They don't get much screen mileage and their mugs don't make it to the film posters

Yet, no less talented than the lead heroes/heroines, this new group of supporting actors has managed to get and hold our attention. We present nine of the best actors who are still in the sidelines but might be deserving much more.

Swara Bhaskar

Demure and dusky, Swara Bhaskar has an undeniable sex appeal. Coming from a theatre background in Delhi, this girl has just about managed to find a foothold in films like Tanu Weds Manu and a meaty role in Listen...Amaya.


Last release: Aurangzeb

Next film: Raanjhanaa

Best thing about Bollywood: `Talent never goes to waste in this industry. It might take time in some cases but rarely ever recognition fails to happen. Beside, it spoils you to bits, which is the best part!`

Worst thing about Bollywood: `The whole six-pack obsession that actors have. `

What people don't know: `I'm a very rash driver and rickshawwallahs in Mumbai fear me. `

Pitobash Tripathy

His short stature can easily be overlooked by the kind of talent he displays when on screen. First noted for his tiny role in 3 Idiots, I Am Kalam and Shor in the City made him stand out. He later played a small but significant part in Shanghai.


Last release: Aalaap

Next film: Once Upon a time in Mumbaai 2

Best thing about Bollywood: `Getting to express oneself without any inhibition and receiving a lot more in return. `

Worst thing about Bollywood: `Rumours. Your personal life becomes public life and you're expected to be calm about it. `

What people don't know: `I'm an extremely introverted person. `

Parambrata Chatterjee

Intense and with that good-boy-you-can-take-home-to-mamma look, Parambrata was first noticed in Bollywood when he played the charming second fiddle to Vidya Balan's character in Kahaani. He later disappeared from the scene. Turns out he was busy in Bengali cinema.


Last release: Kahaani

Next film: Gang of Ghosts

Best thing about Bollywood: `Every actor automatically wants to be part of the Hindi film industry and I'm no different. The very fact that I'm doing Hindi films is the best part. `

Worst thing about Bollywood: `Long and stressful working hours and that private life going for a toss. `

What people don't know: `I did my Masters in film-writing and film-making from UK. Also, I'm a trained guitarist. `

Kunal Roy Kapur

In a world full of lean, mean machines, Kunal Roy Kapur stands quite comfortable in his rather flabby body. This boy made a directorial debut with The President is Coming, but he eventually moved to acting and was appreciated for his work in Delhi Belly as well as Nautanki Saala.


Last release: Nautanki Saala

Next film: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Best thing about Bollywood: `I get the chance to do some of those few things I'm good at. `

Worst thing about Bollywood: `Sometimes you are a victim of others' assumptions about you and you can't do anything about it. `

What people don't know: `I'm a proud father of two children!`

Dolly Ahluwalia

She is the perfect embodiment of the modern mother far away from the traditional sacrificing maa. A National Award-winning costume designer who doubles up as an actress too, Dolly was much appreciated for her confident work in Vicky Donor.


Last release: Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana

Next film: Bhajate Raho

Best thing about Bollywood: `You get the opportunity to know yourself because it's difficult to play someone else without knowing yourself. `

Worst thing about Bollywood: `You tend to face lies and liars which is alarming. `

What people don't know: `I'm a very God-fearing person. `

Adil Hussain

He is tall, dark and if his lady fans are to be believed, quite sexy too. Adil Hussain is best remembered for his realistic husband act to Sridevi in English Vinglish. The accomplished actor with a rich theatre experience was also seen in films like Ishqiya, Life of Pi, Agent Vinod and Lessons in Forgetting.


Last release: The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Next film: Sunrise

Best thing about Bollywood: `You get a lot of attention than you most probably deserve!`

Worst thing about Bollywood: `The freedom to be a stranger on the street is gone as I don't like being watched in public. `

What people don't know: `I'm a trained clown and tomfoolery used to be my daily profession before I made big the switch to acting. `

Rajesh Sharma

He tried his luck in Bollywood earlier with Gulzar's Maachis. Then this gem of an actor went back to to Bengali films but then got back with films like Khosla Ka Ghosla, No One Killed Jessica, Chillar Party, The Dirty Picture and Special 26.


Last release: Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana

Next film: Lele Meri Jaan

Best thing about Bollywood: `The industry teaches you to be patient and I'm already a patient person. `

Worst thing about Bollywood: `I'm very lazy and it only makes things difficult. `

What people don't know: `I struggled a lot during my early National School of Drama (NSD) days. `

Jaideep Ahlawat

Tall, strapping young man, Jaideep made his strong Bollywood debut with Aakrosh. However, it was his performance in Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur that make people sit up and notice him.


Last release: Vishwaroopam

Next film: Vishwaroopam 2

Best thing about Bollywood: `Ironically, you discover yourself in front of the camera and get to rub shoulders with established names`

Worst thing about Bollywood: `Recognition is not guaranteed and stability can become an issue. ` What people don't know: I'm very fond of driving. In fact, I'm in Jaipur on my way to Mumbai from Delhi in my car, as we speak!

Deepak Dobriyal

He might not be conventionally good looking, but there's something about Deepak Dobriyal's demeanour that makes it difficult to take one's eyes off him on screen. Beginning with theatre in Delhi, he went on to act in films like Delhi 6, Omkara, Maqbool and Dabanng 2.


Last release: Dabanng 2

Next film: Democracy Pvt Ltd

Best thing about Bollywood: `You get to live several lifetimes within a single lifetime. `

Worst thing about Bollywood: `You don't always get the roles you'd love to essay, especially those roles which you know you'd be great at. `

What people don't know: `I take time out few months a year without fail to go to Garhwal for farming. `