++GooD tHingS ComE iN smaLL pacKaGes++. Review on Ten Best Cameos in Bollywood Movies

"You never know when who will play an important role in life ...."

The first time I ever noticed a powerful cameo was that of Pran in Upkaar. The role of a disabled guy trying to solve the matters of a family and reasoning with the wrong son, Pran’s first attempt in a positive character singing Kasme waade pyaar wafaa sab baatein hain baton ka kya was really credible.

Since then I have noticed these few characters which have been given a short screen space but yet hold a powerful presence in the movie:

1)Akshay Kumar in Dil To Paagal Hai

The first movie probably which Akshay did under the Yash-Raj banners in which his image was changed from an action hero to a soft guy. He diligently played the role of a boyfriend in waiting and every time he entered the screen it was like a wisp of fresh wind. This is probably the first case when I liked a character role better than the leading roles. And I found his role meatier than Shahrukh, Karishma and Madhuri put together.

2) Naseeruddin Shah in Umrao Jaan/Mandi

Till date I feel that nobody could have performed the role of Gohar Mirza as effortlessly as Naseeruddin Shah. The perfect display of selfishness, cunningness and trying to achieve his ambition alongwith nurturing a secret lust for Umrao Jaan, the character of Gohar held many shades of humanity. Naseer perfectly bought out all the nuances of this character.

In Mandi initially I wondered why Naseeruddin has taken up such a small time role but later I realized that the role of Tugroos is as important as any other role,as he is the one who tells you the gist of the whole movie in the beginning itself. Tugroos is a loyal servant to Rukminibai and his affection to her is well shown in the very first scene where he say "Bai yeh sabhi tujhko chod ke bhagte ek din".Another powerhouse performance by a legend in the smallest role.

3) Deepak Dobriyal in Omkara

The wronged fiancé of Kareena Kapoor who is abducted from his own wedding, Deepak Dobriyal acted the role of Rajju. Though it was again a small role but when ponder over the fact the role which he enacted was of a person whose vengeance lead to the destruction and murders. His facial expressions, demeanor and mannerisms were near perfect.And again a character artist who impressed me to no bounds.

4) Kay Kay Menon in Sarkar

Kay Kay Menon always impresses me for the expertise with which he plays a character which reflects the weakest side of Human nature. In this movie he again wonderfully portrayed the lying, scheming, and impious elder son to the uncrowned Don of the city. His presence was as powerful as the leading AB Sr. and AB Jr. Anybody could have taken a setback in front of these powerful names but Kay Kay Menon maintained his presence through and through in the whole movie.

5) Lillette Dubey in Monsoon wedding

The smart suave Lillette is fast becoming the changing face of Indian mothers. As she always does, the character displayed by her in Monsoon wedding was of a typical Indian woman who is worried for her daughter’s marriage, relates to the feeling of her son who is more interested in song and music rather than boyish stuff and has her own space in the loo where she smokes secretly. Though it was again a small role but still very effective reflecting the changing trends of Indian household.

6)Pankaj Kapur in Sehar

As the narrator of the story, Pankaj Kapur again gave a meaningful performance in a minimal of role. Besides being the narrator of the story of origin of Special Task Force in North India he also was the crucial part of the story. He played the part of the genius professor with much ease and trademark expertise.

7) Seema Biswas in Water

As the widows shunned by society, living in the restrictions imposed by the society on them. She wonderfully displayed the character of a woman who has repressed her desires and worldly pleasures but still have a few dreams and wishes to realize. Seema again broke her own moulds to act as a widow with shaved head and morose expressions. She had a small yet a real crucial role in the movie which she acted out amazingly.

8)Ranbir Shorey in Aaja Nachle

A wronged /ditched lover of Madhuri, still not out of the shackles of her magic; Ranbir broke his image of a comedian. He was gelled to the role of a loser, yet an optimistic who still believes in achieving her Dream Girl. His performance touched my heart to the core and the best being the fact that with his ordinary looks he does a phenomenal act of a typical next door guy you can always relate to.

9) Sandhya Mridul in Page 3

Page 3 is one of my favorite movie and the character which impressed me the most was of Sandhya Mridul who played the role of “Pearl” a 21 century female who is independent and most of all is clear about what she wants from Life and how she has to get it. The role inspires you to the core and makes you understand that how important it is to have a conviction along with dreams and its not just one way to reach your dreams.

10) Shefali Chhaya in Satya/ Gandhi My Father

The best example of the cameo which probably took the minimal of space and yet charmed everybody with her presence. Nobody can mention Bhiku Mahatre without mentioning her lovely wife Pyaari. Her first performance which made people stand up and notice her as an actor. She blazed the screen with her performance.

She played the role of Ba in Gandhi My Father where she has to choose between the two men she loves the most. And irrespective of whom she chooses, she is the ultimate loser. She is a simple woman in a complex situation. She diligently and thoroughly understood and related to Ba's emotional pain and trauma and portrayed it accordingly.

Perhaps its right to say that Good things come in small packages.

Small maybe in Size

Little as a Dice

Diamond is always which ShinesIn the deep dark Coal Mines…

P.S. : This review could have not been possible

without valuable inputs from Veekey