From Television to Bollywood

We, at BollyCurry, are celebrating January as a month of new beginnings. Some of our favorite TV stars too made a new beginning to their careers over the past few years by taking a step into Bollywood. Here's bringing you a list of some who've successfully established themselves in the industry and some who're yet to be seen if whether they will an shine or fade away.

Sushant Singh Rajput debuted on television playing a supporting character in the popular show Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil. He went on to win hearts of millions with his portrayal of the male protagonist Manav Damodar Deshmukh in Zee TV's now longest running and most popular show Pavitra Rishta. He's also been a part of dance-based reality shows like Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and Zara Nachke Dikha. After a successful television career, this 26-year-old actor has set his eyes to carve a niche for himself in Bollywood. He is all set for his debut film, Kai Po Che!, which is based on Chetan Bhagat's novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life and is due to be released on 22nd February 2013.

Barun Sobti is Indian television's latest heartthrob. He was first seen in Shraddha on Star Plus back in 2009 which was followed with a negative role in the Star One's popular show Dill Mill Gayye in 2010. He became a household name with his portrayal of the laid-back Shravan in Sony's Baat Hamari Pakki Hai in the same year. However, the breakthrough in his career came in 2011 when he played the lead role of Arnav Singh Raizada in one of Star Plus' most celebrated shows Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? Having gathered an enviable global fan-following in his 3-year long television career, he now aspires for an equally satiable career as a film actor. His debut movie, Main Aur Mr. Riight, is all set for release around March-April of this year.

Best known for his role as Aditya in college-based series Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr on Star Plus, Amit Sadh has also appeared in shows like Kohinoor, Guns and Roses and Durgesh Nandinii. He's been a contestant on reality shows like Nach Baliye and Fear Factor but rose to fame with Bigg Boss. After being associated with television for over a decade, this actor now awaits the release of his debut movie Kai Po Che! on 22nd February 2013.

Rohit Bakshi has been a part of several popular shows like Choodiyaan, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kutumb and Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur. He is best remembered for playing the role of Piyush Raheja in the popular show Kahiiin Toh Hoga. Though his debut film Dehraadun Diary didn't have a successful run, it still has to be seen what he has in store for his fans.

Ram Kapoor is arguably one of the most successful and experienced actors on television today with a 15-year long career to boast of. His first appearance was in a 1997 show called Nyay. He tasted the success of fame in 2000 when he was offered to play the main role of Rahul in Ghar Ek Mandir. He went on to be a part of many successful shows like Kabhi Aaye Na Judai, Kehta Hai Dil, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi among many others. His next big project as a male protagonist was Kasamh Se in 2006-09. Today, at 39, his career is continuing to reach newer heights as he plays the main lead in Sony's most successful show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. His Bollywood career began almost parallel to his television career in 2000, but he gained prominence in the industry only after playing a harsh and merciless boss in Karthik Calling Karthik (2010). He's played pivotal roles in movies like Udaan (2010), Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012), Agent Vinod (2012) and Student Of The Year (2012). His first movie as a lead role is Mere Dad Ki Maruti which is due to release later this year.

Ayushmann Khurana is a well-known VJ and anchor on television who has hosted many big shows like MTV Roadies, India's Got Talent, Amul Music ka Maha Muqabala and Just Dance. He's also hosted events like Apasara Awards, Star Parivaar Awards, Femina Miss India, International Indian Film Academy Awards and People's Choice Awards. He had a successful start to his Bollywood career with the superhit Vicky Donor (2012) and is now awaiting the release of his next movie Nautanki Saala! tentatively releasing on 12th April 2013.

After appearing in commercials, Yami Gautam went on to work in shows like Raajkumar Aaryyan and Chand Ke Par Chalo before bagging her most notable role in Colors' Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kum, which was also the last of her television career. After her brief stint on the small screen, she did films in various languages over the following two years. Her Bollywood career got a good start with Vicky Donor (2012), one of the most successful and acclaimed movies of the year.

Pulkit Samrat entered the television industry in 2006 by playing Lakshay Virani in the then most popular show in the country, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Thereafter, he chose to go the Bollywood way and debuted in 2012 with Bittoo Boss.

Prachi Desai became a household name when she played the lead role of Bani Walia in one of Zee TV's most successful shows, Kasamh Se. She also participated in the popular reality show Jhalak Dikhla Ja, in which she emerged as the winner. She left television in 2008 to pursue a career in films. Her debut movie, Rock On!! (2008), was an average performer at the box office. She went on to do films in different genres like Life Partner (2009), Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010) and Bol Bachchan (2012). She also made a cameo appearance in Shahid Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra starrer, Teri Meri Kahaani (2012). Her next movie, I, Me, aur Main is due to release in March 2013.

Rajeev Khandelwal has done some very notable work on television be it the suave Sujal Grewal in Kahin To Hoga or Capt. Rajveer Singh Shekhawat in Left Right Left. He's also hosted the reality show Sach Ka Saamna, the Indian adaptation of A Moment of Truth. Rajeev entered Bollywood in 2008 by playing the male protagonist in the critically acclaimed film, Aamir. He's done different roles in movies like Shaitan (2011) and Soundtrack (2011). His latest release, Table No.21 (2013), has had a slow start at the box office but has mostly been praised by the critics.

Even without achieving the superstar tag, these televisions actors have managed to carve a niche for themselves in Bollywood. We hope that the ones just stepping in the industry manage to have as successful a film career as their television one and the already established ones reach newer heights.

Author: Neethi B.
Editors: Komal P. & Gunia M.
Graphics: Preet K.