These stars couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year, professionally. Boosted by the success of their releases, their performances came in for plentiful praise, as well. Take a bow, winning brigade!

Salman Khan
Tiger Zinda Hai became Salman Khan's third film, after Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan, to cross the prestigious Rs.300 crore mark. This makes him the first and only B-town actor with a hat-trick in super league Rs.300 crore club. Hailed as the ‘centrifugal force’ of the film, Salman was praised for his commanding presence and powerful performance, especially in the film's high-octane action sequences.

Deepika Padukone
After being the target of pre-release hate for supposedly essaying Rani Padmini in a misleading light, Padmaavat presented Deepika in a manner so regal and powerful, she practically achieved goddess-like status. Praise poured in from every quarter – including her ex, Ranbir’s parents Neetu and Rishi Kapoor. And don’t forget she had reportedly taken home a whopping Rs.12 crore – the highest for a B-town actress and more than the film’s leading men as well.

Ranveer Singh
The actor didn’t hold back, sinking his teeth into the task of essaying the maniacal Alauddin Khilji with unfettered relish. In the bargain, he created one of the Hindi film screen’s most memorable villains ever, one with shades of bisexuality as well – and still virtually stole the show! Padmaavat, his biggest hit yet, brought him both commercial and critical acclaim in hefty doses.

Shahid Kapoor
Well aware that Maharawal Ratan Singh was a “huge risk” for him, considering the presence of both Deepika and Ranveer in the film, Shahid had presumed his role would be a glorified guest appearance. It was anything but! Kudos to director Bhansali and the actor himself for crafting a performance that was noble and heroic even as it was subtle and underplayed.

Ajay Devgn
The smouldering star proved his value at the box office, pulling in the crowds to watch his period crime thriller. As the honest, incorruptible taxman in Lucknow, who cannot stand wrongdoing and targets black money launderers no matter how influential and powerful, the Devgn leaves his mark yet again. His compelling act proves he has simply got better at making an impact - effortlessly.

Akshay Kumar
He plays Lakshmikant Chouhan, the character inspired from the life of Arunachalam Muruganatham, the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad manufacturing machine, with humility and sincerity. As the PadMan, the superhero who debunks menstrual myths with humour and a straight face, Akshay excels. Heart-warming and accomplished, this performance is another feather in his cap.

Radhika Apte
Her first endeavour in the commercial space, this critically acclaimed actress struck a chord as the modest small-town woman, who inspires her husband’s quest for the perfect low cost sanitary napkin. Critics raved over her pitch-perfect act as the bewildered wife who is unable to understand her PadMan husband’s obsession with periods, even as she faces taboos herself.

Rani Mukerji
Four years after she last appeared onscreen, the actress returns with a cracker of a performance, post motherhood. As Naina Mathur, teacher, who has Tourette Syndrome, every facial tic, every warm smile, even impassioned line is proof that she hasn’t lost one ounce of that incredible God-given talent.

[caption id="attachment_50635" align="alignnone" width="647"] Rani Mukerji in Hichki[/caption]

Kartik Aryan
Dubbed the ‘Monologue Man’ after his famous rant in Pyaar Ka Punchnama, this good-looking actor steals the show as Sonu, in the sleeper hit, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. He is in top form both where his comic timing is concerned as well as his newly chiselled shape. No wonder the girls are going crazy despite his character’s misogynistic mind-view!

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Aditi Rao Hydari
In a film dominated by a high-profile lead trio, she still managed to hold her own. As the naive Mehrunissa, who gets a rude awakening when she discovers her husband Alauddin’s true nature, Aditi imbued her role with dignity, grace and exquisite beauty.

Saurabh Shukla
As the corrupt politician Tauji, Saurabh Shukla delivers a superb performance that’s surprisingly free of clichés. He brings villainy and craftiness to the screen but mixes it up with dramatic pauses and poker-faced one-liners, which make him irresistible.