2004 as any disillusioned moviegoer will tell you, was a terrible year for new faces. Hardly anyone made an impact worth mentioning. And those who did, were let down by the quality and performance of their debut film. But wait! There?s hope for 2005. Acting talent comes from unexpected quarters in the coming year. Here?s looking at the faces that should go places in 2005.

ayesha kapoor: Nine, and so fine! Sanjay Leela Bhansali?s new discovery in Black is a nine-year-old Ayesha Kapoor from Pondicherry. Playing a physically disabled, psychologically disordered, traumatised and maladjusted childhood version of Rani Mukherjee, little Ayesha rips the screen apart in Bhansali?s Black. According to the director, her understanding of her complex character and her interaction with her formidable costar, Amitabh Bachchan, was so intense and complete that she played her character far beyond what the script had stipulated. Born of mixed Indian-German parentage, Ayesha is definite star material. ?Acting is all she ever wants to do,? says Bhansali. And predicts: ?She?s going to be a major star one day.? Meanwhile, Ayesha Kapoor?s child act dwarfs every juvenile performance seen in Hindi cinema.

Isha Sharvani: On the same day when little Ayesha Kapoor makes a bludgeoning impact in Black (January 21) Subhash Ghai unveils his new discovery. Model turned actress Isha Sharvani was chosen to star opposite Vivek Oberoi in Kisna from among dozens of hopefuls. Knowing Subhash Ghai?s almost-unrelenting eye for feminine beauty (didn?t he launch/relaunch Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Mahima Choudhary?) Isha Sharvani should shimmer across the screen with tantalising success.

Sammir dattani: So, all right. His Hindi debut in Uff?Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai didn?t go far at the box-office. But the Rajshri banner?s blue-eyed boy Sammir Dattani is the youngest and most sought-after hero in Bollywood since Shahid Kapur. A big draw in Kannada films where he has been part of two major blockbusters, Sammir?s Hindi assignment is Percept Pictures? romantic love story with Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia and Soha Ali Khan, and a film to be shot in Chicago to be directed by Pakistani?s comic star Omar Sharif where Sammir plays a rock star.

SOHA ali khan: Pedigree shows. Sharmila Tagore?s daughter is inundated with assignments. Having done two Bengali films (including one with director Rituparno Ghosh where she costars with Abhishek Bachchan) Soha makes her Hindi debut in Anant Mahadevan?s Dil Maange More with Shahid. Other assignments include Percept?s romantic film (tentatively titled Pal Tham Gaya) with the much sought-after ?outsider? Sammir Dattani.

abhay deol: The Empire strikes again. Well-connected youngsters from within the film industry seem to be still flooding the industry. Sunny and Bobby?s cousin, Abhay, makes his debut this January in the low-budget Socha Na Tha. According to Sunny, Abhay is more star material than both the Deol brothers. Should we take his word for it?

Harman baweja: Another industry insider, Harman Baweja is being launched with Kareena Kapoor in a hi-tech, slick-and-span romantic musical. With Papa Baweja?s foolproof production plans and the hot-and-happening Kareena as costar (she has been paid Rs 2.5 crores to be paired with a newcomer), can Harman go wrong? Ask Priyanka.

Mohit alaawat: His debut in a film called James is being kept under wraps by his mentor Ram Gopal Varma. But in private conversation Varma predicts that Alaawat would be the hottest and most complete star-actor since Hrithik Roshan.

Sikandar kher: Though no project has been finalised for this long-haired, thoroughly unconventional looking son of Kirron Kher, it?s pretty evident that Sikandar would be going into his mother?s profession. His extraordinarily tall frame and his look of a 70s? rockstar makes him an oddity in Bollywood. He?s likely to be signed for a film in the near future.

Karan sharma: Ah, another industry insider. Son of former actor and producer Romesh Sharma, Karan is being given a ?foolproof? launch. Papa?s of course producing the film, Dil Jo Bhi Kahey, which is shot completely in Mauritius. Sharma has also got dear friend Amitabh Bachchan to play sonny-boy?s father. Serves him right.

Sidhartha Koirala: Manisha Koirala?s baby brother?s delayed debut finally takes place in early 2005 in the low-key, Fun: Can Be Dangerous Sometimes. Even if he has only a fraction of his sister?s charm and talent, Sid?s career should take off.