Top 10 debuts of 2012

This doe-eyed siren was already a big star down South before making her big debut in critically acclaimed Barfi! opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. Not only was Barfi! loved by the critics and the box office, it was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscar. Ileana will next be seen in Phata Poster Nikla Hero opposite Shahid Kapoor.

Hot off the catwalk, Diana scored a hit with her very first film Cocktail, co-starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone. Her performance in the film was well received.

The daughter of director Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan, Alia was born with a filmy silver spoon in her mouth. But she chose as her launch vehicle not a film by daddy but one by Karan Johar. Smart move, because Student Of The Year ticked all the right boxes with critics and movie buffs. She will next be seen in 2013 film 2 States.

Son of producer Boney Kapoor, stepson of Sridevi, nephew of Anil Kapoor and cousin of Sonam – with credentials like these, it's no wonder that Arjun Kapoor was snapped up by Yash Raj Films, making an acclaimed debut in Ishaqzaade opposite Parineeti Chopra.

2012 was the year adult film star Sunny Leone became a legit actress. Indo-Canadian Sunny sizzled in Pooja Bhatt's Jism 2, a sequel to the 2003 movie that made Bipasha Basu famous.

VJ turned actor Ayushmann was much-loved by all as the Punjabi munda in the offbeat but hugely successful Vicky Donor. Multi-talented Ayushmann also sang the song Paani da rang in the film. Bright future? We'd certainly say so.

Perhaps one of the biggest finds of 2012 was the low-key Huma who made a searing transition from stage to screen in Anurag Kashyap's much-lauded Gangs of Wasseypur. Huma also appeared in Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana opposite Kunal Kohli. Huma will next be seen in Ek Thi Daayan.