SAGARIKA GHATGE, 20, actor
Buzz: Chak De scene stealer, great Bollywood promise
Make it mantra: Be selective
Sagarika Ghatge has the makings of a star – pretty face, sensuous body and decent acting skills. But what sets her apart from her contemporaries is her incredible luck. She was among the last to be selected for centre forward Preeti Sabharwal’s role in Chak De India, the biggest hit of 2007, opposite Shah Rukh Khan in a Yash Raj production. Like her on-screen persona, Sagarika is focussed about her career. Rather than being lured by big banners and going on a signing spree, she is treading her path to stardom cautiously. The fresh-faced debutante has some movies in her kitty but refuses to divulge anything more.

The actor is hugely inspired by prominent people in different professions who have made it on their own merit. She admires Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor. What motivates her is the drive to excel in a fiercely competitive world where everyone is working hard and pursuing his or her dreams passionately.

Before joining films, Sagarika imagined that being an actor would be her greatest challenge. But with Chak De... under her belt, she now thinks living up to her image would pose an even bigger challenge. “I always wanted people to like me. Now that they’ve loved me, I want them to continue liking me. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I know Chak De... can’t be made again, but I have to act in films that live up to it. I can’t let the audience down.”

The actor, who has graced quite a few events as a showstopper, has an individualistic sense of style and opts for anything that’s comfortable. She likes Manish Malhotra, Tarun Tahiliani and Raghavendra Rathod among Indian designers and de-stresses by listening to music and practicing kathak. The national athlete wants to learn squash and stay fit. This year, she just wants to act, act and act. “I’d love to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and be in a Yash Raj film with Shah Rukh Khan.”