Indian women are said to be amongst the most beautiful women in the world....The latest actresses have more on offer.... So all you fans out there...if your parents go on about the various Nutans , Madhubalas, Nargis', Raakhees etc - tell them to eat their words 'cos women today cannot be compared to the sixties (yawn) and seventies...move over all you Saira Banus cos this is the era of the Karismas, Urmilas, Juhis, Madhuris, Kajols et al...!!!
(1)Kajol
Most successful movies: 'Yeh Dillagi', 'Baazigar', 'Karan Arjun', 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Gupt', 'Ishq' ,'Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya', 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha' & 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.
Best Performances: 'Yeh Dillagi', 'Udhar Ki Zindagi', 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Gupt', 'Ishq', 'Dushman', 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' & 'Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain'.
Awards: Best Actress for 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (Filmfare - 1996) & Best villian for 'Gupt' (Filmfare/Zee - 1998).
Current Status: Easily the best of the lot. Past and present. Makes every role appear tailormade for her. A bundle of talent, a joy for filmakers. Soaring in terms of popularity and sex appeal. Accepts a film if it excites her even if its a film with a flop director like Sohail Khan. Turns down names like Mani Ratnam for reasons best known to her. Oodles of attitude and flashes it around at every given opportunity. 1998 was without a doubt Kajol's year with superhits 'Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya', 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha' & off course 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'...
Strengths: Bubbly, spontaneous and successful, Kajol is like live wire on screen just waiting to explode. And off course she is very talented indeed...
Weaknesses: The marriage that's round the corner with long time sweet heart Ajay Devgan. Kajol still has a lot of spunk in her - which she can exploit - if she only remains married to her career that is...
What to watch for: 'Chhal' (with Atul Agnihotri) & Prakash Jha' s next film with (Ajay & Juhi)..
(2)Karisma Kapoor
Most successful movies:'Prem Qaidi' , 'Jigar', 'Anari', 'Raja Babu', 'Coolie No. 1', 'Hero No 1', 'Saajan Chale Sasural', 'Jeet', 'Judwaa', 'Raja Hindustani' & 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.
Best Performances:'Raja Hindustani', 'Jeet' 'Khuddar','Anari' & 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.
Awards: Best Actress for 'Raja Hindustani' (Filmfare - 1997),Best Supporting Actress for 'Dil To Pagal Hai' (Filmfare/Zee - 1998) & National Award for 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.
Current Status: Lolo was doing 'Judwaa', 'Jeet' and 'Hero No.1' - which meant doing little more than lookin pretty and dancing by her heroes' side. Then Dharmesh Darshan shook her from her stupor and the sleeping beauty got up and discovered that she could act. She realised that she didn't neet the Govinda - David Dhawan pair to give her hits every year. She wisened up after 'Raja Hindustani' and then in 'Dil To Pagal Hai' she locked horns with Madhuri Dixit. A role that every actress from Juhi to Manisha and from Kajol to Urmila had turned down. But to lolo's surprise she walked away with as much praise as Madhuri Dixit - and the film that all her contemporaries her turned down worked in her favour to a major extent...
Strengths: Her determination. Her dedication. Has no ego hassles. She has absolutely no problem about approaching a director and demanding a role she wants.
Weaknesses: Her shrill voice. And her teenybopper appearance. Film makers still consider her too young to take her seriously...
What to watch for: 'Silsila Hai Pyar Ka' (with Chandrachur Singh), 'Lovearia' (with Saif Ali Khan) 'Hasina Maan Jayegi' (with Govinda & Sanjay Dutt), Sooraj Barjatya's 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' (with Salman, Saif, Sonali & Tabu), 'Bajrang' (with Sunny), N. Chandra's 'Shikari' (with Govinda & Tabu), David Dhawan's venture (with Shah Rukh & Raveena), 'Jaanwar' (with Akshay), & Rajat Rawail's 'Deewana Tere Naam Ka' (with Akshaye Khanna).
