It's Rakul's year all the way. A hat-trick queen, she has rocked it throughout the year.

It all began with 'Nannaku Prematho', in which Rakul's talent was brought out in good measure by Sukumar's Midas Touch. It's this film which inspired Ram Charan to rope her in to play Ishika in 'Dhruva'.

If 'NP' suggested early on that Rakul might well make it to the top this year, 'Sarrainodu' (the April release) only confirmed it. One of the biggest hits in the history of Tollywood, this Allu Arjun-starrer saw her in the role of a homely girl whose family faces an existential threat from the villains. Opposite Bunny, the 'Athiloka Sundari' did a lot of 'shor', which worked with the classes and masses alike.

And in the last month comes 'Dhruva'. It's already a potential big hit, having received a thumbs-up from the critics and impressive openings. In the role of a well-read woman, Rakul is seen in yet another brainy role after 'NP'. In 'Pareshanu Raa', she sizzles and scorches the screen.

If doing substantial roles opposite the likes of NTR, Allu Arjun and now Ram Charan is a stellar achievement for an actress, getting to act under the likes of Sukumar, Boyapati Sreenu and Surendar Reddy in a row is remarkable.

To top it all, Rakul is now doing Mahesh Babu's next. That the director is AR Murugadoss makes it all the more sexy. Yet another film in Boyapati Sreenu's direction is forthcoming. In 2017, expect her to shine in Kollywood, too.