Waluscha and Mahira: Dhoom or Doom?

Two of Shah Rukh Khan’s 2016 releases -- Fan and Raees -- will see him romancing newbies.

While Maneesh Sharma’s Fan has King Khan paired with Waluscha D’Souza, Rahul Dholakia's Raees will feature Pakistani beauty Mahira Khan opposite SRK.

Not that the Baadshah of Bollywood has never romanced debutantes before. From Suchitra Krishnamoorthi to Anushka Sharma, the list is impressive and rather long. While luck and stardom rubbed off on some of them (Dhoom), a few faded into oblivion (Doom).

Let's take a look:

Shilpa Shetty

Image Source: whilemusic

Shah Rukh Khan’s first solo superhit Baazigar (1993) is mostly remembered for his sizzling chemistry with Kajol and his portrayal of a negative character. However, it also marked the launch of hottie Shilpa Shetty.

Her career took off after the film and she went on to be a part of numerous hits like Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Auzaar, Shool, Dhadkan, Rishtey, Dus, Life In A Metro and Apne. Though she isn’t doing any films these days, Shlipa is a big name on television. Her fitness videos and book have also been well received.

Preity Zinta

Image Source: cinemarx

She may have had only a cameo appearance in Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se (1998), but the dimpled beauty stormed into our hearts with the evergreen hit, Jiya Jale Jaan Jale. Preity and SRK went on to act together in many films and most of them were blockbusters. Over the past eight years, she has been busy managing an IPL cricket team (Kings XI Punjab). The actress is all set for a comeback in films this year (Actors who will make a comeback in 2016, January 8).

Deepika Padukone

Image Source: friendheight

Deepika entered Bollywood with a bang -- she had a dream debut with Shah Rukh in Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om (2007). The film became a massive hit and cemented Dippy’s position in the industry. Though labelled as just another pretty face initially, she floored the critics with her performance in Cocktail
(2012). The past year saw her becoming a part of three big-ticket releases: Piku, Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani. Dippy is now set to enter Hollywood after bagging a role opposite Vin Diesel in the next installment of the XXX series. What more can you ask for?

Anushka Sharma

Image Source: hollybollyscoop

Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) was an average affair with SRK winning all the accolades. However, the film’s lead actress Anushka got noticed as well. Slowly and steadily, she has become one of the most sought-after heroines in Bollywood. Not satisfied with just acting, she has even turned producer. Anushka, who is also in the news because of her relationship with cricketer Virat Kohli, has two big releases lined up this year – Sultan opposite Salman Khan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil with Ranbir Kapoor.

Now that you know the success stories, here’s taking a look at those heroines whose career failed to take off despite debuting opposite SRK.    

Suchitra Krishnamoorthi

Image Source: vebidoo

Who can forget Shah Rukh roaming the streets of Mumbai, singing ‘Anna Mere Pyar Ko Na Tum Jhoota Samjho Jaana’? Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994) did not do well at the box-office, but its songs were a rage. Though Suchitra got noticed in the film, she got married to filmmaker Shekhar Kapur soon after its release and decided to stay away from the limelight. The singer-actress did try to make a comeback in Bollywood with My Wife’s Murder (2005), but Anil Kapoor won all the praises for the film.

Gayatri Joshi

Image Source: celebritytonic

Gayatri was a well-known model with over 250 TV commercials to her credit when she featured opposite SRK in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades (2004). Soon after the film released, the former beauty queen decided to quit Bollywood. She got married to builder Vikas Oberoi and has two sons with him. These days, she keeps making appearances at various page 3 events.

It would be interesting to see which category do Walushca and Mahira land in- Dhoom or Doom.

Thumbnail Image Source: bollywoodcity, lovelyheart and onefilmy