Well compared to the nightmare of 2002, 2003 was a much better year, where we had some hits, some good movies and some good performances also. So here goes for some real great performances of 2003.
1) Hrithik Roshan in Koi Mil Gaya: After his over the top performance in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, the knives were out for him, and he was almost on the verge of collapse. But then he answered his critics( includes me), with a superlative performance in Koi Mil Gaya as an autistic child. Whether its his pranks with the kids, weeping like a child or his shuffling walk, Hrithik was just brilliant. It would be a pity if the awards comitee decides to overlook his performance.
2) Ajay Devgan in Gangajal: This is a year in which Ajay excelled in diverse roles like that of a harassed husband(Bhoot), a tough as nuts Army Colonel(Zameen) and a honest cop( Gangajal). Alongside with predictable commercial fare like Chori Chori and Parwana. But after last year’s Deewangee where he was brilliant in a complex role, he again put in the same intensity and brilliance as a tough and honest cop, who is not averse to bending the law in Gangajal. Of course the best he would get for such outstanding performances would be a critic’s award.
3) Abhishek Bachan in Zameen: This year certainly showed that Abhishek is the worthy son of a worthy father. He was the only saving grace in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, and he did well in Kuch Na Kaho. But in Zameen as a cop with a tormented past, Abhishek was brilliant. He held his own against Ajay Devgan, and showed that he has the potential to make it.
4) Sunjay Dutt in Munnabhai MBBS: Just when we were gettting bored of Sanju baba’s gangster roles, here was a role that was totally different. Sunjay Dutt proved that he was already good at comedy in movies like Hasina Maan Jaayegi and Jodi No 1, but this was a totally different comedy from the David Dhawan types. As the street goon with a heart of gold, as the doctor who insists that patients must be cured by love, Sanjay Dutt was marvellous. Especially the scenes with his father, the scenes with his side kick Circuit( Arshad Warsi in another brilliant cameo), were superb.
5) Amitabh Bachan in Baghban: What a performance. This was certainly not the angry man we knew, shouting at the bad guys, but in a totally different role as a father who is abandoned by his selfish kids. Amitabh Bachan was outstanding in an otherwise routine movie. The scenes where he weeps after reading his wife’s letter, the scene where he and his wife separate, his romantic dalliances with Hema Malini, it was an awesome performance. Every aspiring youngster who wants to be an actor should watch this movie, to learn what acting is all about.
6) Irfan Khan in Haasil: He should walk away with all the awards for the Best Villian this year. As a student leader, who misleads them, he proved that villiany is not about shoting and snarling. Subdued, yet chilling, was his portrayal.
7) Manoj Bajpayee in Pinjar: Another great performance from this brilliant actor. As the tough Muslim guy, who abducts the girl he loves and then releases her, and finally helps her, Manoj was just too good. Especially the scene when he realises that the girl he loves doesn’t love him at all, he was just great.
8) Saif Ali Khan in Kal Ho Na Ho: He was just brilliant, in spite of the fact that Shahrukh had the author backed role. Especially the scene where he hears that Preity loves SRK, and his expressions were superb. His comic scenes with Shahrukh were also great.
9) Urmila Matondkar in Bhoot: This year Urmila Matondkar proved that while the Kareenas,Aishwaryas and Bipashas get inches of print, as far as performances go, they have a long way to go to match her. Just consider her 3 performances this year as a rebellious daughter in Tehzeeb, a Partition victim in Pinjar and a possesed housewife in Bhoot. Urmi has proved that she is more than just a Rangeela girl, she is a superb actress. As the possesed housewife in Bhoot, she was great. From a normal loving housewife to one who is aware of something and her possesed state, Urmi put in a natural performance. Ash you might make it to the cover of Times, but as far as acting goes ur way behind Urmi baby.
10) Preity Zinta in Kal Ho Na Ho: After her disastrous attempts to play a vamp in Armaan, Priety was again back to form with this movie. As a girl who is mature beyond her age, one who has to bear the constant troubles at homes to a bubbly youngster and finally to a girl who must come to terms with the death of her love, Priety was great, though the same cant be said of her character.
11) Sushmita Sen in Samay: It’s a well known fact that face to face Sush is a much better actress than Ash. She has more variety in her roles compared to Ash, and in Samay she again proved that. As a single lady cop, who mothers a child, and who must face the grisly reality of a murder, Sush was just great. Especially in the scenes where she handled the murder investigation, Sush was just superb.
12) Antara Mali in Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon: As the small town girl Chutki who aspires to be like her idol Madhuri Dixit, Antara was brilliant. Whether it was her impersonations of Madhuri’s various songs, or her disappointment of not making it, or her reaction on seeing her movie open to empty houses, Antara proved that she was a real good actress.
13) Rajpal Yadav in MMDBCH: This talented actor was again brilliant in this movie. As the supportive, gullible husband of Chutki, who helps her in realizing her dreams he gave such an endearing and natural performance, that your heart went out to him.
14) Hema Malini in Baghban: At 60, she certainly showed that looks wise and talent wise, she is much much better than her daughter. It was great to see her after a long gap and she gave such a delightful and endearing performance. Whether it was giving a piece of mind to her granddaughter’s boyfriend, or having to bear the taunts of her son, she was good. Especially great was the scene where she separates from her beloved husband.
A final word please.I hope that the awards comitee would take into account the actor’s performances and not the film’s outcome at the box office. After all when Titanic swept the Oscars, neither Kate Winslet nor Leonardo Di Caprio won the Best Actress/Actor awards.
