What Anurag Kashyap, Farah Khan and Karan Johar have to say on 2007′s top debutants, Imran Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Harman Baweja and Nikhil Dwivedi. In the next six months, Bollywood will welcome 15 male newcomers to the silver screen, which is the largest number of debutants hitting the marquee in the history of tinsel town. Three top filmmakers – Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Farah Khan – who excel in their respective genere of filmmaking, share their opinions on Ranbir Kapoor, Harman Baweja, Nikhil Dwivedi and Imran Khan – the top four of these newcomers with BT. Ranbir is being introduced in Saawariyaa opposite newcomer Sonam Kapoor and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Harman is in Love Story 2050 opposite Priyanka Chopra and directed by Harry Baweja. Nikhil Dwivedi is in My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves opposite Amrita Rao and directed by E Niwas. And, Imran in Jaane Na Jaane Tu opposite Genelia and directed by Abbas Tyrewala.
ANURAG KASHYAP
Imran Khan: I have seen some of the short films directed by him. I know that he’ll become a brilliant filmmaker. He’s got Mansoor Khan’s elements. It’s great to see him acting, but I still want to see him making films.
Ranbir Kapoor: I hope Ranbir is like his parents. He’s more like Neetu. I believe he is a natural actor, and why not, coming from the family he does. He’ll prove to be one of the best the industry has seen.
Nikhil Dwivedi: I have seen a few rushes of his film. Nikhil’s confidence, energy and enthusiasm make up for many other things that he might be lacking. He reminds me of Shah Rukh Khan in his early days.
Harman Baweja: Harman is very comfortable in front of the camera. He has done his homework well. Looking at these next generation boys, I don’t have any doubts aboutthem at all. They all are a bunch of talented hardworking people.
FARAH KHAN
Imran: I haven’t seen his work but have heard good things about him. I’m very curious about him as he belongs to the Nasir Husain family.
Ranbir: Ranbir has got the Kapoor genes in him, half his battle is won, but the expectations also rise higher. He’s the biggest launch of the year. I think he’ll be great.
Nikhil: He’s the least filmy of the lot. He’s clearly a dark horse, with zero expectations right now, but with time he is surely going to be amongst the top.
Harman: I know he dances really well! Being a producer’s son will help him a lot. He will be more hard-working as compared to others as he’s seen the other side of the camera since his early days.
KARAN JOHAR
Imran: I’ve heard he’s fantastic in the film. The word of mouth is great about him. He is unconventional as an actor but great.
Ranbir: He’s being launched by the best director, he comes from a dream family, it’s a super inning coming up. He surely inherits the Kapoor family’s qualities.
Nikhil: He just transforms in front of the camera . He’s absolutely photogenic and has the right amount of energy on screen. I think he is going to be extremely popular.
Harman: I saw a few rushes of his film. He is terrific. I think he’s got the confidence of doing a number of films already, he’s perfect and looks so sure of himself.
