Dec 26, 2004 12:03 AM
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(Updated Dec 26, 2004 12:03 AM)
Indian film scene has been blessed by several beautiful and talented actresses, who have made a new meaning to the term acting. The art of acting has continuously been mastered over time and versatility has become engraved to some actresses.
Here is my tribute to 5 such actresses, who have touched my heart.
Nargis
Undoubtedly the best actress ever to grace the Indian film scene. Her mother India remains till date as the best performance by any actress in India. Though she did a majority of films for Raj Kapoor, still a few movies outside the RK banner has helped her to leave her mark. The actress of Aag, the deserted lover of Aah/ Barsaat, the lawer of Awara, the spoilt brat of Chori Chori…. She has given a range of performances for Raj Kapoor. However, in my opinion, two of her best performances came outside RK Banner. first one being Mother India and the other one was Raat aur Din, where she played the role of a person with split personality.
Nutan
If we simply go by awards, this lady had the maximum number of Filmfare awards. Her range was awesome. She did some of the most critically acclaimed roles in movies like Sujata and Bandini. Even in Milan, Anari and of course… Saudagar(with Amitabh) have been par excellence. She excelled as a character actress also in the later part of her career. She had the ability to bring life to any character.
Waheeda Rehman
Started her career as a vamp in CID and went on to dominate the hearts of millions for decades. Guru Dutt tried out her acting talents with a range of challenging roles, the most notable ones being Pyasa, sahib Biwi aur Ghulam and Kagaz ke Phool. End of her contract was not end of her career. She went ahead with even better performances in Guide and in character roles in several movies of seventies and eighties. My favourite has been her role in Lamhe in 1990.
Rekha
If versatility is the key, then she is our lady. The ugly duckling of Savan Bhadon turned herself to a chulbuli actress in Jhooti and Khubsoorat, then to the more serious roles of Silsila and Ijjajat, prostitutes in a range of movies such as Muqaddar ka Sikander, Utsav and her most acclaimed movie: Umraojaan to angry young woman(if we have a term like that) in Khoon Bhari Maang and even a negative role in Khiladiyon ka Khiladi. She is still going strong and I wish to see her in some even newer kind of roles.
Sridevi
Many may not agree seeing her in this list, but from what I have seen of her, see is truly one of the greatest. Discounting movies like Tohfa and Himmatwala, she quickly turned into a true performer with Sadma. While balancing roles for front rows on one hand, she got into more serious roles. The movies in late eighties and early nineties have been the testimonial of her performance. Chandni, Chalbaz, Mr. India, Nagina and of course. Lamhe, all these speak high volumes of her acting ability.
Five is a very short number and I obviously picked up my favourites. Still, I would like to pay tribute to the great ladies, who have been exceptional in their performances.
Meena Kumari
Jaya Bhaduri
Shabana Azmi
Smita Patil
Dimple Kapadia
Madhuri Dixit
Kajol
Tabu
