SUNDAY, JANUARY 01, 2017 (PAGE 4) Bollywood 2016: Alpha star-spotting As the year almost draws to a close, Supriyo Hazra reviews the past 12 months to check how the leading stars of the dazzling B-town fared this year Aamir Khan: The superstar took two years break and he is ence one major hit movie every year during the festive season of back once again as a wrestler in his upcoming release ‘Dangal’. Eid. Salman Khan was back again on the small screen hosting the Aamir Khan Productions 'Dangal' produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran tenth edition of popular reality show Bigg Boss. He will be back Rao & Siddharth Roy Kapur and directed by Nitesh Tiwari is slat- next year again on the big screen with ‘Tubelight’. However, 2016, ed to release on Dec 23. Dangal trailer, having a high dose of emo- also saw the actor once again triggering a major controversy when tions has been winning accolades from across quarters. The crux "raped woman" comment had earned him immense criticisms. Sal- of Mahaveer Phogat's biopic, the Father-Daughter story has struck im Khan, father of Salman Khan, even issued an apology for his chords with the masses worldwide.Apart from the movie, Aamir son's controversial remark in which he compared his hectic shoot- Khan’s physical transformation into the character also earned atten- ing schedule for movie ‘Sultan’ with a “raped woman”. tion of his fans. Christmas is surely going to be different this year Shraddha Kapoor: Delivering a hit with Tiger Shroff in with Aamir promising to deliver with his new release. Baaghi, made Shraddha start the year with a bang. She then teamed Aishwarya Rai: Hoax was one major upsetting incident which up with Farhan Akhtar for their musical film 'Rock On 2'. Howev- hit Aishwarya Rai’s life at the end of the year. False death rumours, er, the movie failed to create the magic which 'Rock On' had cre- and specially reports claimed that the gorgeous former Miss World ated. had allegedly attempted suicide, went viral on social networking Sonam Kapoor: She was one actress to look out for in 2016, sites and blogs. It was only after the actress was seen at a party giving India a new meaning to patriotism, as Sonam Kapoor won- thrown by celebrity designer Manish Malhotra that the rumour was derfully played the character of Neerja Bhanot, who sacrificed her punctured. But, yes, the Indian beauty too became a victim of hoax life while saving passengers from terrorists on board the hijacked which has affected hundreds of celebrities across the globe over dialogues. He ended the year with hopes of giving his fans anoth- screen space with Bollywood’s Barbie Doll and Kapur. The film, Pan Am Flight 73 on 5 September 1986, in the movie tiled after the years. Away from such false rumours, Aishwarya made a strong er brilliant performance in Jolly LLB 2. The movie promises to be despite much expectations, could not spell a magic at the Box her ‘Neerja’. Directed by Ram Madhvani, Neerja will remain as one big entertainer from the superstar in 2017. The film is sched- Office. With trailers and teasers creating much hype, Katrina and one glorious chapter in the career of Sonam. The film made remark- uled to hit the silver screen on February 10. Jolly LLB2 is the sequel Sidharth Malhotra came up with Baar Baar Dekho in September able performance at the Box Office. to the 2013 courtroom comedy drama Jolly LLB. this year. The movie gained moderately good response at the Box Sidharth Malhotra: Sidharth begun the year with a bang as Amitabh Bachchan: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan continued Office. he teamed up with his former colleague Alia Bhatt to charm the to thrill his lovers by his strong performance in movies-Wazir, Te3n Katrina’s fans had something to cheer about in 2016 as the gor- audience in Kapoor & Sons. The movie garnered positive response and then Pink. His last release Pink turned out to be one of the geous diva joined Facebook and till today, she had kept sharing at the Box Office. He then teamed up with Katrina Kaif in ‘Bar Bar major releases of the year. His strong show in the movie charmed interesting facts and her travel photographs to both his fans and critics. Eventually, the film was also invited for keep her lovers hooked to the profile. a special screening at the United Nations headquarters in New York Kangana Ranaut: Bollywood’s queen City. In Wazir, Bachchan was seen competing with another talent- Kangana had a silent 2016 with no releases but ed actor Farhan Akhtar. she will be back onscreen in 2017 with ‘Sim- Bipasha Basu: The big breaking news of the year came when ran’. Directed by Hansal Mehta, the film is Bong beauty Bipasha Basu married ‘Alone’ co-star Karan Singh scheduled to hit the silver screen on Sept 15. Grover on April 30, 2016. Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Starting Deepika Padukone: Bollywood with Raman Raghav 2.0, Te3n and beauty and lucky charm, Deepika then Freaky Ali, Nawaz, who is Padukone walked her way to known for his brilliance international fame when she onscreen, might not finished off shooting for have tasted much her debut Hollywood success at the movie xXx: The Box Office Return of Xander in 2016, Cage.She will be but he sharing the screen promises space with interna- to make it return to the big screen as she was seen in Karan Johar’s major tional superstar big next release of the year. Portraying the bold and beautiful character of Vin Diesel in the year when Saba Taliyar Khan has gained immense appreciations from her fans. movie. The trailer he will be She was seen romancing actor Ranbir Kapoor in the movie, mak- and Deepika’s seen sharing the ing movie lovers fall in love with a new Jodi onscreen. presence as hot and screen space with Anushka Sharma: She continued to be the lucky charm of Bol- glamourous Serena superstar Shah Rukh lywood in 2016 too as both her releases- Sultan and Ae Dil Hai Unger in it, has Khan in January release Mushkil- made roaring business at the Box Office. Her perform- already set the stage ‘Raees’. The trailer, ance as a wrestler in Salman Khan’s ‘Sultan’ gained attention as on fire. Back in Bolly- which features Nawaz and SRK, has already creat- Dekho’. Though the film created my hype with its trailer, but the she practiced hard, learning wrestling moved, proved she is one wood, the actress is ed hype about the movie. Hopefully, it will be able to eventually it could not keep up the magic at the Box Office. Yet, such actors in the industry who takes her job seriously. She also working on Sanjay Leela deliver the first major hits of next year. The film is sched- the pair of Katrina and Sidharth was loved by young movie goers. delivered a powerhouse performance in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. In her Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’. uled to be released on January 25. Shah Rukh Khan: Despite gifting Fan at the beginning of the personal life too, Anushka and her relationship with Indian Test Deepika has now days is reading Priyanka Chopra: Every passing year is bringing glory year, Shah Rukh Khan waited to present something bigger in skipper Virat Kohli kept the newsmen busy. They were also spot- historic books for her upcoming film for India’s international star Priyanka Chopra. 2016, remained one November when he was back on screen with young Alia Bhatt in ted at Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech's wedding in Padmavati. Deepika started reading novels more special year for her. The Indian diva, who was ranked 8 on their philosophical journey in ‘Dear Zindagi. The movie not only Goa this year. Interestingly, she was quoted as saying by the media pertaining to the Rajputana era as she is playing the role of Queen the Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid TV actresses of 2016, won hearts but also made it good at the Box Office. Shah Rukh that she will love to settle one day and ‘marriage’ is indeed on her Padmavati in her next film Padmavati. In fact she is captivated with presented an Oscar this year to make it one memorable 2016 in her Khan as Dr. Jahangir Khan (Jug) was appreciated. Besides, his cards. that era as it tells the tales of heroism, love and passion, how the life. Priyanka, who has shot to international fame with her appear- small cameo in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was fresh and was loved by Rajputs lived, their diet and social life. ance in Quantico, was nominated for her second People's Choice his fans all over. Khan will be back next year in January with Emraan Hashmi: In a year that witnessed movies based on Award for the American television series. She was back with the ‘Raees’. The trailer of the movie has already created a hype about two major cricket stars of India, Emraan tried to strongly portray second season of the show and most importantly completed shoot- the movie. former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin in the movie ‘Azhar ing for her debut Hollywood movie ‘Baywatch’ which will also Sunny Leone: She may have arrived in the tinsel world from ‘.The film was moderately successful at the Box Office, but was features superstar Dwayne Johnson. The trailer has already been an unconventional background, but Sunny has once again made her highly praised for its acting and storytelling style.