pal Pal Dil Ke Sath, Aage Se Right

Distinction: She was witty yet vulnerable as the sexually liberated Paro in Dev D.

Post graduation: Mahi gets to showcase her talent alongside Irrfan Khan in Paan Singh Tomar. Taran says Mahi is more an arthouse cinema girl. "She's very spontaneous. We have not seen her in out and out commercial films. Her box office potential depends on the movies she chooses."

Viva: Mahi comes across as the smart talking Punjabi kudi that she is, often slipping into chaste Hindi while narrating a funny incident.
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Prom date: After going through a tumultuous divorce, her relationships are under wraps.
Most likely to: Be the next Tabu.

The other graduates

Jiah Khan: Jiah might have got a high profile debut in the Lolita-esque Nishabd and later a small part in Ghajini but her acting skills are next to none and the sex kitten act is getting old.u00a0u00a0

Neha Oberoi: Critics had a field day panning her performance in Dus Kahaaniyan, Woodstock Villa and EMI. She might be pretty but that won't take her far.

Sikandar Kher: He looked promising in Woodstock Villa, yet there's little buzz about this star son.u00a0

Mimoh Chakraborty: Bollywood's original disco dancer's son might set the floor on fire, but lacks the acting chops Mithunda still has.

Adhyayan Suman: He made it in the news not for his second film Raazu00a0The Mystery Continues but for his now kaput relationship with Kangana Ranaut.

Kalki Koechlin: She did her thing in Dev D, but Mahi Gill's impressive outing as Paro left her Chandramukhi gasping for breath.

Mugdha Godse: Her first film Fashion did well at the box office and Mugdha was noticed. Her second film Jail lost out at the box office but she did receive praise.

Aamna Sharif: There was no masala in her debut Aloo Chaat nor did she create any magic with Aao Wish Karein.u00a0

Rajeev Khandelwal: Making a smooth transition from TV to film, Rajeev ditched the pretty boy act and played the common man with surprising perfection in the critically applauded Aamir. His next movie Peter Gaya Kaam Se will be closely watched.

Prachi Desai: The bahu turned chic in Rock On!! and it was a pleasure to not see her weep rivers. Her role in Life Partner is best forgotten. Next up is Once Upon a Time in Mumbai.

Jackky Bhagnani: Dad Vashu Bhagnani might have given him a break with the dismal Kal Kissne Dekha and the boy did look confident. Not enough though; as we all know how bleak his kal looks.

Anurag Sinha: Subhash Ghai's discovery Anurag, who made his debut in Black&White might have graduated from the esteemed FTII but that just did not seem enough. His career looks all black now.

Shruti Haasan: Shruti should have been blessed with the acting genes considering her who her parents are, but her performance in Luck was dead boring.

Jacqueline Fernandes: Debuted with Aladin, but made little impact with the film sinking. She's got the looks but does she have the talent?

Chandan Roy Sanyal: Both critics and audiences were struck by his wacky turn as conman Mikhail in Kaminey.u00a0