(3)Madhuri Dixit
Most successful movies:'Tridev', 'Tezaab', 'Ram Lakhan, 'Dil', 'Beta', 'Raja', 'Khalnayak', 'Saajan','Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!' & 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.
Best Performances: 'Anjaam', 'Prem Granth', 'Beta', 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!', 'Khalnayak', 'Yaarana', 'Mrityudand', 'Dil To Pagal Hai' & 'Wajood'.
Awards: Best actress for 'Beta' (Filmfare - 1992), Best Actress for 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!' (Filmfare -1994), Best Actress for 'Mrityudand' (Screen - 1998) and Best Actress for 'Dil To Pagal Hai' (Filmfare/Zee - 1998).
Current Status: What do you do when you've conquered every peak? You try desperately to stay on that rareified hight. That seems to be Madhuri's preoccupation today. Her last release 'Wajood' saw her do the same jhatkas all over again but she did chip in a good performance in an otherwise dull film. To be fair though, Madhuri is trying to venture into newer territories even if she can't seem to muster up the courage to make a clean cut from her stronghold. She has the pivotal role in M.F.Hussain's 'Gaj Gamini' which should be interesting. Also long awaited is her dark-tinged role in Raj Kumar Santoshi's 'Pukar'. Madhuri is in a position to caommand roles and prices but shoudn't she be the one with the title roles today...?
Strengths: Still a superb actress and dancer as well as being professional to the core.
Weaknesses:Madhuri isn't getting any younger and thats the problem. One or two hits will not make much difference to her career... Madhuri is definitely past her prime.
What to watch for: Boney Kapoor's 'Pukaar' (with Anil Kapoor), the bilingual 'Engineer' (with Arvind Swamy), K.C Bokadia's 'Aap Mere Hai Sanam' (with Shah Rukh & Salman), 'Arzoo' (with Akshay & Saif), M.F Hussain's 'Gaj Gamini' (with Inder Kumar) & Deepak Shivdasani's 'Har Dil Ka Yehi Raasta' (with Ajay & Rani).
(4)Juhi Chawla
Most successful movies: 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak', 'Bol Radha Bol', 'Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman', 'Lootere', 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke', 'Aaina', 'Darr','Loafer','Yes Boss', 'Deewana Mastana' & 'Ishq'.
Best Performances: 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke', 'Aaina', 'Saajan Ka Ghar','Daraar', 'Yes Boss', 'Ishq' & 'Duplicate' .
Awards:Best actress for 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke' (Filmfare - 1994).
Current Status: India's answer to Julia Roberts. Ms Clean. Everybody's darling. Always doing the right things and the right films. Has Mr Jai (Moneybags) Mehta to back her up unless her career goes wrong. Not that there are any chances of that happening though. The last two years Miss Chawla has been busy and casually caught every meaty role from under the noses of Manisha, Karisma and Kajol. 'Yes Boss', 'Deewana Mastana' and 'Ishq' erased the memory of her earlier flops but with disasters like 'Duplicate', 'Saat Rang Ke Sapne' & 'Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate' recently the vicious cycle seems to be at work again...
Strengths: A hard interior under the soft exterior. What's more she's matured as an actress and she's working with the best of banners and with the pick of heroes. And she's got a loyal fan following that refuses to diminish. So liked is Chirpy Chawla, that heroes like Shah Rukh, Akshay, Sunil, Chandrachur & Aamir absloutely delight in working with her. Even the rumours of her marriage with Jai Mehta didn't deter the producers from lining up.
Weaknesses: Mr Jai Mehta and her secret marriage to him. Wrong chocie of films - Juhi is single handedly responsible for giving Karisma all those hits by refusing those films at the nth hour...
