They had launchpads that got everyone’s attention, and it looked like they were here to stay. But a lot of actors, despite their dream debuts, chose to stay away from limelight, for reasons best known to them.
Here’s looking back at some of these one film wonders who vanished into the Bollywood hullabaloo, yes, much to our and the industry’s surprise.
Diana Penty
Homi Adajania’s Cocktail made a phoenix out of Deepika Padukone, but Diana Penty, too, received a fair share of praise for her debut attendance. But despite offers knocking at her door, she chose to take a three-year sabbatical in which she indulged in globe trotting and fashion excursions. Not being from a filmi background, she wanted time to get used to the madness around, and wait for the right script. As it stands, she will be seen in Mudassar Aziz’s Happy Bhaag Jayegi. Romancing opposite Abhay Deol, she will be essaying the role of a Punjabi bride who runs away to another country.
Gayatri Joshi
She had the debut every girl in the country can only dream of, yes, opposite the reigning superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. The film was Ashutosh Gowariker’s much acclaimed Swades, and Joshi’s turn as the cotton clad lady made everyone take notice of her elegant presence. Instead of pursuing her career in films further, she chose to settle down with construction magnet Vikas Oberoi. We are still looking for a sign of comeback.
Rajat Barmecha
His debut film, Udaan didn’t create any buzz at the ticket window, but to the discerning audience, it was a film worth celebrating. Udaan won truckloads of critical appreciation and awards, and Barmecha, a young actor had the central role in it. Despite such a terrific start, he appeared only in a cameo in Shaitan (2011). He can be spotted in the bylanes of Versova and Juhu, but a feature film top-lining him hasn’t seen the light of day yet.
Malini Sharma
Bipasha Basu might have been the star attraction in Raaz, but Malini Sharma raised the temperature with her seductive turn as the ghost. After a successful modelling carrer, and an appearance in the popular Bombay Vikings video Kya Surat Hai, her debut film, Raaz was a runaway hit. She was married to her long-time boyfriend and fellow actor Priyanshu Chatterjee, which ended in divorce. Since then, there has been no news of the leggy lass.
Gieselle Moneteiro
When Love Aaj Kal released, no one could tell that the fablesque Punjaban is actually not even Indian, but a girl from the faraway land of Brazil. The quiet Harleen in a brief appearance was adored by the masses, and it looked like she is set for an exciting Bollywood adventure in her modelling career. Alas, she evaporated after an appearance in Always Kabhi Kabhi, a teen romance that died on its opening weekend. Now, she is only seen in brand endorsements. That’s it.
Vaani Kapoor
After appearing as the third wheel in Yash Raj Films’ Shuddh Desi Romance in 2014, the model turned actress hasn’t appeared in another Hindi film. Though she had a three film deal with YRF, her second release was a Tamil romantic comedy, Aaha Kalyanam, a remake of Band Baaja Baraat. Her next is a biggie, with mentor Aditya Chopra at the helm of affairs. Titled Befikre, the film will see her opposite current heartthrob Ranveer Singh, and is set to release on December 9th.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)