Emergence of actors who do not have a starry lineage!

Actors who proved their mettle in different formats in 2023, are Prajakta Koli, Hina Khan, Bhuvan Bam, Sobhita Dhulipala, Karishma Tanna, and Shehnaaz Gill. They proved this year that their versatility is limitless.

In the era of independent content creation, multiple entertainment formats, and streaming platforms, there are diverse opportunities available to authentic talent. This year, we saw the emergence of actors who do not have a starry lineage or a massive support system promoting them and yet they managed to shine and carve a niche of their own. And they did so on the basis of their versatility, focus, and legions of fans who love and respect them for their self-made success.

Prajakta Koli : Prajakta’s creative journey is as multi-faceted as she is, and it began with her YouTube channel, ‘Mostlysane,’ way back in 2015. Her comical skits and observational comedy made her a household name, and in July 2020, she released ‘Khayali Pulao,’ marking the beginning of her career beyond micro-content. Fast forward to 2023, and she is sharing screen space with some of the biggest stars in the business. She was seen in the Anil Kapoor and Varun Dhawan starrer ‘Jugjugg Jeeyo’, Vidya Balan’s ‘Neeyat’ and has also confirmed the third season of the coming-of-age OTT hit ‘Mismatched’. And she did all this on her own steam. She recently made her teleplay debut with Zee Theatre’s ‘Yeh Shaadi Nahin Ho Sakti’ and convincingly played a love-lorn bride in waiting in the Akarsh Khurana directorial. She has proven that with strategic creative decisions, the willingness to adapt, and an abundance of talent, no goal is unachievable.

Hina Khan : Hina Khan’s journey began in 2008 when she auditioned for ‘Indian Idol’. She then landed a pivotal part in the soap ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ and made her television debut in 2009. In 2016, she quit the show to pursue other opportunities and a year later became the 1st runner-up in the reality show, ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’. After two stints in the show ‘Bigg Boss, multiple music videos, short films, and TV parts, in 2020, she made her B-Town debut with Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Hacked.’ This year the queen of television made her debut in theatre world with the teleplay ‘Shadyantra’. In this Zee Theatre teleplay directed by Ganesh Yadav, she plays a woman caught in a deadly conspiracy. Her performance, layered with vulnerability and steely strength has proven her versatility once again.

Bhuvan Bam : Comedian, writer, singer, actor, songwriter, and YouTube personality Bhuvan Bam, first gained recognition via a viral video satirizing a news reporter’s insensitive questions during the Kashmir floods. This video, which went viral across the border as well, inspired him to launch his own YouTube channel, ‘BB Ki Vines’ in June 2015. He amassed millions of subscribers, released music videos, and appeared in a short film and then in December 2018, launched a new YouTube series called ‘Titu Talks’ where Shahrukh Khan was his first guest. Another YouTube show ‘Dhindhora’ became a massive hit and this year, he made his OTT debut with ‘Taaza Khabar’ and ‘Rafta Rafta’ and is on his way to many more substantial acting roles.

Sobhita Dhulipala : As the beguilingly beautiful Tara Khanna in the two seasons of OTT hit ‘Made in Heaven,’ Sobhita Dhulipala has announced her arrival as an actor to watch out for. The charismatic star was first noticed as a contestant at the Femina Miss India pageant in 2013, and since then has gracefully transitioned to cinematic and OTT eminence. From her debut in Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Raman Raghav 2.0’ to her roles in hits like ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ and ‘Major,’ and her towering presence in ‘The Night Manager’, Sobhita’s journey showcases her ability to command respect on her own terms.

Karishma Tanna : Karishma Tanna, a renowned name from the television realm, has effortlessly transitioned into the digital landscape. She first came into the limelight thanks to the TV serial ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ and after establishing herself firmly with multiple television hits, she made her film debut with Suneel Darshan’s ‘Dosti: Friends Forever’ in 2006. This was followed by a role in Indra Kumar’s comedy ‘Grand Masti’ and in 2018, she featured in Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘Sanju’. Her debut in the digital realm was with the web series ‘Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat’ and this year, she created a sensation with her performance in Hansal Mehta’s series ‘Scoop.’ Her success serves as a testament to her adaptability as an actor.

Shehnaaz Gill: Shehnaaz Gill is a bundle of surprises. She is not only an actor and singer who works in Punjabi and Hindi television as well as cinema but also has a commerce degree. Her career began in 2015 with a music video which led to acting parts in Punjabi cinema but pan-Indian fame came in 2019, when Gill participated in Bigg Boss 13, where she finished in third place. Her career has now successfully transitioned from the Punjabi industry to Bollywood blockbusters. Her debut in the Salman Khan starrer ‘Kisika Bhai Kisiki Jaan’ and her latest role in ‘Thank You For Coming’ alongside Bhumi Pednekar underscores her steady rise to stardom.

Keerti Kadam