These gorgeous women will be rocking Bollywood in 2015

Anushka Sharma

Her much-publicised relationship with Virat Kohli isn’t why Anushka Sharma is one of Bollywood’s biggest newsmakers of the moment. The PK actress stars in some of the most-awaited releases of the year. What’s more, she features in roles that seem full of substance, a far cry from the usual heroine-as-hunk-accessory. Releasing early March is NH10, the title referring to the National Highway where much of the action takes place. In this one, Anushka plays a woman who takes on a band of thugs who harass a woman. She’s also co-producing the film.

Anushka’s other big film, Bombay Velvet, hits the screens soon after. It’s another unusual role; she plays Rosie Noronha, an in-demand jazz singer in Bombay of the 60s. It’s a glamorous retro look for her in this film by Anurag Kashyap. Anushka Sharma’s third release for the year will be Zoya Akhtar’s Dil Dhadakane Do, in which she is part of an ensemble cast that includes Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar.

Katrina Kaif

Kat is still reigning diva with two big-ticket films lined up for the year. She stars as a secret agent alongside Saif Ali Khan in Phantom by Kabir Khan. It’s a film about counter-terrorism set in the wake of the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. Worth waiting and watching to see how the usually glamorous Ms Kaif slips into this role. Later in the year, Katrina has Jagga Jasoos releasing. In the film about a young detective searching for his father, the actress apparently has kissing scenes with real life beau Ranbir Kapoor. That should really steam things up.

Priyanka Chopra

PC, who ended last year on a high note with the success of Mary Kom, in which she played the title role, will be seen in Zoya Akhtar’s Dil Dhadakane Do this year. What’s more, the actress who’s branched out on to a singing career has sung the title track for the movie. Priyanka Chopra also has a supporting role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani. Other upcoming projects include Madamji, by Madhur Bhandarkar, in which she plays a dancer who becomes a politician. Priyanka has also signed Gangajal 2, a political thriller by Prakash Jha.

Deepika Padukone

Katrina Kaif’s loss is Deepika Padukone’s gain. The Bollywood buzz is that Katrina was first offered the lead in Bajirao Mastani, which is a period film by Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the Maratha Peshwa Bajirao. The project which seemed to have lost steam mid-way, has now been revived. Playing the title role is Ranveer Singh, romantically linked with Deepika. They’d also shared screen space in Bhansali’s previous film Goliyon ki Rasleela Ram-Leela.

Aditi Rao Hydari

Aditi Rao Hydari is all set to make a big splash this year. The first of her releases this year is The Legend of Michael Mishra, Manish Jha’s comic drama that hits the screens in March. She also features in another comedy, Guddu Rangeela, starring Arshad Warsi. Then, there’s Sudhir Mishra’s erotic drama, Aur Devdas, in which Aditi plays Chandramukhi. Bejoy Nambiar’s Wazir has also come as a bonanza for the actress. She gets to share screen time with Amitabh Bachchan in the film.

Sonam Kapoor

The Khoobsurat actress couldn’t have asked for more. She features in a family drama by Sooraj Barjatya and it’s set for a splash-out Diwali release. She’s cast opposite Salman Khan in this one and that should certainly send her ratings soaring.

Jacqueline Fernandes

The Sri Lankan beauty queen will next be seen in Roy, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal. She has a dual role in the film and says that while one was close to her own personality, they other was introverted and dark and a challenge to pull off. The film has been billed as a romantic thriller and has Valentine’s Day release.