Actors PIXS: Alia Bhatt, Sara Ali Khan to Ananya Panday: Under 30 in demand in Bollywood

Age is not just a number for actors. But, there is definitely a premium on youth...

Catch them young and watch them grow is not just ‘a’ phrase in showbiz. People have often accused Karan Johar of nepotism. However, what they have failed to notice is that as a filmmaker, he also spots young talent and nurtures them. He has admitted that one of the advantages of doing this is “being able to seamlessly mould them.”

1. Alia Bhatt: 25 - The darling of the masses

When Karan Johar signed Alia Bhatt for Student Of The Year (2012), she was 19! The fact that she was raw and slightly chubby then didn’t deter Karan from signing on this determined youngster in whom he saw “absolutely great potential.” He recalls her enthusiasm on set then and admits that she has the same enthusiasm even now. Not only is she an extra special actor, but she is also determined to push her potential to the maximum.

Echoing a somewhat similar sentiment, her Gully Boy director Zoya Akhtar recently said, “Alia is special, she operates from an instinct that is so powerful. She follows her gut. She has so centered within herself that it comes through in her performances. She is at the moment. I think that allows her to make her choices and play the characters that she does. She is a dream to work with. I can’t wait to collaborate with her again.”

Karan and Zoya are not the only two filmmakers who wish to continue their collaboration with the 25-year-old actress. She has her father, Mahesh Bhatt waiting for the moment when he will direct his youngest daughter in Sadak 2. And of course, there are just so many more filmmakers of repute, who wish to court her on set.

The important thing in all this is to notice Alia’s growth as an actor. Film producer and distributor NR Pachisia says, “I have seen most of her films including Raazi and Gully Boy. She has an ability to transform beautifully into the character she portrays. And therein lies the secret of her screen magic.”

Today, Alia, who will turn 26 on March 15, is already the No.1 actress. Her performance has been applauded in films such as Highway (2014), Udta Punjab (2016), Raazi (2018) and the recently-released Gully Boy. Apart from this, she also rocked the box office with Student Of The Year, the Badrinath series (2014, 2017) and Two States (2014).

2. Sara Ali Khan: 23 - A star is born

Following Alia, albeit at a great distance, is Sara Ali Khan. This star kid, whose career started with hiccups, won accolades and rewards last year with Kedarnath and Simmba. While she displayed her acting mettle in the former, in the latter, she was the perfect ‘decorative’ item for the hero to serenade. Nevertheless, this 23-year-old has what it takes to make it bigger, provided, of course, she remains focused and level-headed in the next few years.

3. Janhvi Kapoor: 21 - Poised for big things

Janhvi Kapoor (the late Sridevi and Boney Kapoor’s older daughter), too, has the makings of a superstar. Born with the proverbial silver spoon, this Dharma Productions’ protégée displayed ‘star’ qualities in her maiden venture Dhadak (2018), which was co-produced by Dharma and Zee Studios.

Currently, she is shooting for the biopic of Gunjan Saxena (the IAF’s first female combat pilot, who took part in the 1999 Kargil War) in Lucknow. She also has Karan Johar’s Takht and a film opposite Varun Dhawan in her kitty. Fortunate to have Karan as her Godfather, this youngster has the potential to scale greater heights.


4. Bhumi Pednekar: 29 - The powerhouse performer

Aditya Chopra, another filmmaker who is known to spot talent and watch it grow, did it right with Bhumi Pednekar. Bhumi, who was previously part of Yash Raj Films’ casting division, and was once known for her girth, has an enviable body of work today. Even before she turns 30 this July, she has won accolades for each and every movie in which she has worked, right from her debut film Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) to Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017). Her turn as a domestic help in last year’s anthology Lust Stories, which was screened on an OTT platform, was also widely appreciated.
  
5. Disha Patani: 26 - Her brand value is high

Also slated for big time is Disha Patani. At present, her career graph is moving slowly. But her lithe physique and pleasant face will find her lots of work in the coming years. Today, apart from an enviable list of her brand endorsements, her biggest achievement is a role in Salman Khan’s forthcoming Eid release Bharat (which also stars Katrina Kaif), but if she keeps her head screwed firmly on her perfect shoulders, this girl with the hourglass figure will have many more takers in the future.

6. Kriti Sanon: 28 - The explorer of new territories

Besides Aditya and Karan, another maker who is always on the lookout for talent is Sajid Nadiadwala. His Heropanti (2014) heroine, Kriti Sanon made heads turn with her confident act in her debut film. And though the model-turned-actress made several boo-boos by the time she got to the noteworthy Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), this girl has a chance to climb the ladder, provided, of course, she doesn’t get tempted to be a flowerpot in films that are just male-dominated.

7. Other Actresses Under 30

Ananya Panday: 19

Tara Sutaria: 23

Kiara Advani: 26

Athiya Shetty: 26