Google's annual rundown on what's hot on the web -- a 'zeitgeist' survey for 2011 -- includes the list of top 10 most searched celebs on the website in India.
We present here the newsmakers who were googled the most, who became a part of living room conversations, nostalgia and at times, debate.
1. Katrina Kaif
The number one spot was reserved for Katrina Kaif.
The actress dominated the early part of the year as the excitement surrounding Sheila Ki Jawani -- her sensational item number in Farah Khan's 2010 Tees Maar Khan -- refused to die down.
When it finally did, Katrina was back in the news as with her Chikni Chameli turn in Karan Johar's Agneepath. Somewhere in between, the actress also snagged the top spot in People magazine's most beautiful list too.
2. Anna Hazare
Image: Anna HazareSocial activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare waged a war against corruption by going on an indefinite hunger strike and initiated a mini-revolution in the process.
While the government relented and agreed to some of his conditions for the Jan Lokpal Bill to fight corruption, several big names like Kiran Bedi, Aamir Khan and Arindam Chaudhari lent their names to the cause.
3. Salman Khan
Image: Salman KhanThis year belonged to Salman Khan all the way.
Minor glitches (read a painful facial surgery) aside, the star had a great run at the box office as both his releases this year -- Ready and Bodyguard set the cash registers ringing.
The actor had cemented his place in his fans' hearts. This Khan proved that all he had to do to send them into a mass frenzy was to just show up on the 70 mm, his natural swagger and boyish smile would take care of the rest.
4. Poonam Pandey
Image: Poonam PandeyPhotographs: Twitter
This starlet cashed in on the Cricket World Cup Tournament that India hosted (and won) this year.
It wouldn't be exaggerating to call it a stroke of genius -- she's the fourth most googled 'celeb' in India this year!
While she didn't keep her promise of stripping if the boys in blue managed to win the world cup, she did give us a rather steamy peek and has managed a sizeable number of followers on Twitter too.
5. Justin Beiber
Image: Justin BeiberPhotographs: Reuters/Lucas Jackson
This may strike as rather odd, since Canadian pop sensation Justin Beiber is largely disliked by everybody except teenagers who absolutely dig his music.
But this just drives home the point that any kind of publicity is good publicity.
As his fame grew, so did people's curiosity to find out more about him so that they could loathe him with a better understanding of where he came from.
6. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Image: Aishwarya Rai BachchanPhotographs: Reuters/Stringer India
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had a very eventful year even though she did not take up much work.
While her Cannes outing was feted by everyone, her involvement (and subsequent pulling out of) in Madhur Bhandarkar's ambitious project Heroine kept her in the news.
Fans and media went into a frenzy after her pregnancy was announced till the time she got her bundle of joy home.
Quite a year for the Bachchan bahu!
7. Sachin Tendulkar
Image: Sachin TendulkarPhotographs: Reuters/Adnan Abidi
Sachin Tendulkar had us all glued to the TV set with a promise to score his 100th century. The last ton from Sachin's bat came during a league match in Wolrd Cup against South Africa in March earlier this year.
It's been an intense nine months and the entire nation has been waiting for the elusive century.
Tendulkar also achieved his childhood dream this year as he won his first world cup of his career, which spans over 20 years.
8. Kareena Kapoor
Image: Kareena KapoorThe world is her oyster!
Kareena Kapoor is at the top of her game and is looking forward to settling down with beau Saif Ali Khan next year.
She's the sexiest woman in Asia, the highest paid actress in Bollywood and recently had her first waxwork installed in Madame Tussauds museum.
With so much going on around her, it's hardly a surprise that fans and detractors were equally interested in keeping up with the goings-on in her life.
9. Steve Jobs
Image: Steve JobsPhotographs: Reuters/Kimberly White
Someone rightfully pointed out on a social networking website when Steve Jobs passed away -- superheroes were turtle necks and round glasses, not spandex outfits.
Heartfelt messages, glowing tributes and eulogies were written when the pioneer in computer revolution breathed his last at the age of 56.
10. Priyanka Chopra
Image: Priyanka ChopraAfter an author-backed role in Vishal Bharadwaj's 7 Khoon Maaf, Priyanka Chopra is poised to dazzle along side King Khan in Don 2 that releases on December 23 and later in January as Hrithik Roshan's leading lady in Karan Johar's Agneepath.
She has three other films rolling out next year. Enough fodder for fans and movie buffs to feed on for a while.
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