Originally hired to anchor shows, these VJs traveled an extra mile and were lucky enough to make it in tinsel town. Take a look
One of the first MTV India VJs, she eventually anchored her own iterview show for the channel. Soon, she was co-anchoring with Cyrus Broacha on Love Line and Style Check, along with award ceremonies and concerts for MTV. Soon after entering modeling, Malaika scored successful ads and cameo roles, and shot to household popularity with her "Chaiyya Chaiyya" in the 'Dil Se', and cemented her item-girl tag with "Kaal Dhamaal" (Kaal) Heyy Babyy, Om Shanti Om, and Welcome. More recently, her "Munni Badnaam" in the 2010 super-blockbuster Dabangg brought her back to the item girl spotlight.
The Lalitpur-born Jatt came from a Forces background. After graduating from Delhi University, he worked as a construction worker. Then, Roadies Season 1 happened to him in 2003. After winning the youth-based reality show, he went on to host its subsequent seasons. While Rannvijay's 2009 debut 'Toss' received bad reviews (crappy acting, awful direction), the 2011 'Dharti' , a Punjabi film, did comparatively better.
Rannvijay's role in 'Action Replayy' was marred by a lazy storyline, boring drama, and crass humor.
Ayushmann spent 5 prolific years on the theater circuit, including iconic plays like 'Andha Yug' before making his MTV debut on - and winning - MTV Roadies Season 2. MTV's 'The Voice of Youngistan followed, along with other MTV productions (including 2 seasons of Roadies and anchor gigs at the channel's media events). Then, six months after the TV debut that could have made him a household name - on 'Ek Thi Rajkumari', he quit when Wassup Youngistan went daily. More recently, he is set to debut in Bollywood as a sperm donor in Shoorjit Sarcar's film, 'Vicky Donor.
Just like Ayushmann, even VJ Purab played a sperm donor in Onir's 'I Am'. Purab debuted with Supari (2003), and had a uninspired run with Vastu Shastra (2004), and 13th Floor (2005), but it was My Brother Nikhil (2005) in which he proved his acting abilities. After two villain roles (Who Lamhe and Awarapan), he hit gold with Rock On!! (2008 to get a Special Jury Mention at the 2009 Filmfare Awards in 2009.
Before getting a VJ-ing gig with MTV Networks Asia, Shenaz was acting in ads forAkai and Philips. While she debuted on the big screen with the 2001 Telugu 'Eduruleni Manishi', it was the 2003 Bollywood film 'Ishq Vishk' that got her a best supporting actress Filmfare nomination, and fame. The 'Aagey Se Right' and 'Radio' in 2009. She also acted in Luv Ka The End (the screenplay was written by her) Most notably, she played Imran Khan's fiance. in Delhi Belly. Shenaz currently hosts Culture Shock on theTravel Channel, and has a role as Rama Patel on the American TV show 'One Life To Live'.
Sophie Choudhry, or 'VJ Sophie' took her it-girl image to Bollywood in Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa. Other such roles followed, including Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Heyy Baby, and Money Hai to Honey Hai.
After her flop debut opposite Fardeen Khan in 'Kitne Door Kitne Paas', she had a successful role in Awara Paagal Deewana. Then a long list of flops, inluding Girlfriend (2004), in which she played a jealous lesbian (appearing opposite Isha Koppikar) She was last seen in Deha, Team the Force and a supporting role in Kambakth Ishq.
After marrying Arshad Warsi, she quit VJing for MTV. Last seen in Salaam Namaste , she also acted in Raghu Romeo.Maria currently hosts 'Do It Sweet' on NDTV Good Times.
After her Bollywood debut as a temptress in 'Mumbai Matinee', Anusha acted in Viruddh opposite John Abraham, along with a a star cast that included Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sharmila Tagore, and in 'Anthony Kaun Hai?' with Arshad Warsi and Sanjay Dutt. She was recently seen in Delhi Belly, playing VJ Soniya.