What to watch for: Rahul Rawail's 'Arjun Pandit' (with Sunny), Shashilal Nair's 'Dil Sachcha Chehra Jhootha' (with Shah Rukh & Jackie), the delayed 'Karobaar' (with Anil & Rishi), 'Billa No. 302' (with Nana Patekar), Guddu Dhanoa's next (with Sunny), Kuku Kohli's next (with Sunil Shetty), her joint production 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani' (with Shah Rukh) & Prakash Jha's next film (with Ajay & Kajol).
(5)Urmila Matondkar
Most successful movies: 'Rangeela','Hindustani' 'Judaai', 'Chhota Chetan' & 'Satya'.
Best Performances: 'Rangeela', 'Judaai' & 'Satya'.
Awards:None.
Current Status: Call her the comeback of the year, maybe even the decade. For nearly ten long years, Urmila struggled to gain a foothold in tinsel town, but with little success. Flop followed flop, and she was all but written off by the industry. She was expected to fizzle out but instead she sky rocketted to super stardom with just one 'Rangeela'. She did it in style and how...!
With 3 flops - 'Daud', 'Mere Sapnon Ki Rani' & 'Aflatoon' Urms had slipped somewhat - but '98 turned out to be one of the higlights of her career - with mentor Ram Gopal Varma's hard hitting 'Satya' she proved that she can indeed act and is no one film wonder. And 'Chotta Chetan' - a kiddie flick also worked - watchout for this woman...! An abysmal 'Kudrat' should be best forgotten...
Strengths:Urmila has the 'if you have it, flaunt it' attitude - ask all her male fans. Addiitionally she is an amazing dancer. Above all this she has this unique capability to survive all odds and flops like 'Aa Gale Lag Ja', 'Shreeman Aashique' etc etc Today, the 'tanha tanha' girl is the only one who sits and works on her look.
Weaknesses: Like Sridevi, Urmila is icy - aloofness personified - she can freeze unwanted attention as easily as an ice cream maker in a morgue. She makes sure that she works only with big makers - that way the heroine doesn't get the entire blame if the film flops...
What to watch for: Dharmendra's 'Dillagi' (with Sunny & Bobby Deol), Ram Gopal Varma's 'Kaun' & 'Mast'(with Manoj Bajpai), 'Khoobsurat' (with Sanjay Dutt), David Dhawan's 'Kunwaara' & 'Hum Tumpe Marte Hain'(with Govinda), 'Jaanam Samjha Karo' (with Salman), 'Harry Baweja's 'Deewane' (with Ajay) and R. Mohan's untitled venture with Bobby Deol.
(6)Manisha Koirala
Most successful movies: 'Saudagar', Bombay', 'Agnisakshi','Hindustani' & 'Gupt'.
Best Performances: '1942 - A Love Story', 'Bombay', 'Akele Hum Akele Tum', 'Agnisakshi', 'Khamoshi - The Musical' & 'Dil Se..'.
Awards: Critics Award for 'Bombay' (Filmfare - 1996) & 'Khamoshi - The Musical' (Filmfare - 1997).
Current Status: Sometimes the best laid plans oo men and mice...with more than a dozen releases scheduled, 1998 was supposed to be the year of Manisha Koirala. However with major disasters like 'Yugpurush', 'Maharaja', 'Achaanak' and most importantly Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se..' things didn't quite work out according to schedule. But with youth firmly in her corner one can never count an established actress like Manisha out of the bout. Her big white hope todat is Indra-4-hits-in-a-row-Kumar's 'Mann' with Aamir among several other films.
What Manisha desperately needs is a film that will loosen up her dramatic actress par excellence image. Sure her looks and intensity are Manisha's trump cards but she trails behind when it comes to commercial considerations like a neat figure adn light footed dnaceing ability. She has to be selective about investing her energies in the right projects and in honing her skills for lighter roles...
Strengths: Her lust for life combined with never ending determination. Give her a good director and Koirala disarms you with a dreamy delievery...
