I am writing this article on some of the top dogs of Bollywood from 2002 to 2004. I have not put them in any order as it would be unfair to judge the amount of effort and brilliance they have put in. I may have forgotten some, maybe because I think they were not worthy of achieving this list or maybe because I have not seen the movie. This list is of actors/actresses and directors. I am not really ready yet to comment on other categories e.g. music.
Saif Ali Khan: In my opinion his was the best performance in Kal Ho Naa Ho. The amount of talent he can display as a ''side-hero'' was shown in Dil Chahta Hai. Once again in KHNH he showed his abilities. His comic timing, expressions, body language, chemistry with other actors and his dramatic scene prove that he is one of the best today. His performance was well worth a nomination and possibly the award for best supporting actor.
Preity Zinta: The second member of the Kal Ho Naa Ho crew. Well not just her performance in Kal Ho Naa Ho, but also in Koi Mil Gaya, where she portrayed the change of a mature women to a childish person alongside Hrithik Roshan, her seriousness and resolve in Lakshya, her writing column in the BBC network, she has proved to be an actress of substance.
Om Puri: His performance in Dhoop alone was enough to bring him in the list. One of the best versatile actors ever, he has represented Bollywood internationally and won lots of critical acclaim. Other than Dhoop, as the character with grey shades in Dev, the larger than life King of Bollywood (A MUST SEE!), and Maqbool. A brilliant veteran actor who has no limits.
Irfan Khan: What can I say! His performance in Maqbool was spell binding. After seeing his performance I cannot imagine one other actor in that role. In Haasil again he has managed to shows his skill. An actor who gets better and better and was already brilliant to start with. Any film of his is worth watching just for his performance. An actor who never sinks below expectations.
Sanjay Dutt: He gave one of his career best performances in Munna Bhai MBBS. He won the heart of millions. He stole the show in Plan, which was a weak film but the moment Sanjay Dutt arrived on screen, it was Sanjay Dutt only. Need I say more?
Pankaj Kapoor: How did he get on the list? Before I said Irfan Khan's performance in Maqbool was spell binding. Pankaj Kapoor, however had the best performance in the movie. An actor ingnored by Bollywood, he showed everyone that even after working with sincere dedication in Dramas, Serials, he can easily return with an award winning performance.
Hrithik Roshan: His larger than life, innocent and spledid performance in Koi Mil Gaya proves that he was not a 1 hit wonder. He won all the awards for his performance except the national award. Then again in Lakshya he gave a tremendous deliverance.
Manoj Bajpai: Bhiku Matre was immortalised. Then many others. This time it was Rashid in Pinjar. He defeated thew favourite Hrithik Roshan to the National award, his second now. His performance in LOC was also noteworthy. A character actor like Irfan Khan, he too is highly dependable.
Sharukh Khan: Most of you are thinking what the hell is he doing here. I too have critisized him before. The main reason for my critisicm towards SRK is the fact that he repeats himself. Even then, there is no denying that he can act, and can do it pretty well. Chalte Chalte, Main Hoon Na and Kal Ho Naa Ho were very good performances, even though they were not award worthy. Veer Zaara will possibly prove to be a turning point in his career. He plays a more depth character this time, and the same in Swades. Both movies will depict that he can act in various roles.
Amitabh Bachan: His power house performance in Khakee needs no revisitation. The same with Baghban, Dev, and almost every other movie he has done. He is one of the commercially succesful, who has the ability to be a character actor.
Rani Mukherji: A simply tremendous actress. Chalte Chalte, Yuva, Hum Tum and forth. She delivers, and she is outstanding. Her voice is the ruelr of all hearts. Not only beautiful, talented but she also has a special outlook for doing various roles.
Urmilla Matondkar: Not really one of my favourite actresses, but she delivered hit after hit after hit. Bhoot - a performance above Preity Zinta's in Kal Ho Na Ho. Ek Hasina Thi, again an absolutely intense and brilliantly executed performance, the same with Pinjar. She managed to mix succes with versatality.
Tabu: She too like Urmilla has been fabulous. Her performances in Hawa, Chandni Bar and Maqbool were mind blowing. She can experiment well and beats her previous achievement each time.
Rajkumar Santoshi: The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Khakee. He managed to portray historical/social themes of cinema into commercialism. Very few have the ability to do that. A simple genius who only creates masterpieces when it comes to direction. His movies have fetched actors their national awards - Ghayal, Damini, Ghatak, Pukar, The Legend of Bhagat Singh. This year maybe Khakee to for Amitabh Bachan's performance.
J.P. Dutta: LOC proves to be history in the making. An excellent war movie by a brave director. Many people have slammed LOC as too long. But are we that ignorant that we cannot give extra time to pay tribute to those who lost lives. JP Dutta has achieved what he wanted to do - to immortalise the soldiers who died. And he was succesful in doing so. Bollywood should be grateful that a director had the guts to make such a difficult movie.
Ajay Devgan: It all started with Company. The Legend, Deewangee, LOC, Bhoot, Zameen, Gangajal, Qayamat, Yuva, Khakee. He suddnely found inside him ability which was waiting to come out since years. He became a director's dream actor. His forthcoming movies are more than awaited - an actor of his calibre only knows one direction and let me tell you for this guy, the sky is not the limit.
SPECIAL TRIBUTE - YASH JOHAR
So many come on this earth,
To prove our own worth,
Only a few leave an impression,
While others try to gain attention.
We are changed by circumstances,
Because to wisdom we give no glances,
But those who can change times,
Are well above the price of dimes.
