TV debutants who rocked in 2012
By Amrita Mulchandani, TNN | Dec 21, 2012, 12.00 AM IST
READ MORE Amrita Mukherjee|Nakuul Mehta|Mala Salariya|Aamir Khan
TOI presents the most noteworthy debutants of television in 2012 who ruled hearts and won TRPs...
Aamir Khan: Aamir Khan, Bollywood's Mr. Perfectionist made his small screen debut with a reality chat show, Satyamev Jayate that aired on Sunday mornings and redefined the weekend programming rules, making other GECs scramble to rework their weekend slots with renewed vigour. It was a well researched marketing strategy to reach out to the lowest common denominators of urban and rural India. The show was simulcast on DD and the main broadcasters' Bengali, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu channels. Highlighting social maladies without getting on a soapbox pedestal seemed pretty effortless when Aamir got into action. And the most heartwrenching moments? When Aamir Khan broke down on national television or when he earned wrath of Khap panchayats and stood his ground. The show ended on a TRP high with talks of a second season already on.
Rishabh Sinha: His messy long locks and live wire presence helps former reality show participant Rishab Sinha light up the screen as the flamboyant and endearing Ayaan Khan in Qubool Hai. If you ignored his heavy Salman Khan hangover (from gait to dialogue delivery and even the early Salman influence in wardrobe), this Gurgaon lad has made sure that he can capture attention even in the presence of seasoned co-stars.
Amrita Mukherjee: Bubbly and vivacious Amrita Mukherjee is the adorable Peehu in Bade Achhe Laggte Hai who made a significant contribution to the show's rising TRPs. Time leaps in TV shows do not go well with audiences always, but Amrita's innocence and great screen rapport with her co-stars Ram Kapoor and Saskhi Tanwar brought back the remote control junkies to the show. A cheerful six year old in real life, Amrita enjoys all the adulation that's come her way and is currently a favourite with brand endorsers too.
Mudit Nayar: This new telly hunk hails from Allahabad and has a degree from the Allahabad University to flaunt. As Jeet in TV show Anamika, he exudes a lot of charm and high energy level on screen. The former reality show participant who played a starring role in the episodic Teri Meri Love Stories opposite Shilpa Anand earlier this year is your average neighbourhood boy poised on the threshold of telly stardom. His USP? He brings with him a refreshing spontaneity which makes him look a natural fit in his current reel outing.
Ekta Kaul: It's not easy to be a small screen soapy bahu. But for someone who started off her career as a corporate professional, Ekta Kaul's effortlessly wearing the bahu's garb with consummate ease in Rab Se Sohna Isshq. As the starry eyed Sahiba who's deserted by her beloved on the wedding day and the way she follows him across continents made youngsters believe that true love exists (in soaps at least). Ekta took her reel life character so seriously, that she even got engaged to her co-actor Kanan Malhotra. Her active lachrymal glands ensured her a pride of place in the telly bahu brigade.
Nakuul Mehta: Erstwhile royal Nakuul Mehta who took that predictable detour via Bollywood (his debut film Haal-e-Dil in 2008 was a box-office cropper) made his presence felt on TV in his first show, Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara which is a TRP-tripper on the channel. Nakuul plays the role of the spoilt rich young man who meets his soulmate in unusual circumstances. Any similarity to Hrithik Roshan in the way Nakuul carries himself in his reel avatar is entirely coincidence of course!
Mala Salariya: A lead role in the opening episode of Teri Meri Love Stories got model Mala Salariya noticed and eventually won her a lead in Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava? after the show's former lead quit. As the fiery, spunky, outspoken and fearless news reporter Ananya, Mala's essaying the role of the girl who holds the antagonist turned protagonist Viraj (Karanvir Bohra)'s attention and affection.
Heema Singh: Hema Singh who played the dominating and over protective ma-in-law Imarti Devi in Kairee — Rishta Khatta Meetha was pure evil through and through. A control freak and matriarch who likes to call the shots in her home as the sole decision maker in the house, the love and happiness, her all-knowing smirk would send shivers down the spine of her reel bahus. She single-handedly carried the show on her ample shoulders and was quite a scene stealing MIL.
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