BY VICKEY LALWANI

They created ripples of interest in 2004, but are poised to make waves in 2005. We present here the best of the small screen lot who are sure to make headlines in the new year....



Ejaz Khan
He was bumped off in Kkoi Dil Mein Hai and kicked out of Kahiin To Hoga. Seen in Kesar too. He's about to die in Kkusum, but still Ejaz's fans don't seem to get enough of him. They devotedly lap up all his scenes, but ironically, all the fan mail he receives is addressed to Varun of KTH. With his rugged good looks, he could emerge as the tele-hunk of 2005, only if he markets himself a bit better!

Gauri Pradhan
Viewers can't seem to get over her. The Kyunki... ratings have gone a notch higher since she joined the show, and the girl seems to be getting prettier, even if a little plumper, by the day. She is the better half of the handsomest couple on television, but the shy Hiten Tejwani seems to lurk in the background while Gauri enjoys the spotlight. 2005 could well see her blossoming into a tele-star, provided she takes up more than her Kyunki... assignment.

Akashdeep Saigal
In the short period that he vitiated the Kyunki... atmosphere, Ansh left a mark with his mannerisms as well as his unconventional striking looks. He's scheduled to exit Kyunki... in ignominy this week, after being shot dead by Tulsi, but claims he has a big Balaji project that will materialise soon. This is one face that won't be forgotten by couch potatoes in a hurry.

Mona Wasu
So far, she's just been seen in ads and a stray telefilm on Sahara One, but might just be the surprise package of 2005. Mona makes her debut in Star Plus' Millie in the first quarter of the year. Knowing how director vinta Nanda handles her subjects, it won't be too much of a surprise if Mona turns out to be the Tara of the year.

Gaurav Chanana
He disappeared after a brief stint as Rahul in Sanjivani when it launched, and Gaurav must have kicked himself hard for that decision. But the hazel eyed actor's return to television as Raj/Sameer of Hey....Yehi To Hai Woh on Star One seems to be working well with viewers. He has a penchant for comedy and those cool, collegian looks may just work for him in 2005.

Kulraj Kaur
As the bubbly Kareena, Kulraj hits all the right chords. With Kareena Kareena, she also gets to emote - as the sober Mrs Sood and the effervescent RJ. A refreshing change from the overdone beauties of television. A potential versatile actor to watch out for in 2005.

Pawan Shankar
This 29 year old has been dabbling in television, but Siddhanth on Star One was his real big break this year. He experimented with his looks and attended court trials to give a realistic performance as a lawyer. Siddhanth is currently getting good reviews, and the fact that Balaji Telefilms considered casting him in place of Rajeev Khandelwal as Sujal speaks volumes for his talent. Watch out for this guy.


Hema Malini
Well, she ain't exactly a new face, even on television, but Hema could well work her magic again on the small screen if she replicates her Seeta-Geeta act successfully in Sahara One's Kamini Damini. Her Bollwyood colleagues have done none too well on the same channel last year, but that's no reason to write off this sustained powerhouse of talent. She might just be the one to turn Sahara One's fortunes around in 2005!

Shabbir Ahluwalia
He's poisonous as Rishi in Kahiin To Hoga, but he's got enough fans for that lazy smile, tousled locks and dreamy eyes. Right now, he's locked in KTH and languishing in Sujal's shadow, but should Ekta find him a meatier role in a mega serial, Shabbir could be a daunting force in 2005.

Rajeev Khandelwal
His fan following is too huge and the hysteria he generates with his presence on Kahiin To Hoga is too immense to be ignored. His threat to quit the show had the fans begging him to stay, which he finally did. If logic prevails and Rajeev sticks to TV in 2005, he may sustain the fan frenzy.

Ejaz khan, Akashdeep, Hema Malini, Rajeev Khandelwal pics by Vicky Ahuja