They fought, they danced, they pined, and they sizzled...the year 2002 was unfortunately not as experimental of a year in terms of roles for the actresses as was 2001. It seemed as though some were quite confused as to what it meant to do a 'powerful feminist' role. Karishma and Preity tried their luck with Shakti and Dil Hai Tumhaara, respectively, but the films bombed. Bipasha turned tough in Gunaah, but the critics tore the film apart. It turned out that the more powerful performances on behalf of the actresses came from roles that didn't necessarily aim to be woman-centric films...the masses and classes alike lapped up Madhuri and Aishwarya's performances in Devdas, while Rani stole the show in Mujhse Dosti Karoge and more recently Saathiya. Tabu as always impressed the critics in Zindagi Khoobsurat Hai, while Sushmita shone in Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Filhaal, and Aankhen, despite her supporting roles. This certainly goes to show that a woman-centric film or trying too hard to push feminism simply to impress one and all does not necessarily spell classic. A look at the actresses, and how they fared in the year 2002...

Madhuri Dixit-Nene:
Hits: Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam, Devdas
Misses: 0
Coming Up Next: No films confirmed as of yet.
Did You Know? The year was full of surprises for Mads. Not only did she launch a line of beauty products, but the long-delayed Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam was an overall hit, her performance as Chandramukhi in Devdas was a rage (not to mention the film is India's official entry to the Oscars); and, she's pregnant...what more could she ask for?

Aishwarya Rai:
Hits: Devdas, Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (special appearance)
Misses: Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, 23rd March 1931 ~ Shaheed (special appearance), Shakti (special appearance)
Coming Up Next: Dil Ka Rishta, Khakee, Kuch Na Kaho, Radheshyam Sitaram, Hum Panchchi Ek Daal Ke
Did You Know? During the shooting of Dola Re Dola, one of Aishwarya's heavy earrings scratched her ear, causing it to bleed quite a bit. However, being the professional that she is, Ash went on with the shoot and somehow managed to keep that beautiful smile on her face throughout the song, not to mention pull off those intricate dance steps with ease, all the while in excruciating pain... hats off to her for that!

Karisma Kapoor:
Hits: 0
Misses: Haan...Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, Shakti, Rishtey
Coming Up Next: Baaz, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Dil Ne Jisse Apna Kaha
Did You Know? Not only did her first film opposite beau Abhishek Bachchan, Haan...Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, see its release in the year 2002, but the two also finally openly-admitted to their relationship and announced their engagement and pending marriage. Though no exact date has been set, the marriage is apparently supposed to take place some time by the end of this year.

Kareena Kapoor:
Hits: 0
Misses: Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Jeena Sirf Mere Liye
Coming Up Next: Talaash, Khushi, LoC, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, Bewafa, Dil Chor
Did You Know? Lately she's ecstatic that her best friend Esha Deol has been added to the LoC crew. The two's friendship is much talked about as they always mention each other in one another's interviews and are gearing up for their first film together.

Bipasha Basu:
Hits: Raaz, Aankhen: A Dangerous Game (special appearance), Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai
Misses: Chor Machaaye Shor, Gunaah
Coming Up Next: Jism, Aitbaar, Nehlle Pe Dehlla, Footpath, Jaane Kya Hoga, Miyan Anari Biwi Khiladi, Rudraksh, Zameen
Did You Know? On the recent show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, Bipasha's friends went on and on about her hot temper. Yes, that's right...it doesn't take much to anger Bips. John Abraham even joked about how Bips punched him in the arm when she once got really irritated with him, and then she herself started crying. All the while John just stared at her in amazement wondering why she was upset in the first place, having been the one who hit him. But in the end he did comment that she is a sweet-natured person at heart and though her temper gets the best of her, there's no one else like her. (P.S. ~ Meanwhile Dino, sitting a few chairs away from them during the show, stared on sadly...makes you wonder)

Tabu:
Hits: 0
Misses: Maa Tujhe Salaam, Filhaal, Zindagi Khoobsurat Hai Other Releases: Saathiya (special appearance); too soon for box office verdict
Coming Up Next: Sarhad Paar, Jaal ? The Trap, Jadh
Did You Know? From a regular heroine in Maa Tujhe Salaam to a jealous wife in Filhaal to an alcoholic in Zindagi Khoobsurat Hai, it was definitely an experimental year for one of our industry's finest actresses. Tabu literally spells out versatility and though none of the films did well, she won lots of critical acclaim for her performances in Filhaal and ZKH, and is one of the few actresses who has been able to strike a perfect balance between commercial and art cinema.

