Sushant Singh and the rise of the TV star

Television addicts in India recognise Sushant Singh Rajput from the Balaji Telefilms stable. Starting out as an actor, he starred in serials like 'Pavitra Rishta' and 'Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil'. Soon, he was making an effortless leap on to the big screen in the film 'Kai Po Che!' Since then, he has gone on to star as the lead in 'Shuddh Desi Romance', 'PK' and 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!'

When he made his debut in 'Vicky Donor', nobody gave him a chance. But the former Roadies winner made quite an impact with his brash attitude onscreen. Winning the reality show in 2005 was the first step for the boy from Chandigarh. He worked as a VJ on MTV before he got his first break in 'Vicky Donor'. Following up the indie hit with 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha', Ayushmann has become one of the major stars of the independent cinema revolution in Bollywood.

As the quiet, shy, Bani on Ekta Kapoor's Kasamh Se, Prachi Desai became the darling of households across India. Her pretty face and quiet nature got her the role of the subdued wife in Farhan Akhtar's rock saga, Rock On. It kickstarted her career. Soon, she was playing the lead in films like Life Partner, Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, Bol Bachchan and Ek Villain. She is all set to star in the sequel to Rock On 2.
 

As the confused, scared, Dr.Aamir Ali, Rajeev Khandelwal put in a sterling performance in his debut film 'Aamir'. The handsome actor had made a long journey from being a face for brands in advertisement, to his lead role in the serial 'Kahin to Hoga', before arriving on the big screen. Since then, he seems to have returned to the smaller screen starring in the news flick 'Reporters'.

This Punjabi beauty from Chandigarh was a regular on daily soaps like 'Chaand Ke Paar Chalo', 'Raajkumar Aryann' and 'Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam'. In 2012, her controlled performance in the sleeper hit 'Vicky Donor' earned her rave reviews. She continued her roll with films like 'Badlapur' and 'Action Jackson'. But it was down South that she really found success with films like the Tamil film 'Gouravam' and the Telugu hit 'Yuddham'.

Bollywood's current blue eyed boy, Irrfan Khan had a long and hard journey to stardom. Having graduated from the National School of Drama in Delhi, he arrived in Bombay almost broke. He spent the 90s working his way through television series like 'Banegi Apni Baat', Chandrakanta, and 'Sparsh'. It was only in 2004 that he made his explosive debut in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Haasil. Since then, the talented actor has won a National Award, the Padma Shri and has starred alongside Spiderman, and Tom Hanks. Quite a leap that!
 

The star of Mani Ratnam's runaway hit 'Alaipayuthey' started out as a supporting actor in Hindi television serials. From the cool guy in 'Banegi Apni Baat' to the south Indian son-in-law to Satish Kaushik in 'Ghar Jamai', Madhavan took up a wide range of roles. Although his breakthrough film was Tamil, some of his major hits like 3 Idiots, Rang De Basanti, Tanu Weds Manu have been in Hindi. Currently, the actor is down South working on his film 'Irudhi Sutru' based on a boxing coach.

'The Dirty Picture' actress set the screen on fire with her sensuous presence as the southern siren, but she started her on screen life quite demurely. As the shy, hearing impaired Radhika in the comic series 'Hum Paanch' Vidya Balan was overshadowed by Tanaaz Currim and the others. Even as she was pursuing her Masters in Sociology, she acted in several films down south. It was her debut in Pradeep Sarkar's adaptation of the Sarat Chandra Chatterjee classic 'Parineeta' that marked her as a future star. Since then, she has gone on to win the National Award once and the Filmfare Award five times.
 

Having made his debut in 1992's 'Jaan Tere Naam', Ronit Roy continued to do bit part roles in several blockbusters like 'Hulchul', 'Sainik', 'Army'. But his stars started shining only after he signed for Ekta Kapoor's mega serial 'Kasautii Zindaggi Kay'. His steady, confident performance brought him to the notice of several directors. Since his performance in 'Udaan', his career seems to have taken off again. Though he returns to the small screen occasionally.

In 2006, Pulkit made his debut in one of the greatest sagas on the small screen 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. His performance and dashing personality earned him the Best Fresh Face award at the Indian Telly Awards. Soon, he was making a splash on the big screen with 'Bittoo Boss'. Though the film flopped miserably, Pulkit managed to swim out of it and into interesting roles like 'Fukrey', 'Jai Ho' and 'Dolly ki Doli'.

Having starred in the desi version of 'Ugly Betty', Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, Mona Singh turned her sights to films.. However, the talented actress couldn't find willing directors to offer her lead roles. Her best role till now remains playing the woman who got a child delivered by Aamir Khan using a vaccuum cleaner in 3 Idiots.
 

As the sardonic sister in law in the epic saga 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', Ketki Dave gave some legendary bahus of Indian television a good run for money with her 'Aa ra ra' routine. However, the big screen did not give her much of a chance. A thespian of Gujarati theatre, she was reduced to playing the vamp or the comic sidekick. After forgettable roles in 'Aamdani Athanni Kharcha Rupaiya', 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' and 'Money Hai to Honey Hai', she found some comfort in playing Sonam Kapoor's mother in 'I Hate Love Storys'.
 

The Pakistani heartthrob was first spotted on screen opposite Naseeruddin Shah in the critically acclaimed 'Khudaa Kayy Liye'. His beginnings however, were much smaller. As a 19 year old, he appeared on Pakistani television playing a bumbling detective in the series Jutt and Bond, before going on to other serials like 'Dastaan' and 'Humsafar'. His suave style ensured that he caught the eyes of directors across the border, who cast him as the royal prince opposite Sonam Kapoor in 'Khoobsurat'.