Journalism of Courage
In the new age of information and technology, the popularity of celebrities has also gone digital. In Google's list of most searched actors - Salman Khan is at the top, followed by close buddy Shah Rukh Khan and actor Akshay Kumar.
Salman Khan: Love him or hate him, you simply cannot ignore him. Salman Khan has been followed with interest this year due to his much talked-about hit-and-run case verdict. Also, his films 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' did exceptionally well. Apart from that, the actor does host popular reality television show, 'Bigg Boss', which is in its ninth season. Salman Khan is also gearing up for his next film Sultan for which he turns wrestler.
Shah Rukh Khan: Apart from being the reigning Khan, Shah Rukh Khan topped Forbes list of richest Indian celebrities. Shah Rukh Khan's constant social media updates keep him in the news as well. However, it is his big release this year, 'Diwale' with Kajol that has everybody talking.
Akshay Kumar: The Bollywood Khiladi has had four releases this past year - 'Baby, Gabbar is Back', 'Brothers' and 'Singh is Bliing' and all of these were hits. He is also currently shooting for his next two films - 'Airlift' and 'Housefull 3', which also has people talking. We guess he owes a little bit of his popularity credit to wife Twinkle Khanna aka Mrs FunnyBones who has also made news this year.
Shahid Kapoor: It's no surprise that the once-eligible bachelor was one of the most searched actors in 2015. His big fat wedding to Delhi-based Mira Rajput received wide coverage and so did his promotional activities for 'Shaandaar'. Shahid's pics with Mira post wedding, their first appearance together in public for a fashion show has always kept the youngster in news.
Hrithik Roshan: It has been a while since we've seen Hrithik onscreen, but, the actor simply cannot be forgotten. He was also named as number 2 on the list of Asia's sexiest men. He will next be seen in Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Mohenjo Daro'.
Ranbir Kapoor: Despite of having unsuccessful releases in the recent past, Ranbir Kapoor's reunion with former flame, Deepika Padukone had everybody interested. And of course, rumours about his engagement to Katrina Kaif and now a supposed breakup makes for good reads.
Aamir Khan: It's surprising to see Aamir Khan at No. 7, considering the stir the actor created by his statement at the Ramnath Goenka Awards. Apart from that, Aamir Khan has been shooting for his film, 'Dangal', where he plays a wrestler.
Varun Dhawan: The actor joined the list owning to his part in 'Dilwale' along with Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Kriti Sanon. The team has left no stone unturned in terms of promotions for the film. He was also appreciated for his work in revenge drama 'Badlapur' and later for his dance moves in 'ABCD 2.'
Amitabh Bachchan: Bollywood's megastar remains at the top of the list of most followed Indian celebrities on social media. Amitabh Bachchan had two releases - 'Piku' and 'Shamitabh'. The actor was much in news for riding a bicycle at the age of 72 and recently he was seen driving a scooter.
Ajay Devgn: The actor had one release this year, 'Drishyam'. He was also in news for his next home production 'Shivaay' plus working with wife Kajol again.
Sunny Leone - Former adult-film actress Sunny Leone, who is now successfully carving a place for herself in Bollywood, topped the list when it came to the ladies. No doubt, Sunny Leone has a number of fans and has definitely piqued the interest of her followers. Named in an obscenity case filed by a Mumbai housewife; blamed for the increase in rapes due to her condom ad; her sizzling appearance in the films 'Ek Paheli Leela', 'Kuch Kuch Locha Hai' and a music video she featured in titled Super Girl From China which was slammed for being sexist may have been contributing factors.
Katrina Kaif - She's Salman Khan's ex and Ranbir Kapoor's current love. Owning to her romantic equation with Ranbir, Katrina Kaif is always being looked up for news - be it engagement or breakup rumours. Katrina Kaif was also in news for her debut at the prestigious Cannes red carpet.
Deepika Padukone: Everything she touches turns to gold and that is enough for her fans. Not only did she have three huge releases for 2015 - 'Tamasha', Piku and 'Bajirao Mastani', but her relationship with Ranveer Singh is one of the most talked about topics.
Alia Bhatt: Her fresh vibrancy has charmed fans who can't get enough of her. Alia Bhatt has been making news due to her supposed relationship with Sidharth Malhotra as well as her big release, 'Shaandaar'. She was also in news for having signer KJo's Shuddhi and Gauri Shinde's next opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
Radhika Apte: This Bollywood talent had people stop and take notice of her in Sujoy Ghosh's short story, 'Ahalya'. She was in news this year for her nude video clips from Anurag Kashyap's movie.
Anushka Sharma: Her production venture 'NH10' which also had Anushka in the lead role had everybody talking as well as her role in 'Dil Dhadakne Do'. But, it is her blossoming romance with India Test skipper Virat Kohli which is still going strong, that had people interested.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: The former beauty queen returned to cinema this year with 'Jazbaa' after a hiatus of five years since the birth of daughter, Aaradhya. And ofcourse her Cannes red carpet appearances were the talk of the town.
Kareena Kapoor: Her popularity never really diminishes. But, it was 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' that made Kareena Kapoor to the list.
Priyanka Chopra: While she was part of Zoya Akhtar's 'Dil Dhadakne Do', it was her first show with ABC - 'Quantico' that people waited for with interest.
Poonam Pandey: From promising to run nude to posting steamy pictures, we all know why Poonam Pandey is here.
Baahubali: Said to be the most expensive Indian film ever made, Baahubali was made in two parts. The epic drama had some impressive visual effects with a stellar cast of Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah Bhatia and Anushka Shetty. Second part of Baahubali also went on floors from today (December 17). The first part of the franchise released earlier this year in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam and raked in over Rs.600 crore the box office worldwide.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan: Anything involving Salman Khan will always make news. 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' also starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, did exceptionally well, breaking a number of Box Office records. Bajrangi Bhaijaan was Salman Khan's first release of 2015 and it generated a lot of interest among his fans. The movie crossed Rs 320 mark in India.
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo: The film had everybody interested as it was marking the reunion of Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya after a gap of 16 years. Another reason was that Salman was returning to his role of 'Prem'. PRDP earned a whopping Rs 40 crore on day one of its release.
ABCD 2: 'Any Body Can Dance 2' brought together never-seen-before couple - Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor, both showing off their dance movies like never before.
I: The Tamil romantic film starring Vikram and Amy Jackson, told the tale of a body builder turned super model, who after being deformed, takes revenge upon those who were responsible for his situation. The movie was in news for Vikram's varied avatars onscreen. The movie crossed the RS 200 crore mark during its entire run at the box office.
PK: Aamir Khan's 'PK' was the most-talked about film especially due to its unusual storyline and plot. The marketing strategy surrounding the film also contributed to the same. Though the movie released in December 2014, PK continues to be in the list of Most Googled movie in 2015 as well, since the movie had its TV premiere this year.
Puli: Owning to Sridevi and Vijay's popularity down South, 'Puli' also made it to the list.
Roy: The film starring Arjun Rampal, Ranbir Kapoor and Jacqueline was being awaited with much interest as the trio had never been seen together before. But Ranbir Kapoor's movie failed to impress the audience.
Hamari Adhuri Kahani: After their huge hit together, 'The Dirty Picture', audiences had high expectation from Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi's 'Hamari Adhuri Kahani'.
Srimanthudu: Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and actress Shruti Haasan's 'Srimanthudu', which told the tale of a young man who inherits a business empire from his father, had people awaiting its release eagerly.
