If there's one thing that emerged from the foggy haze of images on the Hindi silver screen in 2005, it was the lack of good storylines.

Hence the first real change in 2006 would be a return to strong, powerful plots.

As Vishal Bhardwaj says: "You can get away with bad screenplay, direction or performances if you have a solid storyline." One of the films to watch out for in 2006 would be Bhardwaj's "Othello". An offshoot of the back-to-basics plot search would be the advent of costume dramas.

J.P. Dutta's "Umrao Jaan", Ashutosh Gowariker's "Jodha-Akbar" and Chandraprakash Diwedi's "Prithiviraj-Sanjukta" are some of the elaborate period dramas on the anvil.

More search for plots...will take Hindi films through the remake route. Farhan Akhtar's "Don", Ram Gopal Varma's "Sholay" and David Dhawan's "Amar Akbar Anthony" are some films to explode with nostalgic fervour during 2006 in theatres.

A cluster of directors would also take cinema forward with pride and passion. Chief among the pioneering brigade is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saanvariya", Karan Johar's "Kabhi Alavidaa Na Kehna" and Sooraj Barjatya's "Vivah".

Says young actor Nakul Vaid who is currently playing a pivotal part in Gautam Ghose's new Hindi film "Yatra": "I'd pay the hefty ticket money at a multiplex to see a Bhansali, Johar or a Barjatya film. But I doubt I'd give the same importance to other director's works even if they are flush with star funds."

The most flush-funded films of 2006 includes Nikhil Advani's "Salaam-e-Ishq". Advani's episodic film stars half the industry from Salman Khan to Govinda...But, hey, Advani's erstwhile mentor Karan Johar has, hold your breath, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherjee, Abhishek Bachchan and Arjun Rampal.

So is 2006 going to be a star-studded year? Probably, like every year. But a lot of fresh talent is on the way.

Faces and talents to watch out for:
Sammir Dattani who made a career-breaking debut in "Uff...Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai" is working in the potentially career-making new film "Mukhbir" (earlier titled "The Informer") by Mani Shankar.

Says the director: "Dattani has an exceptionally vulnerable and sensitive face. He's definitely the actor to watch in 2006. In my film he plays a tough role of spy with remarkable fluency."

Ranbir Kapoor, son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, will be also seen in 2006. He has inherited his parent's spontaneity and his grandfather Raj Kapoor's romantic demeanour. These are the two faces of the coming year.

And the big wigs:
Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan will continue to rule the roost, though King Khan will be seen in only one film ("Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna"). Among the other Khans, Salman and Aamir have nothing extraordinary to look forward to this year except perhaps marriage (Salman is expected to finally settle down and Aamir has just done so again).

The Khan to watch:
Saif Ali Khan, who'll be seen in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "Eklavya" and Vishal Bhardwaj's "Othello", will consolidate the advantage he reaped in 2004 and 2005.

Caution and careful selection are the keys to survival. That's where Akshay Kumar is likely to be defeated - three films "Garam Masala", "Deewane Huey Paagal" and "Dosti" in six weeks at year-end...And lots more coming up.

Breakups: Vivek and Aishwarya have split for sure, though neither is admitting it. Ash will surprise everyone in 2006 with some truly unexpected moves on the professional and personal front.

Other predictions: Preity Zinta will tie the knot with Ness Wadia, Abhishek Bachchan will find the girl of his dreams, Kareena Kapoor will not marry Shahid in 2006 and Karisma's marriage will survive. Priyanka Chopra will remain single and career-focussed, Rani Mukherjee will remain everyone's favourite and Hema Malini will remain the most beautiful woman in the industry!