It seems only yesterday that she smiled her way into filmdom but Rani Mukerji has been enthralling us for almost two decades now. With unforgettable performances in memorable films like BLACK, VEER-ZAARA, YUVA, KUCH KUCH HOTA HAIN, KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA and recently, MARDAANI, Rani has given the film industry some of its biggest hits and most influential female protagonists.

Born into a film family - her father Ram Mukherjee was a filmmaker - Rani didn’t aspire to act. But she made it without any recommendations or connections. In 1995, when director Salim Khan approached her to play the leading lady in his next, she relented. The rest, as they say, is history.

In 1996, she had two releases within a gap of a month, a Bengali language film BIYER PHOOL and a Hindi film RAJA KI AAYEGI BARAAT. No one would have taken a small film like RAJA KI AAYEGI BARAAT seriously but Rani made a huge splash in her debut as Mala, a convincing and strong performance.

Rani’s stellar performance made immediate impact when she signed three Hindi films together. MEHENDI featured her as a woman who stands up to her rights as a wife, against her in-laws and she established herself as a rare talent. Subsequently, Rani signed two films with the big Khans - Aamir and Shah Rukh. For GHULAM, she was quickly billed as "The Khandala Girl" because of the immensely popular song Aati kya Khandala? and Karan Johar cast her as Tina in his directorial debut KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI. Even though Rani's character features only in the film’s first half, she impressed the audiences with a mint fresh performance and went on to win the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI kick started Rani Mukerji's stint as a Bollywood actress with many films opposite popular heroes.

She then went on to play different roles in varied films and featured in a mix of both successful and not so successful projects like HELLO BROTHER, BADAL and HADH KAR DI AAPNE among others. While most of these films might have failed her, she didn't fail in the films and continued to earn the attention of accomplished filmmakers. Choosing never to disassociate from an unsuccessful film, she adheres to the belief that each and every film she has done, regardless of how it did at the box office, has added to her growth as a performer and actor.

Rani has always maintained her natural inclination towards quality parts. She opted for HEY RAM, a Kamal Hassan film where she would play a completely de-glamorized wife in a period flick.

In 2002, Rani entered the golden period of her film career. Shaad Ali's SAATHIYA, a remake of Mani Ratnam's Tamil film ALAIPAYUTHEY, showcased her acting chops with elan. Rani won the Filmfare Award again, this time for Critics Choice for Best Actress. Rani capped off box office success with CHALTE CHALTE opposite Shah Rukh Khan.

2004 is a landmark year in her career as a brilliant and versatile actor. She won accolades for her memorable performances playing three completely different characters in the star studded ensemble cast of Mani Ratnam’s YUVA as Shashi; Rhea Prakash in HUM TUM; and the fiery, no nonsense Pakistani lawyer Samiya Siddiqui in Yash Chopra’s VEER-ZAARA.

In this year, Rani swept all mainstream film awards for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories simultaneously. For her stellar performances in YUVA, HUM TUM and VEER-ZAARA, she always won both these top awards at every awards function. It’s a rare achievement for any actor across all generations in Hindi cinema. Each film was a major box office success, but Rani’s proven range as performer is considered a remarkable feat.

In 2005, Rani upped her game in a whole new league. Teaming up with director Shaad Ali after Saathiya in BUNTY AUR BABLI, this year  featured her in her in her career best performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s BLACK. Playing Michelle McNally, a deaf and mute woman who is determined to accomplish her goals, Rani swept clean all mainstream and critics’ awards for her performance for BLACK.

Now in the super league as one of the greatest leading ladies of Hindi cinema, Rani would return next year as Karan Johar's leading lady in KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA, Maya Talwar. For every progressive role, she would also play the classical Indian heroine in films like Ravi Chopra’s BAABUL or TA RA RUM PUM. Her all heart performance as the beautiful courtesan Gulab in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s SAAWARIYA reflected her range yet again.

After a brief lull, Rani stormed back with NO ONE KILLED JESSICA playing a feisty TV journalist Meera Gaity with aplomb. In TALAASH, with Aamir Khan, she delivered yet another sensitive act.

In her most recent release - MARDAANI, a runaway hit and critically loved film, Rani led from the front in MARDAANI playing the tough cop Shivani Sivaji Roy who cuts through a girl child trafficking racket. In what is still a male-dominated industry Rani carried the entire film on her own shoulders and established that two decades since her debut, there's no one better when it comes to packing an acting punch on screen.

Now married to noted producer-director Aditya Chopra and a mother to their daughter Adira, Rani will continue to act in meaningful, entertaining cinema. In the course of a shining career, Rani effortlessly stepped into non-glamorous realistic roles and dazzled in high glam heroine parts with élan. When this accomplished performer and leading lady finally hangs up her boots, Hindi cinema will find a vacuum, as no one will be able to take her place as a matinee queen who won over a billion hearts.

Actor & producer Anushka Sharma defines independence & natural born talent. For a girl with no film lineage, Anushka took just 3 films to cement her position as a leading lady to reckon with. Not one to rest on her laurels, which include working with Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan & Aamir Khan in significant roles, Anushka turned co-producer for the gripping, unconventional ‘NH 10’. Like her films, her story is fascinating to say the least.

