The assault of Bollywood's top guns has been so intense in 2004 that in the New Year, big names like Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Chopra could take a backseat and let the underdogs take over.

What is striking about the line up of major films in store for 2005 is that after an overdose of movies featuring Shah Rukh and Salman Khan, the stars will more or less disappear from the marquees for most of next year.

Shah Rukh's calendar for 2005 includes producing a film to be directed by Amol Palekar in February, which going by the filmmaker's repertoire, will hardly be the stuff to entice the masses.

The actor, however, says, "It will be a typical Shah Rukh Khan movie. Simple, interesting and nice. And Rani Mukherjee is on."

Besides he will be doing a film with Karan Johar in April but given the lengthy post-production work that the filmmaker is known to indulge in, the film is unlikely to see the light of day this year.

Though many were hoping that Aditya Chopra's next would feature Shah Rukh and recreate the magic of the past, the actor says he has not been approached yet. As a result the only reasonable bet of seeing him in a masala entertainer will be in Farah Khan's next film. But the newly married choreographer-director is said to be in no hurry to wrap up the film this year.

Salman, on the other hand, has no big film ready for release in the near future. He is said to be working on his first Hollywood production, but there is no word from his producers about the release date of the film.

Aishwarya Rai will continue to sculpt a career in Hollywood, though her maiden foreign film - Bride & Prejudice - was seen as neither a true Bollywood extravaganza nor a Hollywood flick.

No big film of hers is slated for release in the domestic market barring a teenybopper romance with Zayed Khan.

Coming back to the male actors though, Aamir Khan will return to the silver screen but however hard he may try, his fan following is limited to urban sectors and is definitely not the kind that flocks for a Salman film.

Aamir's first film after a gap of nearly four years - Mangal Pandey - has the potential to be a blockbuster but given the track record of the maker of the film, it is likely to be packaged as an upmarket product aimed at urban crowds.

The film is a larger than life portrayal of the firebrand-revolutionary Mangal Pandey set against the backdrop of the 1857 Mutiny. It concerns a strong bond that developed between the heroic freedom fighter Pandey and his British commanding officer William Gordon (played by Toby Stephens).

The friendship is soon challenged, thanks to a charming young aristocrat, Emily Kent (Coral Beed), and then of course by the introduction of controversial new gun-cartridges among the troops.

Given the multiple financial and other crises that the film has been going through, its release date is not certain.

The New Year will, in all likelihood, belong to stars, who have for long remained under the shadows of the Khans. Vivek Oberoi in Kisna is a good contender.

Says the film's director Subhash Ghai, "His role in Kisna was not easy. Vivek has the ability to get under the skin of a character. I've also heard he's really good in Soham Shah's Kaal ."

The bilingual Kisna - two versions for Indian and international audiences - will hit the theatres January 21. Set in the 1930s, the film recreates the final days of British rule in the Himalayan region through an Indian of humble origin (Vivek) who falls in love with a British girl (Antonio Bernath).

Coming after the flop Yaadein , this is clearly Ghai's vital test at the turnstiles.

After watching Abhishek Bachchan deliver in Dhoom , Yuva and others, it is hoped that this year he will finally shine.

Maverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is of the opinion that after the release of Sarkar , Abhishek will surpass all. "He's a man among boys," says Varma. That Abhishek will leave no stone unturned this year is clear from the fact that he has agreed to be seen along with his legendary father Amitabh Bachchan onscreen.

The first official film of the father and son duo will be Sarkar which is Varma's take on The Godfather.

Abhishek is also part of a fun film - Babli And Bunty which is slated for an April release. This racy chase-flick is about two small-town con-people (Rani Mukerjee and Abhishek) on the run, trailed by a top-cop (Amitabh Bachchan).

Incidentally, talk about Amitabh having put in his career's best performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black is making the otherwise sober film hot.

Saif Ali Khan is among the hot contenders for ruling the marquees in 2005.

He will be in Pradeep Sarkar's directorial debut Parineeta and praise has come his way from none other than Karan Johar who says, "He plays Shekhar, the spoilt but vulnerable rich kid who doesn't know what he wants in life. I think he'll be unbeatable after this film."

Johar himself will change track this year. He is coming up with a suspense thriller that is being directed by his assistant Soham Shah.

The choice of Ajay Devgan as the lead in the film itself is a clear indication that it will not be a bit like Karan's trademark products. The only constant will probably be an appearance by Shah Rukh Khan.

Hrithik Roshan and his illustrious father Rakesh Roshan have chosen not to stray too far from the beaten track and will come out with sequel Koi Mil Gaya 2 .

Hrithik will be paired with Priyanka Chopra though the film attempts to explore the relationship between a grandmother and grandson.

This will be Hrithik's first film with his father, in which he will return to the super hero form, which had brought him instant stardom in Kaho Na Pyaar Hai.