The first half of 2018 just passed by. If you ask us, it flew over Friday. With June over, let us all sit down and take a moment, to analyze the months that simply walked behind us. As we jump into the second half, it is important to revise the past and prepare for the future – so here we are, discussing: Who are the actors who wowed us with their acting chops?
Arguably, the list is long. Massively. But, after much ado, we have come down to a fair number of contenders, who we feel have given their best amongst others. The compilation includes luminaries who can meander a film to cinematic glory and those who simply are the greats of their generation.
Did your favourite one make the cut?
Ranveer Singh – Padmaavat
One who has watched Padmaavat will agree that the political brouhaha enwreathing Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s labour of love is completely unwarranted. If at all Bhansali attempts anything in this magnum opus is pay an ode to Rajputs. Cooked with all the ingredients of a block-buster recipe, Padmaavat is a Ranveer show all the way, with Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone taking leads in turns. The 33-year-old emotes a myriad of expressions, pulsating with the energy of a menacing Alauddin Khilji. Completely under the skin of the notorious character, Singh delivered his career-best, scaling from a heartthrob to a ‘method’ actor.
Chameleon is probably reel Ranveer’s spirit animal.
Vineet Kumar Singh - Mukkabaaz
It, perhaps, took 16 years for the industry to recognize Vineet aka Shravan Singh from Mukkabaaz. Foremost reason for lauding his silver screen stint comes from the fact that he has survived, to be taken seriously, amongst those who have stuck around for decades, on their own or a legacy. This up-and-coming star finds his firm grounding in a real life story brought to celluloid shelf by Anurag Kashyap. Two years of training for the role of a boxer shows impeccably well, as Vineet portrays it with utmost honesty, and delivers the right punches in Kashyap’s comeback bid.
A star is reborn.
Kartik Aaryan - Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety
Kartik always had the charisma, and an unadulterated star factor handy, but it took Sonu KeTitu Ki Sweety to cement his face amid those who boast of iconic blockbusters and fandom. This Luv Ranjan school alumnus attained the tag of a ‘full-fledged’ movie star and entry to Karan Johar-Kareena Kapoor Khan’s inner circle with his first Rs 100 crore film. The many one-liners fetched Sonu a Dadasaheb Phalke ‘Best Entertainer Award of The Year’, something Rajjo’s monologue missed out on!
Perfect breakthrough of the decade, we say!
Ajay Devgn – Raid
27 years on, Ajay is pretty much on every director’s speed dial when they require real swag. The juxtaposition of his handsome looks with his intense on-screen delivery casts a spell perfectly well. His portrayal of an uptight and courageous Indian Revenue Service officer in Raj Kumar Gupta directorial is yet another reason why Devgn is the real Singham (read force) to reckon with when it comes to cop-caper dramas. Ajay’s towering presence got a seal of approval from the critics and audience alike, raking in great moolah too.
Raiding our hearts with a brooding celluloid persona, since 1991!
Akshay Kumar - PadMan
With the ginormous success of Baby, Gabbas Is Back, OMG: Oh My God, Airlift, Rustom, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and now PadMan, Akshay Kumar and social drama can safely be spelled in the same breath. Cocooning out of his romantic hero to a high-on-action Khiladi image, Akshay is spreading the word, hitting right where it needs to be; thoughtfully weaving an entertaining experience with awareness. Although at a slow pace, Akshay flies in this biographical drama inspired by the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, under the direction of R. Balki.
Once a hero, always a hero.
John Abraham – Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran
John is bitten by the bug of patriotism these days. Slowly sliding away from his macho man image, the hunk has taken to narrating tales that need to be told, perhaps reviving the forgotten vigour of India. In his home production Parmanu, John sincerely executes Ashwat Raina. Albeit it falls short of the expected action, the producer-actor celebrates the unsung heroes and a mission few know of.
Making a mark with secrecy.
Vicky Kaushal - Love Per Square Feet
There is no slowing down Vicky! Ironically, the son of an action director hasn’t packed a single punch on the 70 mm but his performances have hit us like a bullet – point blank – fatal (in the right sense) and unforgettable. From a boyish Deepak in Masaan, to an absurd but charming Sanjay in Love Per Square Feet, Kaushal has now entered the star stratosphere. And mind you, this one is here to stay.
Acting, what? Real and raw is where it’s at.
Irrfan – Blackmail
It is a rarity, for anyone to enjoy an uninterrupted streak of critical success. Guess Irrfan knows no other ways but to impress from the word go. Not in the capacity to perform poorly, Irrfan as Dev Kaushal balances wit and humour in the right amount, with a tint of black too. If not for this award-winning actor with a laundry list of accolades, Blackmail falls flat, hard on its face. Enough to credit him as the stalwart of every story he takes under his wings.
Nailed to T = Understatement.
Amitabh Bachchan - 102 Not Out
Despite a resume full of cult classics and indelible roles, perhaps it is Bachchan’s penchant for perfection that leaves us dumbfound, always. He is, hands down, the most memorable thing about a film, regardless of the script and star cast. Big B, in 102 Not Out, plays Dattarey Vakharia, a character beyond his years. But with his signature charm, breathes life into the joie-de-vivre demeanour of an old father, enthusiastically waiting to clock a record. Bachchan, supported by his reel son Rishi Kapoor, mounts a compelling watch and stands out amongst your regular slice-of-lime experiences.
A riveting powerhouse at 75. Watch out, young men!
Rajkummar Rao – Omerta
Rajkummar is impotent of delivering a critical failure. In just 8 years, Rao’s chops have escalated from your regular romantic-comedy roles to some incredible, Oscar-worthy performances making noise internationally too. Omerta belongs to the latter game. Exploring his villain side, Rajkummar as Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh sends shivers down your spine. The cold and brutal act of a terrorist wasn’t widely appreciated in India, but certainly met with an overwhelming response at the Hong Kong Film Festival.
You can never get tired of this surprise box!
Varun Dhawan – October
This pop culture hero was rediscovered by Shoojit Sircar, in October. With Dan, Varun has proved that he can compete with the ‘serious’ actors, sample his effortless transformation from a masala entertainer to a weighty performer. Scoring straight out of the stadium, the Dhawan scion maintains his no-flop streak and easily sneaks into the likes of intense actors. The audience and critics had their reservations, considering Varun under Shoojit’s direction, but October shuts down one and all. He astutely handles the irresponsible Danish Walia, and rises to the occasion.
Coming at you like a dark horse!
Ranbir Kapoor – Sanju
A string of box office damps (Bombay Velvet, Roy, Jagga Jasoos) perhaps gave rise to the desperation to put in his utmost brilliance, as RK stepped into the mighty shoes of Sanjay Dutt, while Rajkumar Hirani navigated. Ranbir dazzles as an actor, offering heartwarming glimpses of Baba. Yes, the movie does underwhelm as a biopic, but Ranbir’s demenour and psyche under the skin of Dutt is sure to sweep you off your feet.
Welcome back, Kapoor.
Ishaan Khatter - Beyond The Clouds (Special Mention as a debutante)
Looks like the best is getting younger every Friday. After Alia Bhatt, Ishaan Khatter is a living, breathing recent example of a star-kid shinning to success. The fact that he is Shahid Kapoor’s half-brother falls far behind when you see this young actor take reins in Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds. His passion for his craft is second to none of his age. A determined attempt to deliver resonates in the palette of emotions and expressions he colours the screen with.
Ishaan gets the act from Shahid’s 16th (Kaminey) in his 1st.
Were there any other performers you feel did an exceptional job? We are all ears.
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