The best debutants of 2008

This year saw many budding talents make their first big screen appearances in leading roles.
Award-winning director Farhan Akhtar took Bollywood by storm with his debut as a rock star in Rock On!! Imran Khan, launched by uncle Aamir Khan, won hearts with his boy-next-door looks in Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na and TV star Rajeev Khandelwal won critical acclaim for his performance in Aamir. PT does a quick poll on who tops the list of best newbies.
Director Sanjay Gupta feels both Imran Khan and Farhan Akhtar turned out to be the best.���They both managed to deliver excellent performances. Imran is a very promising actor and Farhan has his own charm,��� he says.
It���s a tie between Farhan and Rajeev Khandelwal, according to media analyst Anil Wanvari. ���Both are equally brilliant actors. Farhan, who has already achieved a lot of fame as a director, has done extremely well both as an actor and a singer. He has huge mass appeal. Rajeev, on the other hand, believes in keeping a low profile and has carved a niche for himself as a talented actor. He is someone who likes his work to do the talking,��� says Anil.
According to actress Jennifer Kotwal, it is Farhan who has all that it takes. ���He rocked in his debut film. He has great screen presence and seems like a perfectionist. He is one of the best actors of this era,��� she adds.
Director Atul Agnihotri vouches for Imran Khan as being the most promising debutant. ���I think he is very patient and smart, and waits for the right kind of roles. Also, he has good influences around him. So, he has lot of scope to become one of the most sought-after actors in Bollywood,��� he adds.
VJ Cyrus Sahukar also feels that Imran has got it all right. ���He has great poise. I think he is one of those rare ���thinking��� actors who���s already done some very interesting work. He is hardworking and knows what he wants for himself. So, undoubtedly, he is the best debutant of the year,��� says Cyrus.
Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh agrees Imran has outshone everyone. ���He���s oozing talent and has proved it in both his films. Even if Kidnap wasn���t a big hit, Imran���s performance stood out and he was able to hold his own against a veteran like Sanjay Dutt,��� he points out.