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THE BESTS OF JANUARY 2004
By Taran Adarsh , February 04th, 2004 - 0930 hrs IST
Despite the fact that none of the films released in January 2004 fared well at the box-office window, the month did witness some amazing on screen performances catching us unaware. Let's have a look at those who impressed us with their work…
The month belonged to Amitabh Bachchan, who delivered a bravura performance in KHAKEE. Bachchan's fan following must've touched an all-time high after KHAKEE for sure. Can't help but reproduce some of the lines we penned in the KHAKEE review: “A lesser actor would've failed to do justice to the role. This performance should serve as a textbook for everyone facing the camera in Bollywood.†Need we say more?
KHAKEE also brought to the fore the immense talent Akshay Kumar possesses. Known for his daredevil stunts till now, Akshay proved the soothsayers wrong who felt that he had his limitations and that he couldn't carry off any other role besides action-oriented stuff.
First Sanjay Dutt in MUNNABHAI M.B.B.S. and now Akshay's performance in KHAKEE proved that toughies can break into a jig and carry off comic roles with as much élan as they use their fisticuffs to settle scores. “I am glad people appreciated the efforts,†Akshay tells me, “At least now they [producer, directors, writers] won't offer me action flicks only.â€
For John Abraham, January was a crucial month. AETBAAR and PAAP, released back to back, may have failed to work magic at the box-office, but the talented actor won rave reviews for his work in these two films, mainly in AETBAAR. “But I wish the films would've succeeded. Praises for your performance are important, but the box-office rewards [collections] are more important here,†he avers. True!
Another 'baddie' [on screen] who won lots and lots of praises was Saif Ali Khan. The deadly combination of suave looks and sinister intentions worked in a big way in EK HASINA THI. Though the film didn't fare as expected, it nevertheless cemented Saif's position as a dependable actor who could deliver if given an opportunity.
Expectedly, Saif was nervous when the film hit the marquee. “But the acclaim that followed made it easier to breathe,†he confessed to this writer.
Two performances that stood out in MAQBOOL were that of Pankaj Kapur and Irrfan Khan. Strangely, both weren't the first choices for the roles in question. While Naseeruddin Shah was offered the role that eventually went to Kapur, Akshay Kumar was the first choice for the title role before it fell into Irrfan's lap.
“I trusted Vishal Bhardwaj's [director of MAQBOOL] vision,†Irrfan informs me, “So whatever praises that come my way should be directed towards him as well.â€
If Amitabh's performance in KHAKEE was a hallmark, Urmila Matondkar's hell-hath-no-fury-like-a-woman-scorned act in EK HASINA THI was the flavour of the month. Already enjoying an enviable stage in her career with author-backed roles [BHOOT, PINJAR], this act in EK HASINA THI proved that the actor had branched out to qualitative roles.
Sushmita Sen also sprang a surprise with an applaud-worthy performance in the utterly forgettable PAISA VASOOL. The film offered anything but paisa vasool entertainment, but yes, Sush's performance in the film was definitely paisa vasool.
Like always, Tabu bowled the critics and fans with a towering performance in MAQBOOL. Another landmark performance in an illustrious career. “I've stopped looking at films from that [awards] point of view,†she tells me, “The role has to satisfy me as an actor, that's the sole criteria that propels me to sign on the dotted line.â€
PAAP, released in the same week as MAQBOOL, signalled the arrival of a talented actor – new-find Udita Goswami. A difficult role nonetheless, Udita was a delight to watch in her first film. She didn't look awkward in the passionate scenes, nor did she look tongue-tied in sequences that demanded histrionics.
“I was told to cast a star, instead of a rank newcomer,†director Pooja Bhatt enlightens me, “But I knew all along that the role wouldn't suit a star. It had to be portrayed by a newcomer. Now, when I look back, I feel vindicated that I cast a new face. Not only is she [Udita] pretty to look at, she's a pretty competent actor as well.â€
Send us your feedback on this feature
*** I'll ADD, GREAT MUSIC for 2004.
PAAP
MAQBOOL
MEENAXI
CHAMELI( underated)
My salutes to URMILA, AB, SUSH,TABU, IRFAN KHAN, JOHN , SAIF,to continue GOOD RUN!
Akki..I never counted him as THE ACTOR!!like SHILPA SHETTY, SUNIL SHETTY etc etc..
Edited By arsh on 1075915678
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