New Delhi, Dec. 21 -- Amidst Khans and Kapoors, some new faces joined the ever-growing Bollywood brigade in 2012, and left a mark. Diana Penty
Cocktail
She had competition from Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, but she wasn't the one to be missed out. This Homi Adajania film gave a kick start to her B-Town career. "Diana is saddled with the most colourless character but she infuses her role with a quiet poise and holds her own," said film critic Anupama Chopra.
Ileana D'Cruz
Barfi!
The Telugu actor played her character with such conviction and poise in Anurag Basu's romcom, that she wasn't lost in the middle of strong performances by Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. "Ileana leaves a lasting impression in her Hindi film debut, conveying both love and pain through those beautiful, expressive eyes," said trade analyst Rajeev Masand.
Arjun Kapoor
Ishaqzaade
He made a powerful Bollywood debut in Habib Faisal's romantic-drama flick. His rustic look and inhibited character made him a hit with the female population of the country. Taran Adarsh said: "Arjun makes a fantastic debut.
He has a peerless body language and a 'I-don't-give-a-damn' kind of an approach." Rajeev Masand, however, wasn't too impressed. "Arjun is confident but at times awkward and his rawness shows," he said.
Ayushmann Khurrana, Yami Gautam
Vicky Donor
Actor John Abraham's first production venture directed by Shoojit Sircar was a hit with the audience as well as critics. "Ayushmann is a complete natural, has all the trappings of a fine actor and delivers a super confident performance. Yami Gautam adds enormous value to the movie by her act, screen presence and striking looks," said Taran Adarsh.
Sunny Leone
Jism 2
The film created frenzy throughout the nation for being the Canadian adult film star's first Bollywood outing. Leone's act in Pooja Bhatt's erotic thriller was decent considering her non-film background. Her sensuality and sex-appeal attracted many and the film was a BO hit. "Leone clearly wasn't cast for her acting skills, but she's not bad. She wisely finds a sort of half-bewildered, half-heavy breathing expression and then stays with it," said film critic Anupama Chopra.
Siddharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan
Student Of The Year
All three outshined one another with their debut act. "Both Siddharth and Varun are excessively talented, supremely confident and hardly look like first-time actors. Extremely photogenic, Alia makes a super-confident debut," said Taran Adarsh.
Esha Gupta
Jannat 2
The actor was launched by the Bhatt camp in the film, Jannat 2, which did well at the box office. The film as well as Esha's act garnered mixed reactions from film critics. "Debutante Esha Gupta enchants you with her captivating charm," said Taran Adarsh.
However, Rajeev Masand had a different story to tell. "Newcomer Esha Gupta shows more cleavage than acting potential," he said.
Huma Qureshi
Gangs of Wasseypur
In a multi-starrer cast comprising of talented artists, Huma still made her presence felt as Nawazuddin Siddiqui's love-interest. Although she didn't have a major role in part one, in the second installment of the film, she was there for all to see. "She is wonderful in the sequence when Nawaz attempts to get a little extra comfy with her," said Taran Adarsh.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Hindustan Times.