Akshay Kumar's New Heroines In Bollywood - Ileana D'Cruz Joins The List With 'Rustom'

In a rich career spanning close to 25 years, Akshay Kumar has done close to 125 films already. During this span, he has also launched, or re-launched new girls in the industry while also pairing up with an actress for the first time ever. Let's take a look.

Ileana D'Cruz- (Rustom)

Ileana D'Cruz has made a good career down South and enjoyed an impressive start with Barfi! as well. This was followed by Phata Poster Nikhla Hero, a moderate success, and Main Tera Hero, a clean hit. Happy Ending wasn't quite a happy situation for Ileana but 20 months down the line, she now has Rustom with Akshay Kumar. It is indeed a good break for the beautiful lady who has a meaty role to boast of here.

Nimrat Kaur - (Airlift)

Nimrat Kaur impressed one and all with The Lunchbox. Next, she went on to have a wonderful role to play in the latest season of TV Series Homeland. However, for her mainstream Bollywood outing, she decided to wait. It all seems worth it as she came up with a good act as Akshay Kumar's wife in Airlift. While doing really well in some of the pivotal scenes in the film, one now looks forward to her next.

Amy Jackson - (Singh Is Bliing)

She acted well in Ekk Deewana Tha. However, the film with Prateik sunk without a trace. Meanwhile, Amy Jackson went on to have a good career kick-start down South, with her latest release I (with Vikram) turning out to be a smash success. She was re-launched by Akshay Kumar in Bollywood with Singh Is Bliing. As a foreign returned girl who doesn't understand a word in Hindi, her character was good fun.

Madhurima Tuli - (Baby)

Madhurima Tuli isn't new to the world of films and TV. However, good success evaded her in films like Warning, Kaalo and Cigarette Ki Tarah. No wonder, she didn't bat an eyelid when an offer came her way to play Akshay Kumar's wife in Baby. Though her role was miniscule, those three-four scenes that she got did leave an impact. It wasn't a launch per se but presence with Akshay in the same frame counted.

Trisha - (Khatta Meetha)

When Trisha decided to step her feet into Bollywood, the idea was to have a good combination of co-star and director. A very popular face down South, it had to be a performance oriented part. This is the reason why she chose Khatta Meetha that had names like Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan involved. She took the risk of playing a de-glam part, that of a senior government official. She hasn't returned though.

Neetu Chandra, Nargis Bagheri, Daisy Bopanna - (Garam Masala)

As many as three girls were launched in Priyadarshan's Garam Masala. Playing air hostesses, Neetu Chandra, Nargis Bagheri and Daisy Bopanna were good in their parts. Along with Akshay, they did get a good comic timing on display. Between the three though, only Neetu managed to grab a few chances and continues to be around with some films. Rest have more or less disappeared from the scene.

Divya Khosla - (Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo)

It was more than a decade ago when Divya Khosla decided to step into the world of glamour. In the action entertainer, she played the young wife of Akshay Kumar in Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo. Post this, she didn't pursue acting career any further and moved on to directing music videos. Last year, she made her debut as a director with Yaariyan which turned out to be a good commercial success. Currently, she is directing Sanam Re.

Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta - (Andaaz)

As many as two beauty queens were launched in Andaaz. Though Priyanka Chopra had been seen in a special appearance in Sunny Deol starrer The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, it was Andaaz with which she made a powerful debut. On the other hand Lara Dutta too stepped into Bollywood with the film and impressed many. Both actresses went on to do quite a few successful films with Akshay over the years.

Bipasha Basu - (Ajnabee)

It was way back in 2001 when Bipasha Basu made a stunning debut opposite Akshay Kumar in Ajnabee. Though her part in the film was grey, she didn't hesitate and brought in a good mix of sensuality and glamour into play. Her song with Akshay, 'Mehbooba', is remembered till date and together. They didn't do too many films together though.

Antara Mali - (Khiladi 420)

Her small, but important part in Urmila Matondkar starrer Mast got Antara Mali good visibility. However, her big commercial break as a leading lady came with Khiladi 786 where she played Akshay Kumar's moll. Though it would have seemed that the doors of Bollywood would open for her post the biggie, this didn't quite turn out to be the case. Today, she has retired from the world of films.

Shanti Priya - (Saugandh)

For his debut movie Saugandh, Akshay Kumar had another debutant, Shanti Priya, who was making her entry into Hindi films. The two did come across as a good couple in the film and later were also seen together in Ikke Pe Ikka. Soon enough though, she hung her boots and turned her back to the world of films. Akshay Kumar though has continued as a top leading man ever since and is still making films.