Bollywood has always been a place where dreams and heartbreak often walk side by side. In the 1990s, six young actors stepped into the industry with great hope, each carrying ambition, talent and the excitement of a fresh start. Yet, as the years unfolded, only one of them — Ajay Devgn — managed to become a true star, while the journeys of Armaan Kohli, Avinash Wadhawan and Atul Agnihotri took unexpected turns. Their stories show just how unpredictable the film world can be, no matter what your background or early promise might look like.
1. Atul Agnihotri:
Atul Agnihotri, now widely recognised as Salman Khan’s brother-in-law, also had a hopeful beginning. His performance in Sir (1993) drew appreciation, and he followed it up with roles in Aatish, Krantiveer, and films alongside Nana Patekar. But even in hits like Krantiveer, the spotlight went to others. Atul Agnihotri continued working in movies such as Yashwant, Kohram, Veergati, Gunahgar, Chaachi 420 and Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam. He later admitted that he wasn’t a naturally strong actor and often picked the wrong films. When acting didn’t bring success, he turned to direction. Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha and Hello failed to impress but years later, he finally tasted success as a producer with Bodyguard (2011), starring Salman Khan.
2. Armaan Kohli:
Armaan Kohli appeared to have everything going for him. He was the son of noted filmmaker Rajkumar Kohli who had delivered several popular multi-starrers over the years. It seemed natural that Armaan would smoothly step into a strong acting career. However, his debut film Virodhi (1992), directed by his father, failed to impress audiences. What made matters worse was the decision that changed the course of his life — Armaan was first offered Deewana, a film that later introduced Shah Rukh Khan to the world. But since Rajkumar Kohli wanted Virodhi to release first, the makers of Deewana refused to wait. Armaan was replaced, SRK got the role and Deewana became a blockbuster. Armaan continued acting in several films such as Anaam, Kohra, Juaari, Veer, Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, yet he never recovered from missing out on the opportunity that could have changed everything.
3. Avinash Wadhawan:
Avinash Wadhawan’s story is just as bittersweet. Considered one of the most handsome actors of the early 90s, he briefly enjoyed stardom even before names like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar rose to fame. Born in Delhi as Rakesh Wadhawan, he moved to Mumbai for an MBA before stepping into modelling and films. His debut Pyaar Ho Gaya (1986) led to roles in Aayi Milan Ki Raat, Meera Ka Mohan, Geet, Police Aur Mujrim, Balma and more. He once even said that he had been offered Darr, which eventually turned out to be one of the most iconic roles of Shah Rukh Khan. But the turning point came from his personal life. After marrying model Chaaya in 1990, growing marital issues began affecting his work. He gave up several promising projects and moved abroad. By the time he tried returning, Bollywood had moved on. Even though he later remarried, his career never regained its earlier momentum.
4. Prithvi Wazir:
Prithvi Wazir was one of those 1990s actors who tasted quick fame but couldn’t hold on to it for long. Tall, good-looking and confident on screen, he made his Hindi film debut in 1992 with Dil Ka Kya Kasoor, a romantic drama that became a big success and featured him opposite Divya Bharti. The film made Prithvi an overnight star and positioned him as a promising leading man of the decade.
Prithvi Wazir went on to appear in films like Daraar (1996), where he worked alongside Juhi Chawla and Rishi Kapoor, and Ghulam (1998) which starred Aamir Khan and Rani Mukerji. Despite sharing screen space with top actors and actresses, inconsistent choices and a string of flops slowed his career. Over time, leading roles dried up and Prithvi Wazir gradually faded from mainstream cinema, becoming a reminder of how unpredictable Bollywood success can be.
5. Kamal Sadanah:
Kamal Sadanah was a popular face in Hindi cinema during the early 1990s, known for his boyish charm and romantic image. He made his film debut in 1991 with Bekhudi opposite Kajol, a film that introduced both the actors to Bollywood and generated strong buzz at the time. Kamal Sadanah quickly became a familiar name and went on to star in films like Rang (1993) with Divya Bharti, Baaz (1992) and Suryavanshi (1992) where he shared screen space with stars such as Salman Khan and Amrita Singh.
Despite a promising start and regular appearances, many of his films failed to perform well at the box office. As audience preferences changed and competition increased, Kamal Sadanah gradually stopped getting lead roles and his acting career lost momentum, eventually fading from the spotlight.
6. Ajay Devgn:
And then there was Ajay Devgn — quiet, intense and different from the typical Bollywood hero of that era. With his 1991 debut Phool Aur Kaante, he stunned audiences with his unique entry scene and action style. The film became a massive hit, especially in smaller towns, and instantly turned him into a star. Unlike the others, Ajay’s rise never stopped. He went on to deliver major hits like Jigar, Dilwale, Ishq, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Golmaal, Raajneeti, Tanhaji, and Drishyam. He also found stability in his personal life, marrying actress Kajol in 1999. Ajay’s career grew stronger with time, making him one of the most enduring stars of Bollywood.
Among the six newcomers of the early 90s, only Ajay Devgn managed to transform his debut into a legacy. The stories of Armaan Kohli, Avinash Wadhawan and Atul Agnihotri serve as reminders of how unpredictable Bollywood can be, where one film, one decision or even one moment can change everything.
