The Kings and The Queens of 2003. Review on Twenty Best Acting Performances of 2003

Before I start mentioning my picks for the year 2003 I ll like to make it clear that this is from the movies I've seen last year. Gangajaal, Dhoop, Zameen were the prominent ones that I missed. Most of the other I've watched.

So here comes my list:-

1. Juhi Chawla in Teen Deewarein

Juhi's role as everybody else in the movie had a lot of shades. Director's selection of Juhi for the role was fully vindicated by Juhi's understated performance. And nowhere in the movie she was overshadowed by Naseer, the far more seasoned actor.

1. John Abraham in Saaya

I know this movie was a big washout but the same cannot be said about John's acting though. Clearly he is one of the few models who can act. The role required him to show pain, anguish and he did that to perfection.

1. Raghuvir Yaadav in Darna Mana Hai

This along with Boman's character in Darna Mana Hai were beautifully etched and were done full justice by both of these actors. Raghuvir's body language, his facial expressions, his dialogues all delivered that message of his guilt in the movie. Superb performance.

1. Boman Irani in Darna Mana Hai

There was a kind of aura around Boman Irani in this movie. Whatever time he is around in this movie you cannot but stop noticing. Saif looks like a novice infront of him. You cannot expect what he is up to!!

1. Akshaye Khanna in Hungama

Another wonderful act by Akshaye. He is really doing justice to his potential in his second innings. This time he tries his hand at comedy. And boy isnt he succesful!!! I just luv the way he befools his father :D and also his interactions with Paresh. Though I thought Paresh Rawal was a bit letdown in this movie.

1. Jimmi Shergil in Haasil

Although I thought initially that Jimmy likes to ape Shahrukh (Remember his act in Mohabattein) but Haasil proved me wrong. May be its because of the director. Whatever he did what was expected of the movie . And thats why he is part of this august company.

1. Saif Ali Khan in Kal ho na ho

Saif is really good at comedy. No 2 opinions here. He is once again in his elements in KHNH. Though I didn't like that movie that much but Saif's acting was outstanding. His way of taking jokes on himself, his comic timing are all breathtaking. Here is an actor who is at his peak.

1. Urmila in Bhoot

Urmila really scared the hell out of us.Beautifully presented by Ramu this movie was really the talk of the year and had many lookalikes. But one that was the clear winner was Bhoot and Urmila deserved a lot of credit for that. Her terrifying expressions had loads of ppl. scream and screach with horror.

1. Juhi Chawla in Jhankaar Beats

A Fresh movie with a fresh star cast. And none more than Juhi Chawla whose only other movie last year was Teen Deewarein. Juhie outdid most of her colleagues in this movie by sheer freshness and easy to go charm.

1. Rahul Bose in Jhankaar Beats

Rahul Bose was another class acts in Jhankar Beats. Off course he had the best lines. But he had to carry them off and that he did with elan. He was the best thing to happen to Indian Cinema last year.

1. Manoj Bajpai in Pinjar

He has always been my favorite actor since Satya. He once again delivers a power packed performance in Pinjar. Though this time he didnt ve that much to deliver but still his silence really speaks a lot. I initially thought that he may not suit in a role of a Muslim but was I wrong man!! He was truly wonderful. Keep them coming Manoj!!!

1. Amitabh Bachchan in Baghban

Baghban had nothing much to write about. The same stereotypical characters, beaten to death script. But it had one thing going for it. It had the Big B. And he put all the shortcomings of this movie on the back burner and carried this one on his old but powerful shoulders. Just watch this flick for Amitabh and you wont go unsatisfied. Just look how he churns out those nonsense dialogues with amazing grace.

1. Hrithik Roshan in Koi Mil Gaya

Yours truly were one of the lot who wrote off Mr. Hrithik Roshan after his half a dozen of flops. I am not ashamed of it I think he deserved that. But he did bounce back (Same as Sachin in the Sidney test) with this sci-fi flick. He did got a tailor made role where he had tons to perform and he didnt let this opportunity slip. Enacting a role of an under developed man he brought tears into our eyes.

1. Sanjay Dutt in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S

Now wasnt Sanjay tailormade for this role?? After his umpteen attempts at portraying THE BHAI here was his another salvo. And he does a grand job at that. True he got a wonderful script, a sincere director and amazing costars to carry it thru but he did it with elan.

1. Rahul Bose in Mr&Mrs. Iyer

Rahul Bose has something unique in him. I never felt that he tried too hard but still his performances were always noteworthy. Another example of that is this wonderfully crafted movie by Aparna Sen. He fitted into his role of a Muslim Free Lance Photographer to a T. A very COOL performance that complimented the powerpacked Konkana wonderfully.

1. Boman Irani in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S

For me he was the star of this year. He was brilliant in Darna Mana Hai cameo.And then there was Lets Talk in which he was simply awesome. But it was his comic touch in MBMBBS that left me exasperated. Mamu was simply brilliant. If Sholay had Amzad Khan, Andaz Apna Apna had Shakti Kapoor then this movie had Boman. Really awesome.

1. Rajpal Yadav in MMDBCH

A really underrated performer till now he was top notch in Main Bhi Madhuri Dixit. As a simpleton from Gajraula he was simply great. Just watch the scene where he is selected as the actor in a movie but he is arguing the case of Chutki instead. Truly memorable performance. Its time that he gets his due.

1. Irfan Khan in Haasil

I first saw him in tv serials but really noticed him in one of the Star BestSellars where he played a dream merchant. He was awesome then. And so was he in Haasil. In a Beaten to Death role of a politician he was convincing. Watch him in Maqbool, another A Grade performance.

1. Naseeruddin Shah in 3 Deewarein

I am a huge fan of Naseer ever since I saw him in Mirza Ghalib reciting those Jagjit Singh melodies. He got a multi layered role and he performed it with elan. Boy does he have a comic timing ?? I believe he is the most brilliant comic actor around. Remember Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. Keep them coming Naseer.

1. Konkana Sen Sharma in Mr.& Mrs. Iyer

And here comes the queen of 2003. Mrs. Iyer was truly the performer of the year. I became a fan of hers just in her first outing (As far as I know). In a role of a life time where she is plays a contemporary Tamilian (Traditional at the same time modern) who doesn't believe in the politics of creed she is marvellous. No two words about it.

Waiting for your comments.....