Almost a decade ago, Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi had starred in the forgettable flick Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachao. That film sank without a trace with the audience saying 'Mujhe Iss Picture Se Bachao'. However, earlier this year, it took the genius of Vishal Bhardwaj who cast the two super-talented actors once again in his protegee Abhishek Chaubey's directorial debut Ishqiya. Playing the role of two small time crooks Khalujaan and Babban, Naseer and Arshad stole the show with their crackling chemistry. While Naseer indeed looked like a man completely in love, Arshad had some of the best lines in the film. In fact, many even consider this to be Arshad's best performance after his Circuit act in the Munnabhai series
Raavan turned out to be a damp squib at the Box Office, but if there was one performance that was unanimously appreciated by one and all, it was that of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. As the feisty Ragini who is torn apart between her husband and her tormentor, Aishwarya struck the right emotions and emerged on top in an otherwise disappointing film. She also gave us one more display of her exceptional dancing skills in the superbly choreographed number 'Khilli Re'. Truly a performance worth lauding.
You don't need to simply expose to look sexy and Vidya Balan epitomised this very fact in Vishal Bhardwaj's production Ishqiya. As the village belle Krishna, Vidya was at her seductive best and had not one but two men falling for her. That she eventually takes them for the ride of their life is an altogether different story. The role had shades of grey but Vidya took to it like a fish takes to water. After winning all the major awards last year for her spectacular act in Paa, Vidya would be hoping that she gets lucky this time too for her performance in Ishqiya. And while we are still only half-way in 2010, there is no reason, why Vidya shouldn't expect a nomination at least for this bravura act of hers.
To say that Kajol is one of the finest actresses of Hindi cinema would be an understatement. After settling into matrimony, the super-talented actress became very choosy about the kind of films that she wants to be a part of. However Karan Johar gave her an irresistible offer of pairing up once again with her favourite co-star Shah Rukh Khan in My Name Is Khan. Much to the pleasure of her millions of fans, Kajol agreed to do the film. The rest as they say is history. As the spirited single mom Mandira, Kajol delivered an almost flawless performance that brought her much appreciation. Her breakdown scene when she loses her only son is surely among the best scenes of the year. This is indeed yet another landmark performance in Kajol's illustrious career. We can't wait to see her enacting Susan Sarandon's role in the official remake of Stepmom.
Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpayee in Raajneeti
It is always tough to stand out in a multi-starrer film that boasts of some of the biggest names in show business. Raajneeti, directed by Prakash Jha, had some fabulous performances from almost all the cast members but the ones who truly stood out were Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpayee.
As the suave foreign returned youngster who gets sucked into the murky world of politics, Ranbir Kapoor hit all the right notes showing that he is in a league of his own.
After memorable performances in films like Rock On and OSO, Arjun Rampal once again showed that the National Award that he bagged was no fluke as he literally sank his teeth in to the character of Prithvi Pratap.
As for Manoj Bajpayee, this was probably his best performance after his powerful act as Bhiku Mhatre in Satya. He indeed gave a 'Karaara Jawab' to all his critics who felt that his career is over and done with.
