One actress who pushed Ash out of Top 10

There is only one actress in the Filmfare Power List — Rani Mukerji (No. 10), who's pushed Aishwarya Rai out of the Top Ten this year. While actresses corner much media attention and fan fervour, the film trade accords them far less importance because a film rarely sells on the strength of its heroine. Mukerji, obviously, headed the Top Ten Actresses List.

The other new entrants to the Top Ten this year were Rakesh Roshan (No. 5) and Salman Khan (No. 7). Roshan, who's had two mega successes on the trot ( Kaho Naa Pyar Hai and Koi Mil Gaya ) has started work on Koi Tumsa Nahin, a film already being talked about for a rumoured Rs 8 crore to be spent on its special effects and action. Salman Khan, with four movies and one big hit in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi , is clearly back in business after his nightmarish 2003 accident.

Amitabh Bachchan, unarguably the overpowering symbol of Hindi films today, has slipped to No. 8 in the trade's reckoning, perhaps because of a combination of overexposure (he did nine films last year and was seen in a series of ads as well) and some indifferent films. In contrast, Hrithik Roshan, who had just one film ( Lakshya ) last year, has moved up three places thanks to a fine performance and a growing reputation for perfectionism.

The other perfectionist, Aamir Khan, has come down two places to No. 4, but even that move could be impressive, given that he hasn't had a release in three years (his last film was Dil Chahta Hai in 2001). His next movie, The Rising, expected in June 2005, will be one of the year's most-awaited.

The other much-anticipated film is Black, a movie coming from Devdas director Sanjay Leela Bhansali (No. 9). Like many others in the Top Ten, Bhansali didn't have a release in 2004. In tinselville, as in other businesses, sustaining power scores.