Weaknesses: A weight problem and various linkups with with all the wrong men. Places her emotional needs before her successful career...
What to watch for: 'Lawaaris' (with Jackie, Dimple & Akshaye Khanna), Indra's Kumar's 'Mann' (with Aamir), Jackie Shroff's 'Raju Raja Ram' (with Salman , Govinda & Jackie), Shashilal Nair's 'Grahan' (with Jackie), 'Khauf' (with Sanjay & Saif), Mahesh Bhatt's 'Kartoos' (with Sanjay & Jackie), 'Champion' (with Sunny), K.C. Bokadia's 'Lal Badshah' (with Amitabh) & 'Moksha' (with Arjun Rampal).
(7)Tabu
Most successful movies: 'Vijaypath', 'Saajan Chale Sasural', 'Jeet','Maachis', 'Virasat' & 'Chachi 420'.
Best Performances: 'Sazaa E Kaala Paani', 'Maachis','Jeet', 'Virasat' & 'Chachi 420'.
Awards: National Award for 'Maachis' (1997) Critis Award for 'Virasat' (Filmfare - 1998).
Current Status: The outsider who insiduously made a niche for herself. In Tabu's career nothing happened overnight. Her debut film, 'Prem' (co-starring the still-struggling Sanjay Kapoor) took 6 years in the making. Her career too took time to catch fire. But now she is part of some of the hottest projects on the floors.
Uniquely, Tabu has managed to keep a foot apiece in both serious and commercial cinema. And even in a commercial film like Rajshri's 'Hum Saath Saath Hain', she has daringly agreed to play 'bhabhi' to Salman!! For high minded directors like Gulzar, Govind Nihlani ('Takshak') & Priyadarshan ('Hera Pheri' & 'Chandralekha'), Tabu is the natural choice but admittedly the high priced actress still has to become popular with more mainstream makers. 1999 will decide whether Tabu can effect a whole hearted switchover to becoming a jhatka queen...
Strengths: A million dollar face combined with unmeasurable talent. Tabu is like that dormant volcano waiting to erupt - she's that good. Performance wise she's as good as Manisha and Kajol...
Weaknesses: The marriage that's round the corner with Sajid Nadiadwala - she may lose a large number of fans. Additionally she never maintains a constant level of weight - in some movies she look sensuous while in others she looks roly poly...
What to watch for: Sooraj Barjatya's 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' (with Saif, Salman, Karisma & Sonali), Priyadarshan's 'Hera Pheri' (with Akshay & Sunil), 'Chandralekha' (with Anil & Aishwarya), Mehul Kumar's 'Kohram' (with Amitabh, Jackie & Nana), Govind Nihlani's 'Takshak' (with Ajay) & N.Chandra's 'Shikari' (with Govinda & Karisma).
(8)Rani Mukherjee
Most successful movies: 'Ghulam' & 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.
Best Performances: 'Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat' & 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.
Awards: None.
Current Status: After Aamir asked her to come wit him to Khandala, every filmmaker wants to ask her to act in his film. Rani is queening it up after the super success of 'Ghulam' & 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'. Her burgeoning popularity is evident by the prominence she got in KKHH's trailers - almost equal to to that of the film's main lead - her cousin Kajol, despite a somewhat abbreviated role. Vikram 'Ghulam' Bhatt is not repeating Aamir in his next film but is repeating Rani. With her mentor Salim repeatedly offering her women oriented films an dpeople like Yash Chopra & Govinda envicing keen interest in her, Rani is tipped to be more than a cheese cake starlet - she looks as though she will eat her cake and have it too...
Strengths: To her advantage, her relative newness ensures a price tag which is also more attractive than the inflated prices charged by the already successful heroines. Added to which she has quite a bit of talent which was already evident in the films mentioned above...
Weaknesses:Somewhat unconventional looks with a husky voice combined with the rising level of expectations...
