Act One

The new men of Bollywood are ready to update the pecking order. From a breakout star to an indie darling, film critic Rajeev Masand rounds up this year’s scene-stealers

KARTIK AARYAN <THE REAL DEAL>

Heartthrob of the Snapchat generation, his wide grin and signature quiff have alone launched a thousand memes. His performance in Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018) had the depth of a potted plant, but the film’s decidedly frat-boy take on friendship touched a chord and a star was born. What sets Kartik Aaryan apart from the dozen-odd hopefuls clamouring for a bite of the big screen is his authentic demeanour combined with a goofiness that seems to come naturally to him. In this year’s vapid heartland-set romantic comedy Luka Chuppi, the 28-year-old came off as the only thing that felt even remotely real. And next, he pairs up with Sara Ali Khan, another millennial favourite, for Imtiaz Ali’s sequel to Love Aaj Kal (2009).

SIDDHANT CHATURVEDI

When MC Sher first blazes onto the screen in Gully Boy, furiously rapping “Bhaag bhaag bhaag, sher aaya sher,” Ranveer Singh’s character, Murad, noticeably straightens up, as if asking, “Who is this guy?” It’s the same question that pretty much everyone asked on their way out of the cinema, turning the fresh-faced Siddhant Chaturvedi into a breakout star. He stood out because he brought leading-man looks and screen presence to what was, essentially, a character role. Evidence of his chameleonlike ability to become the character comes from watching him as the rookie fast bowler Prashant Kanaujia in Inside Edge. Scrawny and uncertain, in that persona he’s aeons apart from his Gully Boy avatar. This June, he brought some of that Smartmouth Sher to his dub for Chris Hemsworth’s character in the Hindi version of Men In Black: International, and if rumours are to be believed, he’s being wooed by everyone from Karan Johar to Yash Raj Films for future projects. Looks like iska time aa gaya!

VIKRANT MASSEY