Every year a number of fresh faces are introduced to the audience on the silver screen who bring excitement, exuberance and enthusiasm not only to the fans but also the film industry. Although the coronavirus pandemic continued its impact across the country and very few films actually saw the light of the day in theatres, yet there were many names that made their scintillating debuts in Bollywood. From Ahan Shetty to Sharvari Wagh, check out all the Bollywood newcomers who hit the screens in 2021 as well as notable names waiting on the anvil for their films to release in 2022.
2021 Debuts
Ahan Shetty – Tadap
Suniel Shetty’s son and Athiya Shetty’s brother Ahan Shetty took everyone by surprise with his debut film Tadap opposite Tara Sutaria. The film presented him in a lovelorn, angry young man avatar and Ahan did justice to the difficult role. He reaped accolades for his mature performance and proved everyone that he is more than a famous surname.
Sharvari – Bunty Aur Babli 2
Sharvari impressed everyone with her con act in YRF’s Bunty Aur Babli 2. The young debutante gave tough competition to senior actors Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in the film as well as Siddhant Chaturvedi who was paired opposite her.
Isabelle Kaif- Time To Dance
Katrina Kaif’s baby sister Isabelle Kaif put her best foot forward in the dance film Time To Dance that released this year opposite Sooraj Pancholi. She has two other projects in the pipeline–Kwatha with Salman Khan’s brother-in-law Aayush Sharma and Suswagatam Khushamdeed with Pulkit Samrat.
Krystle D’Souza – Chehre
Krystle D’Souza is not new to facing the camera as she is an established TV actress known for shows like Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai, Ek Nayi Pehchaan and Brahmarakshas. However, she made her big Bollywood debut in Rumi Jaffery-directed film Chehre that also starred Amitabh Bachchan, Emraan Hashmi and Rhea Chakraborty.
Mahima Makwana – Antim: The Final Truth
Mahima Makwana debuted in Salman Khan and Aayush Sharma starrer Antim: The Final Truth. She did not have a very meaty role in the film but was still managed to make her presence felt.
Pranitha Subhash – Hungama 2 and Bhuj: The Pride of India
South Indian actor Pranitha Subhash who is an established name in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu film industries made her Bollywood debut with Hungama 2 and followed it up with Bhuj: The pride of India.
Rinzing Denzongpa – Squad
Rinzing Denzongpa, son of veteran actor Danny Denzongpa made his debut with the film Squad that released digitally this year. He made a smashing debut with all guns blazing as he played an action hero in his first film.
Malvika Raaj – Squad
Malvika Raaj also made her debut alongside Rinzing Denzongpa in Squad. The film tested her action skills.
2022 Debuts
Manushi Chhillar – Prithviraj
Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar will make her big screen debut opposite Akshay Kumar in the historical drama Prithviraj slated to release in 2022. The film is directed by Dr.Chandraprakash Dwivedi and will see her essaying the role of Princess Sanyogita.
Adivi Sesh - Major
Adivi Sesh will soon be seen in the much awaited pan india film, Major, which will release in Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam. The film marks his debut in Hindi cinema. Adivi plays the lead role of real-life hero Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who saved the lives of numerous hostages before being martyred by terrorists in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 during the infamous attack on the heritage hotel. Major will hit theatres on February 11, 2022.
Ajey Nagar aka CarryMinati – Runway 34
Ajey Nagar aka CarryMinati enjoys massive popularity on the online space thanks to his YouTube channel. He is now all set to enter Bollywood with Ajay Devgn’s directorial Runway 34 that also stars Amitabh Bachchan.
Shalini Pandey
Shalini Pandey, who rose to fame in Telugu film industry with the film Arjun Reddy is all set to make her debut opposite Ranveer Singh in Jayeshbhai Jordaar. The film is being helmed by debutant writer-director Divyang Thakkar and will release in 2022.
Laksh Lalwani – Dostana 2
TV actor Laksh Lalwani known for his shows Adhuri Kahani Humari, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil and Porus, is making his entry in Bollywood with Dostana 2. Produced by Karan Johar the film also stars Janhvi Kapoor.
