Bollywood's first impressions

It is said that first impressions make lasting impressions.

How untrue!

If that were true, some of the Hindi film industry's leading stars would have disappeared into oblivion.

These actors made their debuts in the shoddiest films with lame scripts, dull execution, and lowly packaging. If you compare their debut films with their last releases, you will notice a striking difference. But once they have their hits, the embarrassment of their first film is happily forgotten. Who cares how one's debut was as long as the hits, accolades, and affection keep pouring in, right?

Not really.

It would be interesting to look at the debut films of some of these actors and analyse what was so 'non-happening' about them. I have also mentioned their ideal debuts, as they really used the potential in these actors. These films presented them with a script that did justice to their personalities and showcased them like they ought to have been on their debuts.

Juhi Chawla: First things first. Juhi was launched in Mukul Anand's Sultanat and not Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, as many may think. Juhi appeared in the second half to do the regular heroine stuff -- sing, dance, scream, and cry -- in this predictable multi-starrer. Her co-stars, Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Sridevi, and Karan Kapoor, looked every bit as awkward and lost in this lavishly scaled exercise in boredom. Fortunately, QSQT happened and Juhi was reborn.

Ideal debut: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak

Salman Khan: Another case of rebirth (careerwise). Can you believe it, he began his career playing a small role in the Rekha-starrer Biwi Ho To Aisi! He wasn't the hero. Farooque Shaikh was. He played Shaikh's badly behaved kid brother. His heroine was a non-entity. If I am not mistaken, someone else dubbed his dialogues. Oddly enough, Salman's good looks failed to register until Maine Pyar Kiya came out.

Ideal debut: Maine Pyar Kiya

Shah Rukh Khan: The superstar has acted in several blockbusters. But SRK's entry in films was pretty ordinary. His debut didn't revolve around him. It had a number of other actors. For an actor to have an overwhelming screen presence, Dil Aashna Hai was an unlikely launch pad. It is hardly surprising that this kerchief caper, which marked Hema Malini's directorial debut, was a turkey at the box office. What made him do it? Because reportedly he couldn't say no to the Dream Girl.

Ideal debut: Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa or Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Saif Ali Khan: These days, the Chhote Nawab is associated with hot set-ups. But his debut Aashiq Awaara was amazingly substandard. What can you say about a film that boasts of a beaten-to-death theme of lost and found and mistaken identity. Saif looked unbelievably dispassionate as he unconvincingly mouthed Bollywood clichés. Also, why did he wear that silly sleeveless vest throughout the film? If you have noticed, Saif has been most successful doing offbeat roles.

Ideal debut: Yeh Dillagi

Karisma Kapoor: Prem Qaidi was a hit. But so what? When a scion of the Kapoor khandaan steps into the world of films, a grand debut is expected. Karisma's first film was far from one. Parading in a polka dot swimsuit and mouthing double entendre dialogues opposite a relatively unknown hero (Harish) in an overtly dramatic love story hardly qualifies as the ideal launch. Unlike her younger sister Kareena, Lolo was rawness personified. Remember those thick eyebrows and an awful wardrobe?

Ideal debut: Raja Hindustani

Sushmita Sen: The former Miss Universe thought playing herself in her debut film was a good idea. She couldn't have been more wrong. Her first, and one of Mahesh Bhatt's worst films, Dastak, was as exciting as cold fish. Cast opposite two rank newcomers (Mukul Dev and Sharad Kapoor) who didn't match her magnetic screen presence, Sush's inexperienced shoulders couldn't carry the film on their own. Also, the audience expected a beauty pageant winner to show better dress sense than this.

Ideal debut: Biwi No 1

Akshay Kumar: Martial arts and good looks were Akshay's only selling points when he came into the industry. So that is all one got to see in his debut, Saugandh. This rehashed version of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak featured mundane music and had Shantipriya as Akshay's co-star. Not much was heard of her afterwards. Ditto for the film. Akki, however, had a good time doing non-stop karate and flaunting his well-toned biceps.

Ideal debut: Khiladi

Rani Mukerji: Right now she reigns as the queen of hearts, but Rani Mukerji had a very poor start. Her Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat opposite Shadaab Khan was loud from start to finish. Also, it was shockingly low on production values. Rani, to her credit, exhibited potential. Luckily for her, Ghulam and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai came in quick succession and the actress entered the top bracket.

Ideal debut: Ghulam

Kajol and Aishwarya Rai: Both of them share something in common: they made their debuts under Rahul Rawail's direction. Though they were presented well, much more was expected from the debut of Tanuja's daughter and the former Miss World. Both films, Bekhudi and Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, had old as hat storylines shot in stunning foreign locales. While Kajol made her debut opposite a lacklustre debutant Kamal Sadanah, Ash had to contend with a struggling hero, Bobby Deol.

Ideal debut: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge for Kajol, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam for Aishwarya Rai.