No one expected them to outshine their peers, but they did, and how! Tellychakkar.com takes a look at the underdogs, the unknowns and the unsung at the beginning of the year, who turned up heroes at the end of 2005!

Qazi Toqueer

20 October, 2005 was a day that will be remembered in the entertainment industry as the day Qazi Toqueer was crowned King! The guy with the disheveled locks, a confused aim in life and a surprising lack of sur and taal was declared the winner of Sony's reality show, Fame Gurukul. In a few months time, the frank and outspoken Qazi became the heartthrob of millions, even outshining Rex D'souza, who had made quite a mark with his performance and charisma. If this was not all, Qazi's name has now becone synonymous with the X-factor!!!!

Rajesh Kumar

Rajesh Kumar was last seen as Kkusum's good for nothing bro in Sony's show of the same name. But this year was bonanza time for the actor, who not only bagged Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, but has also become a rage with his portrayal of the upmarket spoilt rich mamma's boy, Rosesh. After playing a psycho in Sony's Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka and an almost forgettable character in Kksum, this is Rajesh's first real brush with stardom! And his crowning glory is his role in Ba Bahoo Aur Baby in which we can see the actor in an altogether different character! So Rajesh definitely qualifies as one of the most sought after surprise package of the year!

Rupali Ganguly
Rupali Ganguly seems to have perfected the art of illogical banter! She has re-discovered herself as the babbling dim witted Monisha in Star One's Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and this is one act that's got everybody talking! Daughter of acclaimed director, Anil Ganguly, Rupali has no doubt made the transition from the wily Dr Simran of Sanjivani to the middle-class bahu! What more could an artiste ask for?

Pooja Ghai Rawal

Suhasi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, had disappeared from the small screen for quite some time. But now the lady is back with a vengeance. Besides hosting Sony's recently concluded Shikhar, Pooja has some very interesting projects in her kitty, including Aroona Irani's Rabba Ishq Na Hove, and also a powerful cameo in Jassi and not to forget she was the new face in Siddhanth as a lawyer's love. With more serials coming her way, the young woman's career is rocking like never before. When Suhasi's track didn't work out in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, without losing hope she waited and endurance showed. Within a year's time, Pooja Ghai has reached the peak of her career.

The Great Indian Laughter Challenge

Nobody ever thought of a show like The Great Indian Laughter Challenge before Star One hit upon the idea. Now, it has set the stage for others to catch on with the trend. The show is the brain child of Pankaj Saraswat who has designed and executed the entire content. A number of shows have started walking on the same path now. The episode telecast on 16 October 2005, crowned Sunil Pal of Nagpur as the Comic King. Joined by the inimitable Navjot Singh Sidhu and Shekhar Suman, The Great Indian Laughter Champions will most probably in future too, make viewers laugh and giggle till they cry.