2018 has been an amazing year for Bollywood in the area of exceptional acting. There were several standout performances in the supporting actor (male) category. These actors happily overshadowed the main leads at several points in their films.
Here’s looking at them!
Shahid Kapoor – Padmaavat
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Shahid Kapoor in Padmaavat[/caption]
This Sanjay Leela Bhansali offering might have lent the limelight to Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, but Shahid shone brightly in the role that was given to him. Playing MaharawalRatan Singh, Shahid gave a convincingly controlled and regal performance in the film. He effortlessly matched Ranveer’sbeastly Khiljiact with a refined demeanor. His screen pairing with Deepika is also worth a mention as the two looked great together.
Vicky Kaushal – Sanju
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Vicky Kaushal and Ranbir Kapoor in Sanju[/caption]
2018 is arguably Vicky Kaushal’s year as he impressed in not one but three films! He played the endearing, rock-solid friend Kamli in the Sanjay Dutt biopic Sanjuand regaled everyone with his effortless performance. Ranbir Kapoor, who played the title role might have impressed everyone by embodyingDutt’s characteristics but it was Vicky’s Kamli who left a lasting impression in the audiences’ hearts. Everyone wanted to have a friend like Vicky in their lives!
Vicky Kaushal- Raazi
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="759"]
Vicky Kaushal in Raazi[/caption]
Playing the role of a Pakistani army man and the husband of Alia Bhatt in this Meghna Gulzar directed film, Vicky shone brightly. He was subdued, effortless and loveable as Iqbal Syed who was oblivious to the fact that his wife was an Indian spy. He impressed in a brief and under-written role and was the perfect foil to Alia’sSehmat.
Vicky Kaushal- Manmarziyaan
[caption id="attachment_125456" align="aligncenter" width="560"]
Vicky Kaushal in Manmarziyaan[/caption]
Vicky owned the screen in this film. Essaying the role of Vicky Sandhu, who shirks responsibility at every juncture and is not clear about what to do in life, Vicky aced it. With blue highlighted hair, ear piercings and tattoos he was the endearing, loveable boyfriend. The only thing he was clear about in the film was that he loved Taapsee’s character! Even though he made a half-baked attempt to marry his girlfriend, he still did not emerge as the villain. The audience gave him the benefit of doubt without holding him responsible for the turmoil that Taapsee’s character faced!
Paresh Rawal-Sanju
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="730"]
Paresh Rawal in Sanju[/caption]
Paresh essayed the role of Sunil Dutt in the Sanjay Dutt biopic Sanju. His was an extremely difficult role to portray: it is easy to imitate someone’s mannerisms, walk or manner of speech but how do you portray someone’s genuineness, principles, and honesty on screen? Dutt Sr. was an enigmatic and iconic figure, well respected for his values and principles; so to bring that sense of familiarity to the audience (who knew Sunil Dutt well) was extremely difficult. But Paresh nailed it and walked away with accolades and acclaim for his sincere and honest effort.
Rishi Kapoor-102 Not Out
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Rishi Kapoor in 102 Not Out[/caption]
Rishi played the character of a 75-year-old man who is grappling with his own mortality but has an aging 102-year-old father who was not ready to slow down! He played this grumpy, dour character with aplomb and managed to make audience applaud him in the film. His chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan was crackling and the two veterans proved yet again that the story is king – not just superstar names in the film credit roll!
Jimit Trivedi- 102 Not Out
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="706"]
Jimit Trivedi in 102 Not Out[/caption]
It takes a special talent to share screen space with two veteran and extremely gifted actors, while still managing to hold your own…and Jimit Trivedi did just that in 102 Not Out. His performance was highly appreciated and he certainly made his own niche. Though he had less screen time than Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor, he proved that a fine actor can shine even in a small role!
Jim Sarbh- Padmaavat
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="670"]
Jim Sarbh in Padmaavat[/caption]
While Padmaavatboasted of big names like Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh managed to create an impact in his supporting role. Playing Malik Kafur, AlauddinKhilji’srumoured gay partner, his performance was widely appreciated by critics and the audience alike.
Gajraj Rao-Badhaai Ho
[caption id="attachment_190438" align="aligncenter" width="598"]
Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta in Badhaai Ho[/caption]
Gajraj’s role in the film might be, according to Bollywood rules, a supporting actor, but he towered above like Atlas, holding the film together on his responsible and capable shoulders. Rao’s understated, nuanced, mature and controlled portrayal of a man facing the dilemma of becoming a middle-aged father, won the hearts of everyone in the country. His tender looks at his wife, his submissive glances towards his mother and his strong stand against his children, marked Gajraj’s performance. We are tempted to nominate him in the Best Actor category rather than the supporting one!
Ayushmann Khurrana-Badhaai Ho
[caption id="attachment_162819" align="aligncenter" width="647"]
Ayushmann Khurrana in Badhaai Ho[/caption]
Ayushmann was arguably the hero of the film according to the unwritten status of Hindi films, but his role and performance were overshadowed by Gajraj Rao. Hence we nominate him in this category as well. Ayushmann’s controlled performance in coming to terms with his parents’ unplanned pregnancy had us reaching out to him. And when he stood up for them in society, we could not help but stand on cheering.
Aparshakti Khurana-Stree
[caption id="attachment_190439" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Aparshakti Khurana, Rajkummar Rao and Abhishek Bannerjee in Stree[/caption]
The Khurrana siblings killed it in 2018. Aparshakti stole the show in Stree with his comic timing, dialogue delivery and the deductions he makes against Shraddha Kapoor in the film and the ghostly Stree. His chemistry with Pankaj Tripathi, Rajkummar Rao, and Abhishek Banerjee was the highlight of the film. And spooks aside, it was his comic timing that actually went in favour of the film.
Pankaj Tripathi-Stree
[caption id="attachment_190447" align="aligncenter" width="1500"]
Pankaj Tripathi, Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti and Abhishek Banerjee in stree[/caption]
Playing the role of the know-it-all RudraBhaiya in the film, Pankaj was the gentle soul a supposed expert on the haunting in the city. However, he failed to provide any remedies on how to escape the ghost! His performance as the ‘adarshwadi’ and yet scared character made his mark in the film. With perfect comic timing (though he rarely cracked a joke in the film) and laugh, he ensured that his histrionics/antics in the film make the audience laugh out loud.
Abhishek Banerjee-Stree
[caption id="attachment_190449" align="aligncenter" width="759"]
Abhishek Banerjee in Stree[/caption]
Abhishek Banerjee was a total revelation in Stree. He played the friend who became the catalyst in the story; as he is abducted by the ghost and later turned out to be in cahoots with her. His character underwent a transformation from a happy-go-lucky, scared, mousy character in the first half; later becoming the accomplice of the ghost and helping her unleash her revenge on the men of the city.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Jaideep Ahlawat - Raazi
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="958"]
Jaideep Ahlawat in Raazi[/caption]
Apart from these standout performances a couple of other portrayals needs mention. Jaideep Ahlawat did a swell job in Raazi, with the role of Khalid Mir, a Research and Analysis Wing agent, who mentored Alia Bhatt’s character Sehmat Khan and trained her to be the Indian spy in Pakistan.
Sumeet Vyas - Veere Di Wedding
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="759"]
Sumeet Vyas in Veere Di Wedding[/caption]
Another actor who stood out was Sumeet Vyas. Although he did not have a meaty role in Veere Di Wedding, he impressed with his dilemma of keeping his love and his family happy, even when both were at odds with each other!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
