We saw many new faces in Bollywood in 2019, starting with Siddhant Chaturvedi in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria’s glamorous debuts in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year 2 and of course South Indian cinema’s Rakul Preet Singh in De De Pyaar De and Marjaavaan.
The year also saw TV actors Abhimanyu Dassani and Mouni Roy make a mark in Bollywood. Dassani starred in Vasan Bala’s Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota and Roy played Rajkummar Rao’s wife in Made in China. And, interestingly, while all these actors have already signed new scripts for 2020, this year will serve as the debut year for 11 new faces, including two very popular South Indian actress; a singer; 2 industry newcomers and celebrity offsprings.
1. Alaya F
Former Bollywood actress, television talk show host and newspaper columnist, Pooja Bedi’s daughter, Alaya F, is the newest celeb kid on the block. And, she’s all set to make her Bollywood debut on January 31 as Saif Ali Khan’s reel-life daughter in Jawaani Jaaneman. The film is a coming-of-age family comedy that will revolve around Khan’s refusal to grow up. In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, Alaya said that her character in the film is a lot like her real self. “The audience will not just get to see me perform but will also get a little glimpse into my real life,” she said.
2. Shalini Pandey
With less than 10 South Indian movies in her kitty that includes one blockbuster performance in Arjun Reddy alongside Vijay Deverakonda, Shalini Pandey — a theatre artist from Jabalpur is gearing to make her Bollywood debut in a YRF production. Pandey has bagged the role of Ranveer Singh’s heroine in Jayeshbhai Jordaar. The film will also feature Aparshakti Khurana and Boman Irani in pivotal roles.
3. Isabelle Kaif
Isabelle Kaif, Katrina Kaif’s younger sister, will make her long overdue debut on the silver screen with Kwatha this year. Directed by Karan Lalit Butani and produced by Sunil Jain, Omprakash Bhat, Aditya Joshi, Alok Thakur and Sujay Shankarwar, Kwatha introduces the younger Kaif sibling opposite Salman Khan’s brother-in-law Aayush Sharma. The film is reportedly based on true life events.
4. Jitendra Kumar
After appearing in multiple sketches of The Viral Fever, including Kota Factory and TVF Pitchers, Jitendra Kumar will mark his Bollywood debut on February 21 as Ayushmann Khurrana’s lover in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. The plot of this social comedy will be set in a small town and revolve along the lines of how a conservative family comes to terms with the fact that their son is gay and loves another man.
5. Krystle D’souza
After starring in multiple hit television shows and an ALTBalaji series, Krystle D’souza has bagged her first Bollywood project titled Chehre. The mystery-thriller is expected to release on April 24 and will feature Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi in the lead roles.
6. Ahan Shetty
If the surname didn’t give it away yet, Ahan Shetty is Suniel Shetty’s son and it looks like he’s going to be following his father and sister’s (Athiya Shetty) footprints. The star-kid is currently shooting for his debut films, Tadap – a Hindi remake of the 2018 Telugu film RX 100. The film is an action-packed romantic saga directed by Milan Luthria and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. He is paired opposite Tara Sutaria in the film.
7. Lakshya
After auditioning multiple ‘suitable boys’ for Dostana 2, Karan Johar revealed that Bollywood newcomer Lakshya (Laksh Lalwani) has bagged the role. He’ll star alongside Kartik Aaryan and Jahnvi Kapoor in the sequel of the hit 2008 film. Lakshya’s previous stints include an association with MTV India’s Warrior High. In 2017, he played Porus in Sony TV’s Porus.
8
. Sharvari Wagh
Another new actor, ready to carve her niche in the industry, Sharvari Wagh will join hands with Siddhant Chaturvedi for Bunty Aur Babli 2. The film will be directed by Varun V. Sharma from YRF, and according to him Wagh is an extremely special actress to watch out for. “She is a powerful performer and you have to watch her on-screen to understand,” he told DNA. The film will also star Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in pivotal roles.
9. Manushi Chhillar
In 2017, Manushi Chhillar became the sixth Indian woman to bring home the Miss World title and now, in 2020, she’s going to star in her first big Bollywood project alongside Akshay Kumar. Scheduled to release during Diwali, Prithviraj, Chhillar’s debut film is the story of the fearless king Prithviraj Chauhan.
10. Keerthy Suresh
After making a name for herself in the South and bagging a National Award for her performance in Mahanati, Keerthy Suresh will set foot in Bollywood with Maidaan. Directed and written by Amit Ravindrenath Sharma and produced by Boney Kapoor, Maidaan is a sport biographical film. It features Ajay Devgn and Suresh in the lead roles. The film is slated to release on November 27.
11. Shirley Setia
Shirley Setia’s been Internet-famous for many years now and is an almost recognisable face — thanks to her cover songs. She’s originally from Auckland and will mark her Bollywood debut in June 2020 with Nikamma. The film features Shilpa Shetty, Abhimanyu Dassani and Setia in the lead roles and is touted to be a rom-com.
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