THE BREAKOUTSTARS

We take a look at some of the best talents, across industries, who made quite a splash in Indian cinema this year

Every new year begins with a sense of hope. Like Andy Dufresne of The Shawshank Redemption said, hope is indeed a good thing, and no good thing ever dies. It is this 'hope' that propels many dreamers despite the umpteen stumbles and setbacks. For some, it might take years to succeed, and for some, it might just be the case of getting the first step right. It depends on many factors talent, hard work, luck... or is it just a matter of being there at the right place at the right time? I guess it's the combination of all these factors. Here, we look at some of the year's brightest talents from Indian cinema who got this combination right and managed to leave a lasting impression. 

HINDI 

Mouni Roy (Actor, Brahmastra Part One: Shiva) 

Mouni Roy's impassioned performance as Junoon in Ayan Mukerji's superhero fantasy epic is exemplary. As the primary antagonist, she holds her own in faceoffs with seasoned actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. She brings conviction to a part that revels in comic-book villainy. Hopefully, her fiery red eyes will make a reappearance in Part Two.

Achint Thakkar (Composer, Monica, O My Darling)

Vasan Bala's Monica, O My Darling is indubitably Soundtrack of the Year. Young composer Achint Thakkar - who also worked on Scam 1992 and Rocket Boys offers an embarrassment of winners, from retro earworms like 'Bye Bye Adios' and 'Suno Jaane Jaan' to the sublime 'Farsh Pe Khade Khade'. Bollywood music directors have been looking backwards for.

MALAYALAM

Abhinav Sunder Nayak (Director, Mukundan Unni Associates)