What to watch for: 'Hadh Kar Di Aapne' (with Govinda), Sohail Khan's 'Hello Brother (with Salman & Arbaaz), Sajid Nadiadwala's 'Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega' (with Salman & Karisma), Deepak Shivdasani's 'Har Dil Ka Yehi Raasta' (with Ajay & Madhuri), Vikram Bhatt's 'Mulaqat' (with Akshay) & an untitled film (with Anil).
(9)Raveena Tandon
Most successful movies: 'Mohra', 'Dilwale', 'Laadla', 'Andaaz Apna Apna', 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi' 'Ziddi', 'Dulhe Raja' & 'Bade Miya Chhote Miya'.
Best Performances: 'Imtihaan', 'Vijeta', 'Dilwale' ,'Ghulam-E-Mustafa' & 'Pardesi Babu'.
Awards: Discovery of the year (Filmfare - 1991).
Current Status: The ideal bit of fluff to embellish a movie with. The strikingly attractive features of Raveena Tandon have stared down at us from posters throughout 1998. Raveena's long list of relases is complimented by the equally long list of films she has on hand. Ahem...did someone mention quality??? As Raveena herself admits, her frenetic personal life left her little time to concentrate on her career. But she promises that her future batch of films will show her histronic talents in a better light. However there is little evidence of that yet. Also with several heroes increasingly out of her orbit (Sunny & Akshay) for personal reasons Raveena's two-hits-two-flops pair with Govinda is where she is most likely to win professional succour from...
Strengths: Like her contemporaries she has a body that any other actress would die for. Added to which there are a few hot movies tucked away under that sexy belt of hers...
Weaknesses:Raveena's biggest drawback comes from her tendency to jump into relationships like there's no tomorrow - the latest being Sunny Deol. Had she concentrated more on her movies rather than him she would have done wonders to her career. Additionally she has this uncanny habit of shooting her mouth off uneccessarily ask Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Kapoor etc etc...
What to watch for: 'Bulundi' (with Anil Kapoor & Rekha), 'Abhiyan' (with Nana Patekar & Naseerudin Shah), 'Anari No.1' & 'Rajaji' (with Govinda), Ram Gopal Varma's 'Shool' (with Shah Rukh Khan), Sanjay Gupta's 'Jung' (with Jackie, Sanjay & Shilpa) 'Ek Hindustani' (with Sunil Shetty) & 'Virodh (with Akshay Kumar).
(10)Aishwarya Rai
Most successful movies: None.
Best Performances: '...Aur Pyar Ho Gaya'
Awards:Miss World (1994) & Discovery of the year (Screen - 1998).
Current Status: Her first film, the Tamil 'Iruvar' laid an expensive egg in the south. Ditto for '...Aur Pyar Ho Gaya' and the mega turkey 'Jeans'. But gorgeus Ash continues to sign movies with top makers, and why not - she has the Miss World title behind her combined with drop dead looks. It remains to be seen whether she lives up to expectations. Everyone awaits. to see if she rises, phoenix like from the ashes of her flops...
Strengths: A million dollar face combined with a strong personality and plenty of intelligence. Additionally a great dancer. Has some hot movies lined up this year...lets see if she proves that models can act as well as look good...
Weaknesses: Her price. She is charging a hefty crore which isn't justified since she hasn't even established herself. Her interviews are boring and she is as tight lipped about her personal life as Madhuri Dixit. She needs to learn that media attention is important.
What to watch for: Priyadarshan's 'Chandralekha' (with Anil & Tabu), Subhash Ghai's 'Taal' (with Akshaye & Anil), Mansoor Khan's 'Josh' (with Shah Rukh Khan), 'Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke' & 'Sitaram Radheshyam' (with Sunil Shetty), Sanjay Bhansali's 'Hum Dil De Chuke Hai Sanam' (with Salman & Ajay), & 'Albela' (with Jackie & Govinda).