Babil I Khan – Qala
Irrfan’s son Babil I Khan will be making his debut with Netflix’s film Qala that also stars Tripti Dimri. The film is backed by Anushka Sharma. He will also be seen in Shoojit Sircar’s next film.
Rashmika Mandanna – Mission Majnu
The southern sensation Rashmika Mandanna is all set to make her Bollywood debut opposite Sidharth Malhotra in the espionage thriller Mission Majnu. She will also be sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in the film Goodbye.
Vijay Deverakonda – Liger
Vijay Deverakonda will be making his highly-anticipated Bollywood debut in the film Liger in which he plays a boxer. The film also stars Ananya Panday and has former boxer Mike Tyson in a pivotal role.
Palak Tiwari – Rosie: The Saffron Chapter
Shweta Tiwari’s daughter Palak Tiwari will be debuting on the silver screen with Rosie: The Saffron Chapter. The film is based on true incidents.
Shirley Setia – Nikamma
Social media sensation, Shirley Setia will be making her feature film debut with Nikamma. The film also stars Abhimanyu Dassani and Shilpa Shetty. The film is directed by Shabbir Khan.
Prajakta Koli – Jug Jugg Jeeyo
Popular YouTube sensation, Prajakta Koli will feature in Jug Jugg Jeeyo. Her debut film also stars Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Neetu Kapoor and Anil Kapoor in the lead.
Shantanu Maheshwari – Gangubai Kathiawadi
Shantanu Maheshwari will be seen sharing screen space with Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi. The young actor will be making his Bollywood debut with the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial.
Namashi Chakraborty – Bad Boy
Mithun Chakraborty’s younger son Namashi Chakraborty is all set to face the arc lights in Rajkumar Santoshi’s Bad Boy. Expected to be an out-and-out commercial film, it also marks the filmmaker’s return to direction after seven years.
Keerthy Suresh – Maidaan
Popular South actress Keerthy Suresh will be making her Bollywood debut with Ajay Devgn starrer sports drama Maidaan. The film is directed by Amit Sharma.
Naga Chaitanya- Laal Singh Chaddha
Southern star Naga Chaitanya is all set to make his debut with Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s film Laal Singh Chaddha.
Special Mentions
Ayush Mehra – Call My Agent (2021)
Ayush Mehra made his debut with the web series Call My Agent in 2021. He impressed everyone with his performance in the drama show.
Shanaya Kapoor
Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor has had all eyes on her ever since she made a splashing social media debut with her hot and sizzling photoshoot. Rumours were rife that she will soon be making her Bollywood debut. However, her big debut announcement has been marred by the ongoing pandemic but is expected any time next year.
Khushi Kapoor
Boney Kapoor’s and Sridevi’s younger daughter and sister of Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor has her eyes set on the tinseltown. No announcements about her impending projects are made yet but if rumours are to be believed she might just burst onscreen in 2022.
Ahaan Panday
Ananya Panday’s cousin and Chunky Panday’s nephew, Ahaan Panday is set to make his Bollywood debut with a superhero film opposite Ajay Devgn under the Yash Raj Films banner. An announcement was expected by Aditya Chopra during the 50-year-celebrations of YRF but it was withheld due to the pandemic. Hopefully, Ahaan will get to make his debut in 2022.
Suhana Khan
After graduating in film studies from New York, Shah Rukh Khan’s darling daughter, Suhana Khan might appear on the big screen next year. She has been showing her acting prowess with plays and short films.
Agastya Nanda
Soon to become a sensation, Agastya Nanda, grandson on Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and son of Shweta Bachchan & Nikhil Nanda might make his debut with the ace filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and Khushi Kapoor. Hailing from the Bachchan family, fans are already excited about his venture.
Anjini Dhawan
Anjini Dhawan was an assistant director on the sets of the Varun Dhawan-Sara Ali Khan starrer Coolie No 1. With her stunning looks, envious body and killer dancing skills, Anjini is surely the new kid on the block who is all set to impress the audience.
