My Nominations. Review on Ten Best Performances of 2005

The year 2005 has seen a lot of difference in films with respect to the themes involved and the actor’s performance levels. Experimentation was the priority. And most of them have succeeded. The following are my personal nominations for the top ten performances of the year.

Anupam Kher - Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara

One of the most under-rated films this year has one of the best performances. Playing a retired Hindi professor suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, Anupam Kher performed at such level of precision that one can imagine no one else playing the role. The character as well as the film is much beyond the obvious senses. And this year, Anupam Kher’s performance is no doubt much beyond any other(in Hindi cinema).

KK - Sarkar

If the Bachchan’s had lesser star-value and if the script had not weakened Vishnu Naagre’s character, Krishna Kumar Menon would have instigated most claps in the theatre for RGV’s ‘Sarkar’. Subtle, yet intense, simple, yet complex, KK performed every nuance with optimum ease. And his spontaneity was amazing. Deserves to be at the top!

Sachin Kadelkar - Netaji SCB

I failed to recognize him, when I saw the trailer of this film for the first time. So aptly did the role of Subhash Chandra Bose suit Sachin Kadelkar. The entire strenuous run of the film had two fascinating things: one was the music and the other was Sachin Kadelkar. His emoting was flawless and his homework was well done.

Baby Rucha - Ek Ajnabee

The role wasn’t really challenging; but Baby Rucha made her presence felt aside actors like Amitabh and Arjun Rampal. It’s the soft glow in her eyes which haunts me whenever I think of the film. Her dialogue delivery was striking enough to keep one whole theatre of audience involved.

Swetha Prasad - Iqbal

People may get excited about cricket, Nagesh Kukunoor’s direction, and Shreyas Tapas’s performance; but my bet is Swetha Prasad for this year’s nominations for the best supporting actress category. The way she chuckles, giggles and cries exactly like any young sister, keeps one glued through the slow-paced(yet brilliant) film.

Amitabh Bachchan - Virudh

Though he isn’t as precise as Anupan Kher was in ‘Saaransh’, Amitabh Bachchan has surely put aside his style and involved himself deeply to get the middle-class old man look. His body language was appreciable. What makes this performance more superior to his other acclaimed performances(Black, Sarkar) this year is that, there is a lot of spontaneity in this one. It isn’t like all the director-baked, post-card-framed, perfection-boasting characters.

Shiny Ahuja - Hazaaron Khwayishen Aisi

He makes you laugh with that subtle humor. He makes you feel for his love with those simple expressions. He makes your cheeks ache with that face, in the climax, that you are tempted to watch the film once again just for him. Playing a humor-filled man, who loses his memory while saving his beloved’s lover, Shiney Ahuja lived every moment of the character.

Rani Mukherjee- Black

Not many have rated Rani Mukherjee’s performance over anyone else in that film. First, she was shadowed by the new child-artist, Ayesha Kapur. Then there was Amitabh. Even out of those few people who appreciated Rani’s performance, most of them were fanatics. For me, Rani’s role was the most challenging one in the film and she has done a brilliant job. Her performance displayed her obedience to the director.

Aamir Khan - The Rising

Here I am being a bit biased towards Aamir Khan. I wanted to put Toby Stevens here. Toby stole the show, no doubt. But that was because Aamir’s character wasn’t well developed. That’s why it wasn’t able to leave the impact which role was supposed to. Below the thick layers of loopholes in the film, lives the sincerity of an actor who dedicated a considerable amount of time to nurture the look of Mangal Pandey. And he was very much successful in getting the perfect look. He surely deserves applause for the perseverance involved.

Ayesha Takia - Socha Na Tha

If not for the subtle movements of her fingers to the intense emotions, if not for her smooth shiver across her lips, if not for her soft looks, if not for her radiant smile, if not for her lovable voice, the character would have looked damp. The script demanded a spontaneous actor, and Ayesha Takia was just apt. Not a bit more; not a bit less. Just perfect!

The following are those who came really close:

*Chitrangada Singh - Hazaaron Khwayishen Aisi

Abhishek Bachchan - Sarkar

Shahrukh Khan - Paheli

Toby Stevens - The Rising

Nana Patekar - Bluffmaster*