May 20, 2005 05:38 PM
6717 Views
(Updated May 20, 2005 05:38 PM)
I was never fascinated much with his presence on the screen, except for his brilliance when he acted along with Manisha Koirala. But, if I try to analyze his performances, he is surely one of the wise actors on Indian screen who never stopped improving through each film. His last two films have further proved his sensibility. I haven’t seen all his films; but I would like to list down five of his films which I liked the most (in the order of my preference).
AKELE HUM AKELE TUM
I can watch this film any number of times, especially for the performances of the lead actors. The film portrays him as a husband caught between his poverty and love, his aspiration and marriage, his ego and affection. It was quite a simple role to play, especially after so many similar characters on the silver screen; but he has given his own style for the role. He delivered the role in a way which was unique. Simple, yet intense, the shades of the character were performed wonderfully well.
The music was surely an asset to this film. On screen, the songs had his trade mark grace. The fact that the film didn’t do well at the box-office was the reason for this great performance going unnoticed by many.
SARFAROSH
If I was ever the casting director of this film, I never would have casted him in the lead role. He lacks the physic of a police officer and his charming looks may hinder the required expression in many serious situations. But after watching the film, I realized how much I under-estimated this wonderful actor. He has broken the barriers of his physic and looks and did the role of a stern, gritty police officer to perfection. His expression speaks his ability to deliver the toughest roles. His histrionics which follow the attack on his father and brother are very natural and applaud able.
The film had a good run at the box-office and established his image as a powerful actor among the masses. The director of the film too has done a good job with good characterizations and interesting situations.
DIL CHAHTA HAI
Out of many roles in which he tried to make the role look like him, this is one conspicuous role in which he successfully looked like the role. I am trying to emphasize his hard work to look like Aakash. His effort in toning his body and modulating his looks in order to get into the character is surely applaud able. He shared a beautiful chemistry with Preity Zinta, Saif and Akshaye.
The brilliantly sketched characters and great cinematics make this film a memorable one. The style given by the director and actors gave it a classic touch and paved way for many other films to follow the genre.
RANGEELA
He played Munna with utmost obedience to the director. Though precision was missing (Ajay Devgan was precisely perfect in ‘Company’) at many places, he was able to carry the role well. This is one character in Bollywood, where a ‘tapori’ didn’t go overboard. It was executed well by the actor. His scene with Jackie Shroff, where he says ‘Appan, ‘black’ mein ticket bejtha hai!’ was simply great. And the scene in which he goes to the star hotel wearing a colorful dress to meet his beloved and Jackie’s entrance spoiling his high spirits is touching. Anyhow, I would give more than half the credit to the director for writing such a wonderful character. But it was the actor who made the role look convincing.
He was over-shadowed by Urmila’s sensuality and Rehman’s music. But a keen observer of films would recognize and appreciate the ‘tapori’ role.
1947-THE EARTH
I don’t know how Deepa Mehta chose him to play the role of ‘Ice-candy-man’, but he displayed his versatility in this film. The only negative role he played so far was in this film. He was able to get the nuances of the role in his eyes; though I felt, in some scenes, Shah Rukh’s intensity was needed. But playing an off-beat film after a long time (after Raakh) was a difficult job. A lot of insight has to be acquired regarding the role and he has done a great job here.
That year, this film was India’s official entry for the Oscars and that’s where he began to be visible in the International film panorama. After this film, he has changed his (star) image by leaps and bounds.
There many other good films (according to many critics) which I did not watch; like Andaaz Apna Apna, Dil, Raakh, Dil Hai ke Maanta Nahi, etc. But one performance I would like to point out is that in Lagaan. It was a good film; in fact, a very good film. But his performance was carried away with the success of the film and was finally over-rated. He did a good job; but that is limited to the fact that he did not make recognizable mistakes. In the maze of authentic settings and brilliant direction, no one realized that his body language did not suit that of a villager. His walk had a city teenage style in it; his dialogue delivery was too sophisticated for a villager (though the accent was good); his pretence to be a villager was evident in some scenes; more research was needed in his mannerisms. The lucky factor which saved him from people recognizing those mistakes is the work of the technical crew which left no stone unturned to impress the audience. Anyway, it was not a bad performance, but my point is that, it wasn’t as much as the hype goes. I am eagerly waiting for ‘1857: The Rising’ and ‘Rang de Basanti’. The promos (of The Rising) are strikingly good and I wish the film too comes out as good.
By the way, I have forgotten to mention his name. He is AAMIR KHAN.
