Being an Aussie cricketer is difficult.
I wonder why the Aussies call themselves cricketers. They should be called actors, instead. No, I am not doubting their abilities with bat and ball, they are very good (unless God aka a certain Sachin Tendulkar smashes the daylights and nightlights out of them), but they are one helluva talented bunch when it comes to acting ...
Act I, Scene I:
Shame Warne wants to run for Miss Universe and is desperate to reduce weight. A couple of diuretics do the trick and when caught, he acts innocent, becoming mama's chweety-pie ...
''My mama gave me the pill!''
Fast Forward.
Act III, Scene IV:
Glen Mcgrath spits venom against a resilient Ramnaresh Sarwan. Fingers are pointed, expletives are hurled and push almost came to shove. But then, Glen is such a fine actor that he convinced the match referee, Mike Procter to let him off with a mere warning.
''Mr. Procter, I swear that I didn't swear. I was merely singing Eminem's latest track ...''
In fact, after having seen some inspid performances in Bollywood in recent years, I was tempted to offer a film to any of the Australian cricketers. It's a different matter that I was beaten to the post by the gentleman who offered Steve Waugh to play the lead in a film on Udayan.
However, times are-a-changing. No, most films are still concentrating on drivers, servants, parrots and dogs, while songs are now concentrating on how Chandu's paternal uncle forced his wife to taste chutney with a silver spoon (Almost sounds decent enough in English, doesn't it?). However, actors are, well, acting ... (and about time too). So here are 20 acting performances are as good, if not better than Warne and Mcgrath ...
10-1
# 10. Rahul Bose (Jhankaar Beats).
After a brilliant performance in Mr. & Mrs. Iyer, it's time for Rahul to play funny. Simply hilarious as the disbeliever in love, he demonstrates a wonderful sense of comic timing. And not just that, his expressions when he remembers the good old days with Nikki are perfect.
''Basanti did not dance for Veeru.''
''Look at the brighter side, atleast ab tere ko pata hai ki tera baap kaun hai ...''
# 9. Shabana Azmi (Tehzeeb).
Shabana Azmi has always been a seasoned performer who impressed me to the hilt in Masoom, but I feel, tended to go over the top in certain other movies. She puts in a wonderful performance in a role, where she had the chance to go over the top and scream like the saas-bahu cult, yet she puts in a brilliant understated performance.
# 8. Preity Zinta (Armaan).
Since I have not seen Irfan Khan's Haasil, I would tip pretty Preity to win the Best Villian award this year. Armaan was not the best of movies, but Preity made the movie worthwhile. Her role is more of a spoilt brat, rather than that of someone spiteful, and Preity's amazing portrayal made the audience root for the spoilt Priety rather than the positive Gracy.
# 7. Boman Irani (Munnabhai MBBS).
Sunju fans must be miffed at me rating him so low down (he is at no.20), but the fact remains that Munnabhai MBBS was a one-man film. Boman Irani, playing his second eccentric character in succession is hilarious as the harrassed Dean. Watch out for him when he loses his cool!
# 6. Saif Ali Khan (Kal Ho Na Ho).
The most under-rated actor of the industry, someone who proved that he can do diverse roles with his previous flick Darna Mana Hai, and the man with the best comic timing I have ever seen, without Saif Ali Khan, forget kal, aaj bhi nahin hota ... This one of the best performances of the year, as he makes you fall off your seats and guffaw with his stupendous comic timing, coupled with witty dialogues and situations. He is simply brilliant when he is drunk (''I am confused, kya woh Mohammed Ali hai?'' ''Mujhe lag raha hai ki hum log school ja rahe hain ... kya zinda logon ko yaad nahin kiya jaata?) And then, he is not just a Jim Carrey. His reactions at knowing that Priety loves SRK, at knowing that SRK is terminally ill, and the silent expression he gives while staring at Shah Rukh in the hospital bed ... he doesn't shed a tear, doesn't mutter a dialogue in that bicycle-tyre voice of his, yet the shock and sorrow comes through amazingly. Hats off to this person who was considered a non-actor until two years ago, and yet has made Kal Ho Na Ho a one man show ...
# 5. Urmila Matondkar (Bhoot).
I am not known to think a lot, but I actually thought that Urmila Matondkar spoilt Deewaangee. I am not known to think at all, but I actually thought that she is the perfect example of 'No clothes, no acting'. And she proved me wrong.
We actually get the feeling that the poor girl is actually possessed, for Urmila delivers a power-packed performance.Her best scene is when the sight of the ghost makes her speechless and numb with fear, and she cannot even call out to her husband, who is sleeping on the other side of the bed.
# 4. Victor Banerjee (Joggers' Park).
Victor Banerjee tastes victory again after a good performance in Bhoot. The word ’brilliant’ would be an understatement! Apart from stupendous dialogue delivery and comfort in conversing in both Hindi and English, the key to watch is his body language. His nervousness at first meeting Jenny, which turns into curiosity, then friendship, then love and then even possessiveness is brilliantly displayed. And yes, to signify possessiveness, he doesn’t need to stammer J-j-j-j-Jenny!
# 3. Amitabh Bachchan (Baghban).
Amitabh Bachchan is back, and how! After the disgusting piece of garbage called Boom, Amitabh regains his fans’ trust with Baghban. He is the life of Baghban. Although I think he tended to go over the top in the first half an hour, his performance is brilliant from the moment his sons decide to shelter Raj and Pooja separately, turn by turn. Watch out for the scene after that, when Hema gives him the proverbial ’kasam’ and he displays a plethora of emotions without uttering a single word. Shock, disappointment, anguish and rage manifest as he wears his coat, while the couple are leaving. The manner in which he wears the coat and his body language in that sequence are simply brilliant! The clincher is when he gives a speech at the end of the movie. Bachchan brings back the era of KBC where he buttons his blazer, rubs his palms and bellows, ’’Devion sajjanon.’’ I half expected him to rattle off fifteen questions! Although he refrains from asking questions, the speech which he gives is mind-blowing. The theatre where I saw Baghban may have had merely 40 people in the hall, but I daresay atleast 30 of them had whipped out their handkerchiefs. The others, I guess, must have forgotten to bring their kerchiefs along ...
#2. Naseerudin Shah (3 Deewaarein).
The finest actor of Bollywood is a delight to watch. Playing the happy-go-lucky smooth talker, Naseer is simply brilliant. 3 Deewaarein, as a film, not only showcases an interesting story with a suspense, but also delves in into the psyche of a prisoner who is counting his last days. Naseer's 'I don't care a damn about the death sentence' attitude is outrageous, and only he has the expertise to be convincing in such a pivotal role.
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