As far as debutants go, 2009 was one of the worst years in Bollywood. No Ranbir, nor Deepika, nor even a Neil or Mugdha. There were just a handful of wannabes like Vashu Bhagnani's son Jackky and Sadhana Singh's daughter Sheena. None of the newcomers added up to much. Hopefully, the faces in 2010 would be more productive, says a media report.
Sonakshi Sinha
Film: Abhinav Kashyap's Dabangg
Background: Daughter to and pampered by Shatrughan and Punam Sinha, Sonakshi did somemodelling and had no intentions of being an actress until Salman Khan spotted her.
Verdict: Sonakshi has what it takes, besides Salman's staunch support and her parents' guidance she is described as "stunningly pretty" by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Zarine Khan
Film: Anil Sharma's Veer
Background: Came in from the cold, no family connections, just Salman Khan's recommendation
Verdict: She has Salman to back up her starry dreams. However her label as a Katrina Kaif look-alike will work against her. Duplicates don't deliver. What happened to Salman's Aishwarya look-alike Sneha Ullal? Besides making a debut in a costume drama is always dicey. Ask Gracy Singh (Lagaan).
Pakhi
Film: Abbas Tyrewala's 1-800-Love
Background: Has done Hansal Mehta's sex comedy Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai, best forgotten by all. Has been her husband Abbas Tyrewala's casting director in Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na. So knows whom to cast (including herself)
Verdict: Pakhi wrote the script with herself in mind. Her co-star John Abraham swears she is sensational. We take his word for it.
Barbara Mori
Film: Anurag Basu's Kites
Background: Hot sizzling Mexican model and part-time actress, lights up centre spreads like there's no tomorrow.
Verdict: She's much in the news for her too-close-for-comfort friendship with Hrithik Roshan. They've plenty of torrid scenes together. But finally, she's an outsider. Not everyone is Katrina Kaif.
Trisha
Film: Priyadarshan's Khatta Meetha
Background: Like Asin, a huge star in the South and therefore no novice to the camera.
Verdict: She has Akshay Kumar's professional support. Look at what his patronage did to PC's and Kat's career. Also, experiences actresses from the South seldom fail in Bollywood.
Shraddha Kapoor
Film: Leena Yadav's Teen Patti
Background: We all have our crosses to bear. Shakti Kapoor is her dad. She does have Padmini Kolhapure for an aunt, though.
Verdict: An ensemble cast with the dwarfing Big B at the helm. Will Shraddha make her presence felt?
Monikangana
Film: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish.
Background: Model.
Verdict: She has a small but significant role opposite Hrithik Roshan. And she is being groomed and packaged by Bhansali as a temptress.
Surya
Film: Ram Gopal Varma's Rakta Charitra
Background: Son of actor Sivakumar, distinguished career in Tamil cinema
Verdict: South Boys seldom click in Mumbai. The biggest of them -- Shivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth -- made no headway in Bollywood. And where's Siddharth from Rang De Basanti?
Vikram
Film: Mani Ratnam's Raavan
Background: Huge Tamil and Malyalam star makes his debut in Hindi opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Verdict: But at 43, a bit of a late starter.
