HARSHAALI MALHOTRA

As a mute six-year-old Pakistani girl who finds herself alone in India till Salman Khan’s Bajrangi comes to her rescue, Harshaali Malhotra was a knockout in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, the year’s top money-spinner and the second-biggest Bolly hit of all time. From her angelic face and winning smile to the chemistry with Salman to her ability to hold our attention without speaking a word, six-year-old Harshaali became a star overnight and a little big reason for the repeat audience for the Kabir Khan film. Reason enough for Kabir Khan to tell t2: “Everyone wants to know: ‘Who’s this girl? Who’s this girl?’ She created magic on screen.”

JUGAL HANSRAJ

The only Bolly child actor Harshaali is being compared to is Jugal Hansraj in Masoom, Shekhar Kapur’s desi retelling of the Erich Segal bestseller Man Woman and Child. Playing a nine-year-old who is thrust into his father’s family — comprising his wife and two daughters — after his mother dies, Jugal’s wide-eyed innocence won all our hearts. His helplessness in a new world makes us tear up even today. Jugal starred in a few more films and ads as a child star. And then, sadly, he grew up (to act in films like Aa Gale Lag Jaa and Mohabbatein and direct a dud called Pyaar Impossible!).

KUNAL KHEMU

The leading man of films like Traffic Signal and Kalyug and now married to Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu was for long one of the most promising child actors in Bolly. Starring as a 10-year-old in Mahesh Bhatt’s Sir, Kunal played a pivotal part in films like Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke, Raja Hindustani, Dushman and Zakhm. As a leading man, Kunal hasn’t had half the success he enjoyed as a child star. 

THE CHILLAR PARTY GANG

Even four years after its release, Chillar Party’s lively knee-high bunch ensures that we often tune in to its TV re-reuns. Directors Vikas Bahl and Nitesh Tiwari came up with a novel subject — a group of kids taking on a corrupt minister so that a street dog is allowed to stay on in their locality — and the child stars got Chillar Party a National Award. Our fave? Naman Jain as Jangiya.

PARTHO GUPTE

Amole Gupte’s debut directorial effort Stanley Ka Dabba was an extraordinary watch thanks to his son Partho. The 10-year-old’s winning turn as a spirited orphan won him a National Award. Last year, Partho starred in his dad’s Hawa Hawaai, again delivering with his act of a poor boy determined to hone his skating skills.

DARSHEEL SAFARY

The buck-toothed poor little lost boy of Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par ran straight into our hearts with his debut film. Darsheel Safary breathed life into the character of Ishan Awasthi, making the eight-year-old’s trials and tribulations mirror so many of our own. Amole Gupte, who was slated to direct the film before Aamir took over, said he chose Darsheel because “he had the mischief in his eyes to be Ishaan”. Darsheel then starred in forgettable films like Zokkomon and participated in Season 7 of dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Today, the 19-year-old is studying to get a commerce degree.

SANA SAEED

As a precocious eight-year-old out to reunite her dad with his college buddy, she may have grated on the nerves in some scenes, but Sana’s Anjali scored in some scenes of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai — “Papa, apna pant toh pehn lo!” to the school’s extempore speech contest. After playing second fiddle to Alia Bhatt in Student of the Year, Sana is now a talentless fixture on many a TV reality show.

PARZAN DASTUR

Parzan was the far more pleasing child presence in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, his silent Sardar act being a top draw of this Karan Johar debut. Even today his lone dialogue, “Tussi jaa rahey ho? Tussi naa jao...”, remains the awww moment of the film. Parzan first shot into the limelight as the cute kid (remember “Jalebi?”) in the Dhara Oil ad and was later seen in a few films — Mohabbatein to Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Parzania to Sikandar.

MACAULAY CULKIN

Considered the most successful child artiste since Shirley Temple (in the 1930s), Macaulay Culkin started his career playing bit parts but became a household name as the adorable and precocious Kevin McCallister in the Home Alone films. Ranked number two on VH1’s list of the “100 Greatest Kid-Stars” and E!’s list of the “50 Greatest Child Stars”, Culkin was a billionaire by 12, becoming especially close to Michael Jackson. Unable to handle his success, the child prodigy retired from acting by 14, making news only for drug abuse and street violence. 

DAKOTA FANNING

Now 21, Dakota Fanning became a star at age eight with I Am Sam, making jaws drop with her turn as a young girl with a father who has developmental disabilities. Over the next few years, the spunky Dakota starred in a host of biggies, holding her own opposite the likes of Tom Cruise (War of the Worlds) and Denzel Washington (Man on Fire). A break from acting and dabbling in modelling later, Dakota returned to the big screen with films like Twilight and Coraline. 

JADEN SMITH

As an eight-year-old, he stole the spotlight from his father Will Smith in his debut film The Pursuit of Happyness. Jaden’s natural and unaffected act earned him tags like “exceptional” and “supremely talented”. He starred in The Karate Kid with Jackie Chan, The Day The Earth Stood Still with Keanu Reeves, and After Earth with dad Will. Today, 17-year-old Jaden divides his time between his music and acting careers.

THE HARRY POTTER TRIO

“The trio’s selection was arguably one of the best show-business decisions over the past decade...” was the observation of The Los Angeles Times. Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger were the perfect candidates for their roles in the smash-hit Harry Potter films. The three became overnight sensations and the inspiration for many a generation, racing through their teen years of frenzied superstardom. Today, Radcliffe is a sought-after actor, Watson is a real shero, and Grint pops up with a role every now and then.

DREW BARRYMORE

Who can forget the adorable Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s ET. Drew Barrymore, then just seven, redefined cute as the young girl who is initially terrified of the alien that comes visiting, but gradually starts to love him. The film made Drew one of Hollywood’s most recognised child actors, until she fell prey to a life of drugs. But she quickly bounced back, starring in films like Charlie’s Angels and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Today, the 40-year-old mom of two is a rom com darling (er yes, we loved Music and Lyrics!).

Who is your favourite child star? Tell t2@abp.in