Raveena Tandon:
Hits: 0
Misses: Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare, Soch, Agni Varsha, Wah Tera Kya Kehna
Coming Up Next: Satta, Sandhya, Pran Jaye Par Shan Na Jaye, Ek Hindustani, Vidroh, LoC, Aan, Aur Phir Ek Din, Hum Do Humara Ek
Did You Know? Of her forthcoming films, two are opposite ex-fiancé Akshay Kumar (Vidroh and Aan). But, Akki and Ravs (unlike Akki and Shilpa), have put the past behind them and though aren't necessarily friends, still share a polite relationship with one another.

Shilpa Shetty:
Hits: 0
Misses: Badhaai Ho Badhaai, Chor Machaaye Shor, Hathyar, Rishtey, Karz: The Burden of Truth
Coming Up Next: Junoon, Suraj Pe Dastak, Dil Churake Chal Diye
Did You Know? Despite being in the industry for some ten years, Shilpa finally got both critical acclaim and the audience's approval with Hathyar and Rishtey. This is probably the first time and only time the actress has been noticed since Dharmesh Dharshan's Dhadkan. As they say, better late than never!

Urmila Matondkar:
Hits: Deewangee
Misses: Om Jai Jagdish
Coming Up Next: Bhoot, Ek Haseena Thi, Aankh Micholi, Pinjar
Did You Know? "Good friend" Ram Gopal Varma has touted Bhoot as Ms. Matondkar's best performance 'till date. Urmila, quite amused by this, seems to think her best performance would be in Ek Haseena Thi. I guess we'll have to wait for both films and judge ourselves!

Manisha Koirala:
Hits: Company, Ek Chotti Si Love Story
Misses: Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani
Coming Up Next: Escape from Taliban, Taj Mahal, Market, Paisa Vasool, Samjautha Express, Waapsi, Mehbooba
Did You Know? She caused one of 2002's biggest controversy's by going against director Shashilal Nair for apparently shooting inappropriate scenes with a body double in the film Ek Chotti Si Love Story. Many suspect that the whole issue was a publicity stunt to set the cash registers ringing (which it did), but the truth remains unknown to this day.

Rani Mukherjee:
Hits: 0
Misses: Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Chalo Ishq Ladaaye
Other Releases: Saathiya (too soon for box office verdict)
Coming Up Next: Aziz Mirza's next, Waapsi
Did You Know? She started the trend of appearing in Adnan Sami music videos. Her appearance in 'Tera Chehra', the title track of Sami's latest album, was widely appreciated and later stars such as Mahima Chaudhary and Amitabh Bachchan joined the Sami video bandwagon.

Preity Zinta:
Hits: 0
Misses: Dil Hai Tumhaara
Coming Up Next: Koi Mil Gaya, Kal Ho Na Ho, Lakshya, Armaan, Dil Ne Jisse Apna Kaha, The Hero
Did You Know? She got along well with her Dil Hai Tumhaara female co-star Mahima Chaudhary. Preity even openly admits to having had some arguments with Mahima, but as Preity says, who doesn't argue? If anything, Preity has stated in many interviews that their main argument was over Preity wanting Mahima's hair.

Sushmita Sen:
Hits: Aankhen: A Dangerous Game
Misses: Filhaal, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge
Coming Up Next: Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye (special appearance), Bewafa, Main Hoon Na, Paisa Vasool
Did You Know? During the making of Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Sushmita and Salman finally ended the cold vibes they once shared during Biwi No. 1 and became good friends. Sushmita even spoke out in favor of both Salman and Aishwarya and against the many rumors that surrounded the ex-couple's relationship.

