Aug 27, 2001 07:25 PM
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Indian Film Industry, has always had a habit of TYPE-CASTING an artist. An actor does well in a particular type of role, the “image” of that role becomes his “brand” so to speak. Very rarely is he offered a role, different from his “image” AND very rarely does the actor dare to try and break the shackles of the “image” thrust upon him. Therefore, in my opinion, an actor who has dared and managed to break free of this “image” syndrome and successfully has made his mark in a variety of roles, is the best, as far as our “bollywood” is concerned. The list below in no way starts with “NO.1” and goes down to “NO.6”. ( at this point let me apologise, that instead of five, I have not been able to resist the temptation of putting a sixth actor)They are all excellent artists in their own right. I have listed them merely on seniority.
1) Ashok Kumar (Dada Muni) : Ashok Kumar started his career as a hero in black and white films, at a time when the concept of play-back singing was non-existent. (Actors themselves sang their own songs). If I am not mistaken, Ashok Kumar did a couple of films where he himself sang the songs. Tragedy, Comedy, Romantic, Sensitive, Villainous, ‘Character’-roles, name any type and you’ll find Ashok Kumar has done, not just a few, but several of each of them. By far the longest serving career in “bollywood”.
2) Sanjeev Kumar : If you have to name an actor who has given sterling performances in the widest variety of roles in the shortest period : Sanjeev Kumar would be the name. Romantic roles like that of ‘Manchali’, Sensitive roles like that of ‘Devta’ (indian version of “Les Miserable”), Aristocratic negetive roles like that of ‘Trishul’, Mentally-challenged role of Khilona, Deaf & Dumb of ‘Koshish’ a different, (none-would-dare) role of ‘Shantraj Ke Khiladi, are only some of the array of roles that Sanjeev Kumar excelled in. Feather in his cap, in my opinion, would be the film ‘Naya Din Nayi Raat’, in which he played NINE different characters, each one totally different from one another, each played to perfection.
3) Amitabh Bachhan : Arguably, the Star Of The Millenium. Started off with the almost ‘sidey’ role of a dumb boy in ‘Reshma aur Shera’, A.B. shot to fame with ‘Zanjeer’, and was almost “type-casted” as the “angry-young-man”. For a long long time we only got to see him in the “angry-young-man” type of roles, in mainly ‘action’ films. However he did manage to break out of the ‘image’ and gave some excellent memorable performances. Subtle commedy of ‘Chupke-Chupke’, mature but sensitive lover of “Silsila’ were a couple of the few films he was able to do in the midst of an array of “run-of-the-mill” action films. The only blemish in his long career, would be the patch when he started ‘branding’ his roles with the mannerisms of “Amitaabh Bachhan”. His performance in some of the films like Mahan, Pukaar, Shahenshah etc. bore the “Stamp” of “A.B.” rather than A.B. playing the character.
[ wheteher it is Amitabh Bachhan or any other actor, I feel the actor’s downslide starts the moment he starts imparting his “STYLE” to the role, rather than trying to bring out the character he is playing.]
4) Kamal Hasan : Many in our ‘bollywood’ have strived to become Robert De Nero of Indian Film Industry. Kamal Hasan, in my opinion, is ONE, of the TWO, who have come somewhere in the vicinity of achieving that goal. Unusual as it may seem, Kamal Hasan started (rather was forced to start) his career doing soft-porn, c-grade films. He has come a long way since, doing just ONE, or if unavoidable TWO, films at-a-time, (a la Robert De Nero) completely molding himself (at least his appearance and mannerisms) with the character of the film. He too has long list of variety of brilliant performances. to name a few…Intense, rebellious lover of ‘Ek Duje Ke Liye’, sensitive role of ‘Sadma’, silent-lover of ‘Sagar’, underworld Don of ‘Nayakkan’, tripple role (one of which being a dwarf) of ‘Appu Raja’ the pot-bellied corrupt ‘Mayorsaab’, double-role of the vigil-ante (father) and the notorious (son) of ‘Hindustani’.
5) Naseruddin Shah : Versatility your name is ‘Naseeruddin Shah’. Each of his role is a different one form the other. It is impossible to even classify some the roles he has portrayed. ‘Mausam’ ‘Albet Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai’ ‘Ijazazat’ ‘Mohra’ ‘Sir’. Every film different, every role different, each one played to perfection.
6) Aamir Khan : I mentioned earlier, that Kamal Hasan, in my opinion, is ONE of the TWO actors, who have come somewhere in the vicinity of achiving what Robert De Nero has. In my opinion, Aamir Khan is the second. In the recent past he too insists on doing just ONE, or if unavoidable TWO, films at-a-time, completely molding himself (altering his appearance and mannerisms) with the character of the film. Misguided youth of ‘Raakh’, lover-boy of ‘Jo Jita Wohi Sikander’, strict, no-nonsense ACP of ‘Sarfarosh’ tribal fighter of ‘Lagaan’ the ultra-modern youth of “Dil Chahata Hai’ are all different but excellent roles that he has played.
