Show Stoppers: Four actors who delivered breakout performances in 2023

As the year draws to an end, here’s a look at the actors who stood out in the crowded entertainment space.

Alizeh Agnihotri, Wamiqa Gabbi, Gagan Dev Riar, Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju

Alizeh Agnihotri, Wamiqa Gabbi, Gagan Dev Riar and Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju delivered breakout performances in 2023.

The year 2023 showcased several fresh talents as well as brought to the fore the work of several actors, who finally bagged meaty roles that helped them grab audience attention. We spoke to four such actors about their journey, process and projects.

Actor Gagan Dev Riar, 41, who has been a known name in Mumbai theatre, not only played the protagonist of a web-series — Scam 2003 on SonyLIV — for the first time, but also received critical appreciation for his compelling performance as Abdul Karim Telgi, who had masterminded a counterfeit stamp paper scam. Earlier, Gagan had acted in Abhishek Chaubey-directed Sonchiriya (2019) and Mira Nair-directed A Suitable Boy. Essaying this role, however, required extensive preparation as Gagan had to gain around 10 kilos; learn to deliver his dialogues in Hindi laced with a Dakhni accent; and figure out the character’s body language. READ MORE HERE.

In early 2019, actor Wamiqa Gabbi, 30, was beginning to question if she was meant to have a successful career in acting. The actor, who first appeared in a lead role with Punjabi-language Sixteen (2013), had been part of several talked-about movies such as Nikka Zaildar 2 (2017) and Parahuna (2018) in Punjabi, Godha (2017) in Malayalam, and Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam (2016) in Tamil, was looking for more challenging roles. Even though she had spent nearly seven years in Mumbai by then, few interesting offers had come her way. That year in March, she auditioned for Midnight’s Children and was shortlisted. Later, she was chosen to play the role of Parvati. Though the production of the show, which was to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, was cancelled, it led to Gabbi bagging several major projects. Four such projects — Jubilee, Modern Love Chennai, Charlie Chopra and Khufiya — released this year, making her an actor to watch out for. READ MORE HERE.

Doctor-turned-actor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju’s appearance in Made in Heaven 2 as wedding planner Meher was a significant step towards inclusive casting. With the docu-series Rainbow Rishta giving us a peek into the transgender actor’s life and journey, her story got a lot of attention. Vocal about issues related to gender and LGBTQIA+ community on social media, Trinetra is also known as a content creator. Describing the year 2023 as “wild”, Trinetra says: “There have been several personal and professional milestones this year. Not many people — whether they are transgender or not — get opportunities like these. So, I thank my stars.” READ MORE HERE.

Alizeh Agnihotri, 27, made her acting debut as a brilliant high school student, who is drawn into a cheating racket, in Farrey. The launch of Alizeh — who is the daughter of producer-costume designer Alvira Khan Agnihotri and actor Atul Agnihotri — in a non-glamorous role in a thriller demanded that she deliver a gripping performance. The graduate from SOAS University of London in developmental studies worked hard to ensure that. The debutant actor talks about her career choice, the training she underwent and being referred to as ‘Salman Khan’s niece’. READ MORE HERE.

Alaka Sahani

Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism. Expertise & Accolades In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023. Global Industry Leadership Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies: Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema. Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends. Focus & Vision Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More