(11)Twinkle Khanna
Most successful movies: 'Barsaat', 'Jaan' & 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai'.
Best Performances: 'Jaan' & 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai'.
Awards: Discovery of the year (Filmfare - 1996).
Current Status: Twinkle started off her career with a big bang with 'Barsaat'. 'Jaan' was appreciated and then came disasters like 'Dil Tera Deewana','Uff Yeh Mohabbat' & 'Itihaas' two of which were with not so hot stars like Abhishek Kapoor & Saif Ali Khan and her dreams came crashing down. She was great in 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai' and what's more the movie did fairly well. She's not as hot as she was destined to be but her forthcoming movies with two more Khans - Aamir and Shah Rukh will probably change all that...
Strengths: Like her star parents she has all the atributes of a star - looks, talent & determination - no surprise that she therefore has some of the hottest movies under her wing especially Dharmesh Darshan's 'Mela' which she did not let go of much to Karisma's disappointment...
Weaknesses: She seems to be taking her career for granted - she still is regarded as a newcomer - it's uneccesary to act so starry... A care a damn attitude with a pinch of arrogance are also a definite no - no. Determined is fine but to go to the limit of snatching roles kind of exeeds the limit...ask Miss Chawla.
What to watch for: Dharmesh Darshan's 'Mela' (with Aamir & Faisal Khan), Abbas Mustan's 'Badshah' (with Shah Rukh Khan), 'Zulmi' & 'International Khiladi' (with Akshay), 'Yehi Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan' (with Saif) & 'Agar Tum Na Aate' (with Akshaye Khanna).
(12)Preity Zinta
Most successful movies: 'Soldier'.
Best Performances: 'Dil Se..'
Awards: Discovery of the year (Screen - 1999).
Current Status: Besides Rani Mukherjee, the girl to make an impression in 1998 was Preity Zinta. She was the discovery of the year. Before entering films she had made waves as Liril's bathing beauty and Cadbury's 'perky' miss. A Shekhar Kapur discovery - he had signed her on for his now shelved project 'Ta Ra Rum Pum Pum' - made her debut in Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se..' where she made an impact in an abbreviated role. Her acid test however was Abbas-Mustaan's 'Soldier' where she played the lead opposite Bobby Deol. And she didn't disappoint. Trade pundits promise a great future for her provided she makes the right moves...
Strengths: Flamboyant screen presence and talented - her effortless performances in the above flicks wowed cinegoers all over the country...
Weaknesses: Increasing level of expecations together with somewhat unconventional looks...
What to watch for: Raj Kanwar's 'Farz' (with Sunny) & Tanuja Chandra's 'Andhera' (with Akshay Kumar).
(13)Mahima Chaudhary
Most successful movies: 'Pardes'.
Best Performances: 'Pardes' .
Awards: Discovery of the year (Filmfare/Zee - 1998) and The Lux fresh new face of the year award (Zee 1998).
Current Status: She's only a film old and she's said to be the next big thing on the block. If she was so damn good in her first film then we have a lot to look forward to from this fresh faced beauty. Who said models can't act - look at how many there on this list for gods sakes. Mahima really has a lot going for her - Subhash Ghai's helping hand, professionalism, talent and the best pick of projects...go get 'em gal...!
Strengths: Subhash Ghai off course, after the so called 'patch up' and a hassle free attitude along with talent.
Weaknesses:A lot of expectations from her in her next flick and somewhat over confident and 'starry' - as a result of which she lost out on a few good films...
What to watch for: Raj Kanwar's 'Daag' (with Chandrachur Singh & Sanjay Dutt), Polygram's 'Pyar Koi Khel Nahin' (with Sunny), Priyadrashan's next (with Anil) and an untitled film with Salman.
(14)Sushmita Sen
Most successful movies: None.
Best Performances: 'Dastak'.
Awards:Miss Universe (1994).
