Manisha Koirala: four times. Early in the year, an anti-smoking lobby objected to the promos of Company where Koirala, along with co-actors, was seen puffing cigarettes. Then came the hint of a feud with director Shashilal Nair, followed by a full-fledged slanging match in which she called him a "bloody liar". By year-end, she wasn't either huffing or puffing, but signing on for N. Chandra's Indira Gandhi-A Tryst with Destiny. From a moll to a venom-spewing woman scorned and then to a sari-clad prime minister. Talk about diverse roles.

Mama's Pride

Aishwarya Rai: Four times. And each time for a reason that wouldn't make her mother cringe. For doing what she does best: looking good (Nakshatra ad); not playing Mumtaz Mahal in Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal (the director lamented the loss); honouring India's 70 medals at the Commonwealth Games; and signing on for Gurinder Chadha's next venture. If only Bicep Khan could learn something about making news for the right reasons.

I, Me, Myself

Kareena Kapoor: Three times. Here's the superbrat of the year. First she became an item for easing out of all of poor Subhash Ghai's projects after Yaadein flopped. Next, for signing up for Pepsi and then for shooting the ad where she bragged, "They've only had the best of stars. I guess that's why they chose me." And guess why you're here yet again, Bebo: Because you're so full of it, it's too amusing to resist.

Squeaky Clean

Amisha Patel: Two times, so have Raveena Tandon, Tabu, Yana Gupta, among others. But unlike the rest, Patel's entries had nothing to do with her film career. While the first was on her restaurant, the next was for her prowess with the broom. Following her civic role with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, she parted with interesting information about herself ("I even clean my own pot") and gave a lecture to all ("I reprimand people, even those working for me, for littering the roads"). How's that for coming clean?

-Compiled by Kanika Gahlaut