1 / 5Triptii’s first film wasn’t a glossy rom-com or a big-banner debut vehicle. Laila Majnu (2018), produced by Imtiaz Ali, was intense, emotional and almost old-school in its storytelling. The film didn’t explode at the box office, but Triptii’s performance did something better and it got people talking. You could tell she wasn’t afraid of emotion or heartbreak and that’s the tone she’s carried through every role since2 / 5Shehnaaz Gill’s popularity came from reality TV and music, but her next chapter looks refreshingly different. Ikk Kudi, her upcoming Punjabi film, is something she’s both acting in and producing. That says a lot. She is not about chasing a Bollywood blockbuster; it’s about telling a story she believes in. Directed by Amarjit Singh Saron, the film is said to focus on identity and strength, the themes that echo Shehnaaz’s own journey. Anyone who has watched it has been moved to tears and that’s sure to make her big screen stint memorable! 3 / 5Pratibha Ranta made her debut in Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, a film that’s tender, funny and mostly rebellious. She wasn’t just “introduced” but she owned her space in a story that didn’t need stars to shine. Her natural performance and easy screen presence made her one of the most refreshing faces of the year.4 / 5For her first film, Rasha Thadani walked straight into a period setup. Azaad isn’t your typical “star kid launch.” It’s a historical drama that demands a certain restraint, and that’s what makes her choice interesting. Instead of chasing a glossy love story, Rasha’s picking substance over spotlight was a smart move for someone just starting out.5 / 5Medha Shankar could’ve started with something safer, but she chose Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail, a rooted story about perseverance. Playing Shraddha, she felt like someone you actually know, who is warm and absolutely believable. Her debut wasn’t about glamour and it worked.