Current Status: Like Aishwarya her first film, 'Dastak' laid an expensive egg at the box office. And recently so did 'Zor'. Her colourful lifestyle, sensational interviews and a Miss Universe title made her shoot up in the industry stock. Added to which, her affair with the not so hot Vikram Bhatt created waves with the media - as a result she got a lot of coverage.
Strengths: Talented...this was evident in her first film 'Dastak' itself. One hit film and she'll give her contemporaries a run for their money. Again a million dollar body - aided by silicon...which she doesn't deny herself...
Weaknesses: Her price - which proved to be her biggest downfall - instead of signing her on immediately, producers used a 'wait and watch' policy...after 'Dastak' producers started shying away from her. Another weakness is a stray Vikram Bhatt...why do they always go for married men...? Lately, she seems to be shying away from the media...at that rate she'll never get the coverage she needs.
What to watch for: JSEL's 'Woh Kaun Thi', David Dhawan's 'Biwi No.1' (with Anil & Govinda), 'Chakra' (with Sanjay Dutt) & 'Hindustan Ki Kasam' (with Ajay Devgan).
(15)Shilpa Shetty
Most successful movies: 'Baazigar' & 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari'.
Best Performances: 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari' & 'Aag'
Awards: None.
Current Status: Last year wasn't really favourable for Shilpa - she had three flops - 'Auzaar','Zameer', 'Aakrosh' and 'Prithvi' - nothing seems to be working. They all failed to create box office history - the kind that she deserves. Always touted as being the next number one once upon a time, Shilpa is still sadly regarded as a struggler.
Strengths: A flawless figure - Shilpa just manages to score over Karisma, Sonali & Pooja Batra. Added to which she's not such a bad actress on screen... and off it.
Weaknesses: Aping Sridevi just about gets on your nerves - doesn't she know that nobody can compare to the ex - queen be. Another irritating feature is the way she screams in her interviews that she's a virgin - heck who wants to know hey Govinda, Akshay, Salman , Sanjay etc etc...
What to watch for:Dharmesh Darshan's 'Dhadkan' (with Akshay Kumar & Sunil Shetty), Sanjay Gupta's 'Jung' (with Sanjay & Jackie) & K.C. Bokadia's 'Lal Badshah' (with Amitabh Bachchan & Manisha Koirala) .
(16)Sonali Bendre
Most successful movies: 'Diljale' & 'Bhai'.
Best Performances: 'English Babu Desi Mem', 'Duplicate' & 'Diljale'.
Awards: Discovery of the year (Filmfare - 1995).
Current Status: You would not believe that this 'Stardust' protege, with her fresh faced beauty and it's hint of vulnerability, can be ruthless. But Sonali has revealed herself to be a tough cookie where her proffesion is concerned, and is clear sighted about her goals. Up to date, Sonali does not have a single hit to her credit despite working with the likes of Sunil Shetty, Shah Rukh Khan & Govinda. That's one of the reasons why she's on this list because despite being bombarded with flops Sonali has never fallen short of offers - that too with big banners. Lately 'Duplicate', 'Angaaray' & 'Major Saab' were disasters which means extra pressure from critics...
Strengths: Her innocence and fresh charm are indeed just part of her costume - two more ways of getting ahead in a perilous proffesion. She is one hell of a smart babe with a million dollar face combined with a billion dollar figure...
Weaknesses: Her career is shady with disasters like 'English Babu Desi Mem', 'Tarazu', 'Sapoot', 'Gaddar', 'Takkar', 'Aag', 'The Don', 'Duplicate' etc etc. Her biggest drawback has been her link up with Sunil Shetty - as a result there is now a tension between them.
What to watch for: 'Dahak' & 'Love You Hameshaa' (with Akshaye Khanna), 'Sarfarosh' (with Aamir), Sooraj Barjatya's 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' (with Saif, Salman, Karisma & Tabu) & Shantanu Sheorey's 'Jadh' (with Jackie) .
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