Record breakers, mild successes, hopeless failures, run-of-the-mill...we witnessed them all last year. 2001 could on one hand be called one of the most experimental years in recent times, yet still one of the most disastrous. With no more than, if even, ten real box office successes in the given 12-month span, the year saw everything from underrated path-breaking cinema to purely overrated gloss. Some say patriotism was the order of the day, whereas others argue family dramas still ruled the roost. No matter what ruled and what didn't, however, our stars were not far behind the chaos. They rushed in and out of projects galore, depending on whatever the 'in' theme happened to be. And with that, here is a look at the actors and actresses and how they fared in the year 2001...

Running around trees, looking glamorous, and crying rape is no longer on the actresses' to-do list. Times are fast changing in amchi Mumbai, where our now very picky actresses are finally quite aware of what they are truly capable of. Better late than never, they say. Perhaps it is because of this that our more seasoned actresses chose to strive for roles of pure substance, or at least for the most part, and left the running-around-trees-and-dancing-on-mountaintops routine for the new gals. And with the critical acclaim of a film like 'Zubeida' and box office success of one like 'Chandni Bar', it seems safe to say that this is a welcome change indeed. So of our Hindi film lasses, who chose to leave behind the glam and try her hand at real acting, and who chose to stick to the naach-gaana routine? Read on and find out...

Kareena Kapoor:
Hits: Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, Asoka, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Misses: Yaadein
In Between: Ajnabee
Coming up Next: Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, Talaash
Did You Know: She's all set to go on her first overseas stage shows in May, along with big sis Karisma Kapoor as well as Hrithik Roshan, Aftab Shivdasani, Arjun Rampal, and singer Raageshwari.

Preity Zinta:
Hits: Dil Chahta Hai
Misses: Farz, Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke
In Between: Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Coming up Next: Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen, Koi Mil Gaya
Did You Know: Preity was originally scheduled to go on the same shows mentioned above, which were originally supposed to take place last year?but because of a change of dates she could not accommodate, she hopped onto the Craze 2001 bandwagon instead, featuring Aamir Khan, Ashwariya Rai, Akshaye Khanna, Anil Kapoor, and Gracy Singh.

Kajol Mukherjee-Devgan:
Hits: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Misses: Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi
Coming up Next: Rumor has it, Aditya Chopra's next opposite Shahrukh Khan?please note: no official announcement has yet been made.
Did You Know: Her latest desire is to open up a school for children, alongside hubby Ajay.

Tabu:
Hits: Chandni Bar
Misses: Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya
2002 Releases So Far: Fihaal & Maa Tujhe Salaam
Coming up Next: Sarhad Paar
Did You Know: Sarhad Paar sees Tabbu acting opposite Chandrachur Singh for the third time after Maachis (1996) and Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya (2001).

Amisha Patel:
Hits: Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
Misses: Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar
2002 Releases So Far: Kranti
Coming up Next: Yeh Hai Jalwa (aka Family No. 1), Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai, Aap Mujhe Ache Lagne Lage, Suno Sasurji
Did You Know: Yeh Hai Jalwa began as a Salman-Sanjay Dutt-Karisma starrer, that was later shelved; the title was once again picked up and turned into a Salman-Amisha-Rishi film, then evolved into Family No. 1, and has now gone back to the title Yeh Hai Jalwa.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene:
Hits: 0
Misses: Lajja, Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke
Coming up Next: Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam, Devdas
Did You Know: Her 'Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke' co-star Ajay Devgan was thrilled to bits to be working with her, because he has had a massive crush on the actress since she began acting.

Rani Mukherjee:
Hits: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Misses: Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai, Nayak - The Real Hero
Average: Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Coming up Next: Chori Chori, Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai
Did You Know: Rani was the first heroine to be offered 'Lagaan', but because of the film's six-month schedule in Bhuj, which she could not give dates to, Rani was unable to accept good friend Aamir's project.

Ashwariya Rai:
Hits: 0
Misses: Albela
Coming up Next: Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam, Devdas, Taj Mahal, Dreamz Unlimited's next
Did You Know: Ashwariya is playing Mumtaz in the forthcoming 'Taj Mahal'; incidentally, Manisha Koirala is also enacting the role of Mumtaz in a film by the same name.

Karisma Kapoor:
Hits: 0
Average: Ek Rishtaa
Misses: Aashiq, Zubeidaa
2002 Releases So Far: Haan... Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya
Coming up Next: Shakti
Did You Know: Karisma's forthcoming film 'Shakti' is a remake of the Sally Field classic 'Not Without My Daughter'. Shahrukh was originally supposed to play her tyrannical husband, but was later forced to opt out of the film; however, all is not lost, for the Khan has still made a special appearance in the film.

Raveena Tandon:
Hits: 0
Misses: Abhay, Aks, Daman
Coming up Next: Soch, Agnivarsha, Madhur Bhandarkar's next
Did You Know: Raveena won her first National Award for her performance in the film 'Daman'. Though the award was surrounded by controversies stating the function was rigged, it was later cleared that Ravs did indeed win her award fair and square.

Manisha Koirala:
Hits: 0
Misses: Moksha, Lajja, Abhay, Grahan, Chuppa Rustam
Coming up Next: Escape from Taliban
Did You Know: After a long so-called 'rivalry' with Madhuri Dixit, the two finally buried the hatchet and ending up becoming quite good friends during the making of Lajja.

Mahima Choudhary:
Hits: 0
Misses: Lajja & Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar
Coming up Next: Rahen Na Rahen Hum, Om Jai Jagdish, Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar, Tere Pyaar Ki Kasam, Dil Hai Tumhara
Did You Know: Though she didn't have many scenes with Madhuri and Rekha in Lajja, she and Manisha got along like a house on fire.

Shilpa Shetty:
Hits: Indian
Misses: 0
Coming up Next: Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Badhai Ho Badhai, Junoon
Did You Know: She met with an accident during the filming of a 'suhaag raat' scene in 'Badhai Ho Badhai' and came up with some bad burns. Mercifully, it wasn't too serious and she was easily treated.

Sushmita Sen:
Hits: 0
Misses: Kyon Ke Main Jhooth Nahin Bolta, Nayak (special appearance)
2002 Releases So Far: Filhaal & Tumko Na Bhool Payenge
Coming up Next: M.F. Husain's next
Did You Know: She was recently named one of the most successful 25 Asian females in the world in the international magazine 'Elle'.

Sonali Bendre:
Hits: 0
Average: Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega
Misses: Tera Mera Saath Rahen
Coming up Next: Chori Chori & Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaata
Did You Know: Rumor has it she's engaged to director Goldie Behl, but she denies these rumors saying that they are seeing each other, but marriage is still far away.

Twinkle Khanna:
Hits: Jodi No. 1
Average: Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega
Misses: 0
Coming up Next: Nothing signed as of yet
Did You Know: She's opened her own interior decorating business and is currently working on decorating Tabbu's new home?

Urmila Matondkar:
Hits: 0
Average: Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya
Misses: 0
Coming up Next: Deewangi, Om Jai Jagdish, Pinjar
Did You Know: She has a special song appearance in Ram Gopal Verma's next film, 'Company'. This will be Urmila's third song appearance after Chamma Chamma from 'China Gate' and Aahiye from 'Lajja'.

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