Every year leaves behind a new trail of the fast, the furious and the fascinating. This year is no exception.
This time, a myriad of fresh faces made us sit up and notice for different reasons. If one became the youngest bahu on Indian television, the other made jaws drop, all around the globe, with her awe-inspiring beauty.
As the year comes to a close, We takes a look at these raring-to-go Faces of 2008:
Olga Kurylenko
One blazing look from those smoking green eyes is enough to bring mankind on its knees. Irrespective of the mixed reviews 007’s latest caper -- Quantum of Solace generated, the thumbs up verdict on this 29-year-old Ukraine-born stunner remain undisputed.
UK’s Maxim magazine sums cit best, ’If her looks don’t knock you dead, trying to pronounce her last name might.’
Mughda Godse
Though it was her first acting assignment, Pune girl Mugdha Godse made a ravishing impression with her luminous benevolence and unobtrusive sexiness.
Not to be overshadowed by her relatively senior colleagues -- Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut -- real-time model turned reel-life model Ms Godse deftly conveyed the pragmatic yet perceptive temperament of her sketchily-written Janet.
Imran Khan and Genelia D’Souza
It was only fair that Abbas Tyrewala’s delightful romance, Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na should throw its young actors into the spotlight.
And so Imran Khan with his unending supply of sweetness that could put Hersheys to shame, accompanied by the cute-as-a-character-from-Beatrix Potter stories Genelia (who made us forget that she’s, in fact, a dozen films old) had the entire nation swinging to the whims and whirls of the desi Tom & Jerry.
Leighton Meester
As Blair Waldorf, the irresistibly good-looking, fashionably-upscale, high-society campus vixen of hit TV-series Gossip Girl; Leighton Meester has upgraded Veronica Lodge to unprecedented levels.
Even though the 22-year-old diva is yet to achieve Jennifer Aniston-brand of stardom, there’s no shortage of compliments. While Variety has likened her to Joan Collins, People magazine featured her in 2008’s list of Most Beautiful
Farhan Akhtar
Now here’s a guy who’s as adept in front of the camera, as he is behind it.
The stylish filmmaker turned actor’s focused enthusiasm, urban sensibilities and production support is keenly reflected through a terrific debut in director Abhishek Kapoor’s Rock On! Not to forget his frantic singing skills.
Ladies and Gentleman, Farhan Akhtar -- the rock star!
Miley Cyrus
To think she’s barely 16 but Disney sensation Miley Cyrus had already made it to Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in The World of 2008.
Considering the kind of merchandise she entails, that doesn’t surprise us one bit. The perky star of Hannah Montana series is now gearing up for a motion picture release of the same.
All that heady fame brings its share of infamy too. The teen heartthrob was the cynosure of all eyes for all the wrong reasons when she made a rather controversial ’topless’ appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair’s April issue.
Avika Gor
Move over Prachi Desai, the erstwhile Queen B(ahu) of daily soaps.
Meet Avika Gor, better known as Balika Vadhu’s Anandi.
As the victim of child marriage, the effervescent kiddo is a complete natural conveying the naivety and anxiety of her curious character. Moreover, Indian telly’s youngest beendni (daughter-in-law) has earned quite a fan-following, thanks to the raging popularity of the show on Colors.
11-year-old Avika will also feature in the upcoming Shahid Kapur-starrer Paathshaala.
Dev Patel & Freida Pinto
What’s the difference between watching an Anil Kapoor film and being in one starring the seasoned star? London’s Dev Patel got a first-hand experience of the same when he signed on to play the titular character in Danny Boyle’s Oscar-poised Slumdog Millionaire.
Joining him in his feverish adventures is the lovely Freida Pinto from Mumbai. Though set in India, Slumdog Millionaire is yet to hit local screens, but the film and its sparkling new-finds have generated considerable excitement owing to all the glorious reviews from the international press.
Ashutosh Kaushik
From running a dhaba in Uttar Pradesh to making rotis with Diana Hayden on national television, Ashutosh Kaushik has, as the baap of all cliché³ go, come a long way.
As the winner of two reality shows, MTV’s Roadies and Bigg Boss 2 on Colors, the ’lathmaar’ is busy enjoying the taste of newfound celebrityhood. Hopefully, his much-talked about earthiness and raunchy wit won’t be restricted to a room-filled with 32 cameras alone.
Asin & Anushka Sharma
It’s not just the battle of the Khans-Aamir and Shah Rukh.
Debutante leading ladies, Asin and Anushka Sharma, are also strong contenders for the ’Best Newcomer’ slot with their super-hyped Bollywood releases Ghajini and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, respectively.
While they both look lovely and promising in the promos, who will find the audience’s favour is the question on everyone’s lips. Regardless of how their films fare, we’d like to believe both these actresses are here to stay.
