In their first films, they broke new ground. Irrespective of the fate of their films at the box office, their performances were noticed. While accolades and endorsements followed for some, critics adopted a wait and watch policy for others. Now, they are ready with their second ventures. So will they live up to their promise?
Hansikaa is confident she will. She is excited and nervous about her second film Money Hai Toh Honey Hai which releases on Friday. “I have never done comedy before so there is pressure but I feel confident about my role,” she says. Hansikaa had made her debut with Himesh Reshammiya’s Aap Kaa Surroor: The Moviee - The Real Luv Story in 2007. She feels that the second film is very important as it is very crucial for a newcomer to fulfill the expectations people have from him or her after seeing him or her in the first film. “That is why I waited for a suitable role after Aap Kaa Surroor instead of jumping at the first offer,” she says.
When a debutant or debutante’s first film becomes a hit, their next is eagerly awaited by audience and critics alike. Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone will be well aware of that. Their next release, Bachna Ae Haseeno is the second film for both of them. Kapoor’s debut film Saawariya and Padukone’s first Hindi film Om Shanti Om both released in 2007.
Siddharth Anand, director of Bachna, is quite confident about the potential of his stars. “Ranbir will go beyond Saawariya,” he affirms. “He is an amazing actor.” Anand is equally enthusiastic about Padukone. “Deepika has huge talent which she has not yet exploited. She’ll be a huge star soon.” Anand also asserts that he is happy with the way the two have performed in the film. “Their acting is so real. It is not like they are acting at all. It is more like they are reacting to each other.”
The year 2008 saw Harman Baweja make his not-so-acclaimed acting debut with Love Story 2050. It will also see his second release Victory where he plays a cricketer. According to Komal Nahata, trade analyst, “If the first film was a flop, the second film is very important to establish him or her as an actor in the running. But if the first film is a hit like Jaane Tu, it doesn’t really make much of a difference.”
The first film is the most important and if it was a hit, the actors don’t really court the risk of being dismissed as a fluke or a one-film wonder. Neil Nitin Mukesh is another actor whose debut performance in Johnny Gaddaar had everyone on the edge of their seats. His second film Freeze is expected to release by the end of this year. “There is no pressure as such,” he insists. “I am not worried about being a ‘fluke’. I give my 200 per cent to my films. The rest is up to the fans, how they like the film.”
Imran Khan was much loved and applauded in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Naa. His next film is Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision’s Kidnap and is slated for an October 2 release. Dilli 6, Sonam Kapoor’s next film after Saawariya, will also be out this year.
With so many actors’ second films on the anvil, it seems like 2008 will be a make or break year for many careers.