Mahima Chaudhary:
Hits: 0
Misses: Om Jai Jagdish, Dil Hai Tumhaara
Coming Up Next: Sarhad Paar, Rahen Na Rahen Hum, Hum Do Humara Ek, Tere Pyaar Ki Kasam, Panchi, Mastana
Did You Know? Another leading lady to star in an Adnan Sami video... this time the chart-topper in question is Adnan's song 'Tere Bina'.

Amisha Patel:
Hits: Humraaz
Misses: Kranti, Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, Yeh Hai Jalwa
Coming Up Next: Rahen Na Rahen Hum, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Devaa, Dil Dhadke Baar Baar, Humko Tumse Pyaar Haim Parwana
Did You Know? You'd think that starring in Mere Jeevan Saathi with 'rival' Kareena's sister Karishma would be awkward for Amisha. However, Amisha has stated that there are no cold vibes between her and Lolo, and if anything Lolo has been quite helpful during the shoot...nice to see our actresses acting professionally.

Diya Mirza:
Hits: 0
Misses: Tumko Na Bhool Payenge
Coming Up Next: Dum, Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye
Did You Know? She is currently seeing Bunty Sachdev; Diya herself claims, "I'm a regular girl in love. Bunty's my balance" So those of you who talked about a possible affair between Diya and Salman should guess again, cause it's been Bunty all along for the Mirza gal.

Antara Mali:
Hits: Company
Misses: Road
Coming Up Next: Ek Haseena Thi
Did You Know? If she could pick an item number to do herself, it would be Isha Koppikar's 'Khallas'. Apparently Antara was completely gung-ho over Isha's performance and facial expressions in what was undoubtedly the year's most popular item song. Well Antara, I'm sure the guys wouldn't mind seeing you do a 'Khallas', so...choice is yours.

Preeti Jhangiani:
Hits: Awara Paagal Deewana
Misses: Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (special appearance), Wah Tera Kya Kehna, Annarth
Coming Up Next: Baaz, LoC, Police Force, Jaane Kya Hoga
Did You Know? This gal disappeared after Mohabbatein due to a severe illness, which also lost her just about all the promising films she had on hand. The illness is also the reason behind her somewhat gloated look in Na Tum Jaano Na Hum and Awara Paagal Deewana, but of course after that she recovered and was back in full form, only the sad part is that the only movies she had on hand were Wah Tera Kya Kehna and Annarth. Nevertheless, she has recently signed some new promising projects, including J.P. Dutta's magnum opus LoC and Madhur Bhandarkar's (of Chandni Bar fame) Police Force. In the action flick Baaz, she even plays a police officer...looks like her career is back on track.

Kim Sharma:
Hits: 0
Misses: Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai, Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar
Coming Up Next: Nehlle Pe Dehlla, Taj Mahal
Did You Know? Kim won the critics' hearts in the year 2002 (something no one would have predicted) by stealing the show in a role similar to that of Urmila's in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya in the film Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai, and then appearing at ease in the Meet the Parents remake Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar. At least one of the Mohabbatein gals is going places!

Namrata Shirodkar:
Hits: 0
Misses: Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar, Hathyar
Coming Up Next: Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye, Insaaf, Purab Ki Laila Pachhim Ka Chaila
Did You Know? Another heroine was originally supposed to do Namrata's role in Dil Vil PyaarVyaar, but backed out quite literally at the last minute; Namrata received a call from the producer past midnight asking her to meet him the next day to hear the script and that was how she bagged the role. Well, she surely got rave reviews for her performance so the other heroine's loss was definitely Namrata's gain.

Sonali Kulkarni:
Hits: 0
Misses: Agni Varsha, Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar
Coming Up Next: Danav, Junoon, Lagi Prem Lagan, Mukt
Did You Know? She is trained in classical dancing. It has always been Sonali's dream to do a role requiring her to do a lot of dancing to show off those capabilities, a bit of which she got to do in the period drama Agni Varsha.

Hrishita Bhatt:
Hits: 0
Misses: Shararat, Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar
Coming Up Next: Haasil, Tere Pyaar Ki Kasam
Did You Know? Her next release will be Haasil opposite...yes, Jimmy Shergill again. The two have become quite good friends after shooting for both Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar and Haasil together, but READ: Jimmy is married and he and Hrishita are only friends...!

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Sabrina an e-mail @ Sabrina Kiran Siddiqui.