New faces keep fingers crossed

Flavour of 2002, Vivek Oberoi, with three nominations (Company, Road, Saathiya) is a strong contender, especially for his role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company.

Vivek was last year’s hottest entrant into Bollywood, his star tag a far cry from his father Suresh Oberoi, a character actor at best, who reportedly came to Mumbai with just Rs 400 in his pocket. Company pitchforked Vivek to the limelight, while Shaad Ali’s Saathiya (for which he also has a Best Actor nomination) confirmed him as a consummate actor.

In the beta brigade are two others — Arya Babbar (Ab Ke Baras) and Lucky Ali (Sur). The O! Sanam singer, also nominated for the Best Playback Singer (Sur), could spring a surprise.

Another crooner, Palash Sen (Filhaal), is also in the fight for the newcomer’s trophy. ‘‘I’m delighted they have recognised a role I never thought they would care to see. I’m a doctor who always wanted to be a singer. Filhaal’s subject appealed to me. And I found myself working alongside accomplished actors like Tabu and Sushmita,’’ says Sen. ‘‘I definitely got disturbed by Filhaal’s bad reviews. But then our critics can’t digest anything that’s not an extended shaadi video.’’

Sonu Sood’s performance in the patriotic film Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh was noticed too.

Dream girl Hema Malini’s beti Esha Deol (Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum and Kya Dil Ne Kaha) may just find it a cakewalk. Like other star kids, Esha had a hyped debut in Koi Mere… opposite Aftab Shivdasani. However, her most talked about role till date is the one in Kya Dil Ne Kaha, opposite Tusshar Nikamma Kapoor. She was even paired with heartthrob Hrithik Roshan (Na Tum…) where they fall in love without seeing each other.

Gauri Karnik (Sur) is another promising actress who ‘‘never planned’’ to be in cinema. ‘‘I come from a non-filmi background. But then, after doing some modelling, I did a few serials like Milan and Hamara Tumhara. I’m delighted that I made it to the nominations,’’ says Karnik.

Pooja Bhatt may have given Karnik a break, but the former Xaverian now has a ‘‘good role’’ in Smita Thackeray’s forthcoming Hum Jo Keh Na Paye. She is looking forward to the awards’ night, but shrugs: ‘‘If I don’t get the award, I won’t be disappointed because I didn’t expect it in the first place.’’

Karnik is keeping her cool. So are the other contestants Amrita Rao (Ab Ke Baras), Dipanita (16th December) and Sanjana (Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai). And there will be tremendous pressure on whoever wins, courtesy their next releases. For confirmation, just look at Hrithik Roshan.