This year, she zooms ahead of her contemporaries with the year’s biggest film SULTAN, where she plays a wrestler opposite Salman Khan. She also takes her production banner Clean Slate films ahead with the unique Punjab based film PHILLAURI.

Born in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh in 1988, Anushka’s father is a retired army officer. Discipline & focus, and a love for sport mark her early years. She went to college at Mount Carmel, Bangalore. Starting off as a model, Anushka made her debut in 2008 in RAB NE BANA DE JODI, an untypical love story with Shah Rukh Khan. While the film succeeded at the box office, Anushka’s confident & natural performance impressed critics & fans alike. She followed up with an earthy, winsome role in BAND BAAJA BARAAT in 2010. In both these films, Anushka established herself as a star who can also act brilliantly.

Having worked with veteran filmmakers like Vishal Bharadwaj & Anurag Kashyap, Anushka once again won over audiences with a spunky, self-assured performance in India’s biggest hit ever, PK. Even though BOMBAY VELVET got mixed reactions & a negative run at theaters, Anushka’s turn as jazz singer Rosie Noronha in this period drama was praised.  In 2016, she further demonstrates her range as a stellar actor with two completely varied roles - that of a female wrestler in SULTAN, and again, of a young, urbane girl in the much anticipated AE DILHAINMUSHKIL with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Ranbir Kapoor.

In 8 years’ time, her biggest achievement lies in her dream of being part of unforgettable, good cinema on her own merit. She puts her money where her mouth is. She co-produced NH 10 and played the lead role of an independent, working woman who faces up to unforeseen, violent circumstances with grit & force with penchant. This box office success that went on to win her rave reviews, Anushka’s faith in a good script above all else stands vindicated. She has backed a second, quality, entertaining story with PHILLAURI, which features interesting actors like Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh and Sooraj Sharma.

Her personal choices & professional impact can be gauged in the fact that she endorses quite a few prestigious Indian brands, including Pantene Hair Care, 7UP Nimbooz Masala Soda from Pepsico & the globally renowned Nivea cosmetics. Her association with brands continues beyond annual contracts as she has become integral to their market value.

An animal lover, she supports worthy causes like animal welfare & women’s empowerment vociferously. She is outspoken, honest & rarely seeks the limelight beyond what is strictly necessary.

Not one to fall to temptations of quick publicity & hyperbole, Anushka Sharma remains a genuine success story of a woman who has made it on her own. She also embodies the independent, confident & committed 21st Indian woman. Above all else, she reassures us that if you’ve got talent & are willing to work hard, nothing can stop you from living your dream!

Films as an Actor: RAB NE BANA DI JODI (2008), BADMAASH COMPANY (2010), BAND BAAJA BAARAAT (2010), PATIALA HOUSE (2011), LADIES VS RICKY BAHL (2011), JAB TAK HAI JAAN (2012), MATRU KI BIJLEE KA MANDOLA (2013), PK (2014), NH 10 (2015), BOMBAY VELVET (2015), DIL DHADAKNE DO (2015), SULTAN (2016), AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL (2016), PHILLAURI (2017).

For most people, Ayushmann Khurrana is the lovable film star with successful films such as VICKY DONOR and DUM LAGA KE HAISHA to his credit. But this young star, who has a Master’s Degree in Communications, isn't just an actor - he's a singer, composer and author. Today, he's one of the most promising actors in the industry and he chose to pursue his dreams and turn them into reality.

Films as an Actor: VICKY DONOR (2012), NAUTANKI SAALA (2013), BEWAKOOFIYAAN (2014), HAWAIZAADA (2015), DUM LAGA KE HAISA (2015), MERI PYAARI BINDU (2017)

She defines beauty, grace and poise - both onscreen and off it. Vaani Kapoor is the quintessential silent achiever who likes to let her work do all her talking.

Delhi girl, Vaani grew up cherishing a dream - to act. With her tall, lissome frame and strikingly beautiful face, she took to modelling smoothly. An Elite model, Vaani moved to acting with a stint in television, till she was signed up by India’s premium talent company, Yash Raj Films. 

Thus, began a story of steady, smooth growth in the world of cinema. Making her debut with SHUDDH DESI ROMANCE in 2013 Vaani immediately won over critics and audiences. In this fresh, young, feel good romantic film, Vaani stood out for her elegance and easy comfort on the big screen. Her second film, AAHA KALYANAM, again won praise. Versatile and sincere, Vaani took lessons in Tamil and Telugu to get the film’s languages right. 

Vaani Kapoor has been appreciated for her performance in her second Hindi film, BEFIKRE - by Aditya Chopra. From the maker of DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE, this contemporary love story featured Vaani opposite Ranveer Singh as a carefree, independent Parisian girl. Her performance and screen presence have been well received. Counted amongst beautiful leading ladies with a finely-honed sense of fashion, Vaani Kapoor is set to conquer new heights in Hindi cinema.  

Films as an Actor: SHUDDH DESI ROMANCE (2013), AAHA KALYANAM (2014), BEFIKRE (2016)

Tahir Raj Bhasin was inducted into the YRF talent arsenal after his amazingly powerful lead debut in MARDAANI. He loves stories and lives to be a part of entertaining cinema, to explore varying characters through his journey. A self-professed adventure junkie, Tahir compliments his passion for acting with an interest in bizarre wit & exploratory travel.

Films as an Actor: MARDAANI (2014), FORCE 2 (2016)