In March this year, the Government of India announced a complete lockdown due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. With theatres shut for months together, filmmakers took the chance to explore the web platform and trusted their films with leading OTT giants. Actresses and actors delivered superlative performances in them and drew the audience to watch them at home. 

While films, theatrical and OTT, boasted of their lead cast’s performances, the supporting actresses were indeed their backbone. Some helped in taking the narrative forward and some added freshness to the flow of the story. As we are about to end 2020, let’s take a look at some of the finest performances by supporting actresses. 

Tabu: Jawaani Jaaneman

Tabu played the role of Alaya F’s mother, Ananya, in this year’s quirky and lovable film Jawaani Jaaneman. A spiritually empowered hippie, she added oomph and drama to the story with a certain ease. Though she appeared only for a few minutes, she left a mark with talks of chakras, positive energy and of course, ‘sambhog’. 

Neena Gupta: Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

Neena Gupta has become the favourite ‘mom’ of Bollywood. After the magnanimous success of Badhaai Ho, the veteran actress went on to pull off some interesting roles of the leading actors/actresses’ mother with her terrific screen presence. Similarly, in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, she lent weight to the film as Jitendra Kumar’s mother who has to make peace with her son’s sexuality. 

Paoli Dam: Bulbbul

Paoli Dam played the role of Binodini, the ‘choti bahu’ of a Bengali household. Wrecking damage, Binodini suffered within the household for not getting her due credit of being the badi bahu given that she was older than Bulbbul, a child bride. Considering Bulbbul as her competitor, Binodini always engaged in a game of giving it back to her with wordplay. She adds merit to the tale with her subtle acting and enigmatic presence. One of the most tragic characters, Paoli aced every scene with grace. 

Swastika Mukherjee: Dil Bechara

Swastika Mukherjee had a brief yet lovely role to play in Dil Bechara. As Kizie’s mother, the ace Bengali actress brought out maternal instincts that were relatable and real. She added depth to her performance as a worried mother who could not stop thinking what tomorrow would bring for her daughter, who was a cancer patient.