Bollywood Leading Ladies Who Vanished After A Few Hits(Photo Credit –Instagram)
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Some actresses capture the audience’s hearts with a few memorable hits, only to disappear from the limelight. These “Lapata Ladies” of Bollywood are the enigmatic wonders who shine brightly for a brief moment and then fade away, leaving us yearning for more. Let’s dive into the stories of these recent stars who graced the silver screen with their fleeting brilliance.
1. Zareen Khan: The Lookalike Who Made Her Own Identity
Zareen Khan made a striking debut in Veer (2010) opposite Salman Khan. With her regal looks and striking resemblance to Katrina Kaif, Zareen was instantly noticed. The film, set in a historical backdrop, allowed her to showcase her acting chops and she was praised for her performance as Princess Yashodhara. Zareen’s next notable hit came with Hate Story 3 (2015), where she broke away from her traditional image and took on a bold and daring role. The film was a box-office success and marked her as an actress willing to take risks.
2. Jacqueline Fernandez: The Sri Lankan Beauty
Jacqueline Fernandez’s journey in Bollywood began with Aladin (2009), but it was her role in Murder 2 (2011) that put her on the map. Her sultry performance in the thriller won her acclaim and established her as a bold actress. Jacqueline’s fame continued to rise with hits like Housefull 2 (2012) and Kick (2014), where she shared screen space with Salman Khan. However, despite her glamorous roles and success in multi-starrers, Jacqueline has struggled to find substantial, varied roles in recent years. While she remains a popular figure in Bollywood, often seen in dance numbers and cameos, her acting career hasn’t evolved beyond a few types of roles.
3. Ileana D’Cruz: The Southern Star Who Crossed Over
Ileana D’Cruz made a seamless transition from South Indian cinema to Bollywood with her debut in Barfi! (2012). Playing the role of Shruti, a woman torn between love and societal expectations, Ileana’s performance was lauded by critics and audiences alike. Her graceful portrayal won her numerous awards and established her as a talented actress in Bollywood. Following the success of Barfi!, Ileana starred in films like Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013) and Main Tera Hero (2014), which were well-received at the box office. However, despite her early success, she found it challenging to find roles that matched the depth and nuance of her debut performance.
4. Nargis Fakhri: The Rockstar
Nargis Fakhri captured the audience’s attention with her debut in Rockstar (2011). Her portrayal of Heer, opposite Ranbir Kapoor, was both enigmatic and emotional. Nargis’s ethereal beauty and raw performance in this Imtiaz Ali film left a lasting impression, marking her as an actress who was there to stay. Despite the strong start, Nargis’s subsequent films, like Madras Cafe (2013) and Main Tera Hero (2014), did not achieve the same level of success. While she continued to appear in films and was appreciated for her roles, she struggled to find another hit that could replicate the magic of her debut.
5. Daisy Shah: The Dancer Turned Actress
Daisy Shah started her Bollywood journey as a background dancer, but it was her debut as a lead actress in Jai Ho (2014) opposite Salman Khan that brought her into the spotlight. Her performance as Rinky, a supportive sister and love interest, resonated with the audience, and the film’s success gave her a strong start. Daisy followed up with roles in films like Hate Story 3 (2015), where she took on a bold and daring character, showcasing her versatility. However, despite these roles, she has struggled to find consistent success in Bollywood. Daisy’s journey from dancer to actress is inspiring, but she has yet to find that one defining role that cements her place in the industry.
6. Kriti Kharbanda: The Talented Beauty
Kriti Kharbanda started her Bollywood career with Raaz: Reboot (2016), but it was her role in Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana (2017) that brought her widespread recognition. Her performance as Aarti, a woman navigating love and societal expectations, was heartfelt and well-received. Kriti followed this up with roles in Housefull 4 (2019) and Pagalpanti (2019), showcasing her comedic timing and versatility. Despite these successes, Kriti has struggled to find consistent, meaty roles in Bollywood. While she continues to be a part of notable projects, the defining hit that can take her career to the next level has remained elusive.
7. Diana Penty: The Cocktail Queen
Diana Penty made a sensational debut with Cocktail (2012), playing the role of Meera, a simple and traditional girl caught in a complex love triangle. Her performance was praised, and she quickly became a favorite among audiences. Diana’s grace and beauty made her stand out, and the film’s success positioned her as a promising newcomer in Bollywood. However, after Cocktail, Diana took a hiatus from films, returning with Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016), a light-hearted comedy where she played the titular role. While she received positive reviews for her performance, her subsequent projects did not achieve the same level of success.
8. Vaani Kapoor: The Sizzling Beauty
Vaani Kapoor made an impressive debut with Shuddh Desi Romance (2013), a film that explored modern relationships and love. Her portrayal of the free-spirited Tara was refreshing, and she was praised for her natural acting and chemistry with co-star Sushant Singh Rajput. Vaani followed up with roles in Befikre (2016) and War (2019), where she showcased her versatility and dance skills. Despite these high-profile films, Vaani has not yet found a role that solidifies her as a leading actress in Bollywood. Her appearances have been sporadic, and while she continues to be part of notable projects, the big breakthrough has remained elusive.
9. Pooja Hegde: The South Indian Diva
Pooja Hegde transitioned from South Indian cinema to Bollywood with her debut in Mohenjo Daro (2016) opposite Hrithik Roshan. Despite the film’s mixed reviews, Pooja’s beauty and grace caught the audience’s attention. She followed up with roles in Housefull 4 (2019) and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), which showcased her acting skills and versatility. While Pooja continues to be active in both Bollywood and South Indian cinema, she has yet to find a defining role in Bollywood that establishes her as a leading actress.
