ALL THE NEW FACES IN BOLLYWOOD 2017

This year, many debutants made their presence felt on the big screen. While some were lauded, others failed to leave a lasting impression. Check out who came and how they all fared

SABA QAMAR

Pakistani actor Saba got a lot of praise for her debut opposite Irrfan in Hindi Medium. Saba was good as the dominating better half in the family; she believed in the power of posh schooling. “She impressed us with her talent,” says trade analyst Atul Mohan. “She was perfect with Irrfan. They complemented each other in the film.”

AADAR JAIN

Raj Kapoor’s grandson, Aadar, played an undertrial inmate who loves music, in Qaidi Band. Critic Omar Qureshi found him talented but feels that the film, a flop, failed him. “He‘ll do well only if he chooses the right projects,” says Qureshi.

KANAN GILL

A comedian and YouTube sensation, Kanan played the role of Sonakshi Sinha’s best friend in Noor. Critic Omar Qureshi believes that he has the spark to do better. Trade analyst Amod Mehra is less impressed with Kanan, and didn’t find his act memorable.

ADNAN SIDDIQUI

Pakistani actor Adnan, a TV star there and a cast member of Hollywood filmmaker Angelina Jolie‘s A Mighty Heart, played Sridevi’s spouse in Mom and got noticed. Trade analysts Komal Nahta and Amod Mehra feel that he made his screen time count — or even shone in some scenes.

MAHIRA KHAN

The Pakistani actor made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees. Trade analyst Atul Mohan says that the pairing clicked but she didn’t get much screen time. “Even so, [her performance] was decent,” he says. However, trade analyst Komal Nahta found her ordinary.

ZHU ZHU

The Chinese actor stepped into Bollywood with Salman Khan’s Eid release, Tubelight. Her acting skills were praised, but the film tanked, and Zhu Zhu reportedly cancelled her India visit. Trade analyst Atul Mohan feels “her character was neither required nor justified”.

SAJAL ALI

Playing Sridevi’s daughter in Mom, the Pakistani actor received a thumbs up. “She was good. And if given more prominence, she‘d have done still better,” says trade analyst Atul Mohan. Analyst Komal Nahta says, “There were moments where Sajal was brilliant in a demanding role.”

MUSTAFA BURMAWALLA

His debut film, Machine, was quite hyped, as he‘s the son of Abbas (of the director-writer duo Abbas-Mustan). Neither the film, nor its hero, however, left a mark on the box office. Trade analyst Atul Mohan thinks he needs to act better.

ANYA SINGH

About her performance in the prison drama Qaidi Band, trade expert Amod Mehra says, “She could’ve done better.” Critic Omar Qureshi thinks that being part of a film that came and went so quickly, made Anya’s performance go unnoticed. “But”, he says, “compared to some others, she was good.”

NIDHHI AGERWAL

Her performance in Munna Michael received a mixed response. Many felt that she could’ve been better in this Tiger Shroff film. “She was okay; must brush up her skills,” says trade analyst Atul Mohan. But analyst Komal Nahta found her talented, quite “fantastic, both in acting and dancing”.