Well, we've already had the ceremonies of mutual industry-masturbation masquerading as award shows celebrating true and deserved talent. Now let's determine who really deserves the citations...

Here are my picks for the best of last year (and don't mock me for not having a life. I just finished exams, so I'm allowed to waste my time for a bit):

Best Supporting Actress: Rani Mukherjee, Veer Zaara
(Runner-up: Gayatri Joshi, Swades)
Not exactly the strongest category this year, but these two performances certainly constitute some of the best acting seen this year. I loved Mukherjee’s old-school approach to her character in the Yash Chopra film; I felt like desatchurating the on-screen colours and placing her in a 1950s Bimal Roy producton. It was a beautifully stylized and emotive piece of work that was easily better than her cold, repetitive duties in Hum Tum. And in Swades, Joshi does something extraordinary in matching Khan’s fast pace. The girl can act, I have to say. Hopefully she’ll stick to substantial stuff; I’ll be forever wounded if I have to see her in a role that demeans her talent (like say, in a Vikram Bhatt film or something God forbid).

Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Kapoor, Maqbool
(Runner-up: No one)
An utter and complete transformation. I don’t think I need to say much about this appropriately disturbing and creepy performance. I believe everyone here on this board knows how brilliant it was. Words cannot do it justice.

Best Original Screenplay: Ashutosh Gowariker, Swades
(Runner-up: No one comes close)
Who else could take material more appropriate for a documentary-piece and infuse it with dramatic and narrative verve? No one but one of the best writer-directors working in India today. Swades grapples with such immediate subject matter, but for me, the dialogue never became preachy or overwrought (I suppose some here feel differently, but I was totally along for the ride). I wish other Indian-film screenwriters working today could write something as deep, substantial and… well, GOOD.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Vishal Bhardwaj, Maqbool
(Runner-up: Rituparno Ghosh, Chokher Bali)
The dearth of screen-adaptations would make one think that Maqbool would be an easy winner in this category, and it certainly is. However, one must not forget Chokher Bali, because it gracefully brought to life one of Tagore’s most interesting morality tales. But Bhardwaj does something even more impressive with Maqbool; not only does he impressively translate the happenings to present underworld India, but he takes the story in new, fascinating directions that, while they stray from the play, feel more Shakespeare-ian than anything. Bravo!

Best Actress: Tabu, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities
(Runner-up: Tabu, Maqbool)
Either way you cut it, Tabu emerges as the actress of the year, re-affirming her status as the absolute best performer working in the industry today (don’t even talk to me of Amitabh Bachchan, who epitomizes the term “sell-out”). I honestly can’t choose between the two performances in Maqbool and Meenaxi; as soon as I decide on one, I feel like I’m not giving the other piece of work its due. As Nimmi, she certainly did justice to the part of the hard-hearted Lady Macbeth, but infused the part with so much pathos and pain that it was difficult to judge what she does. Yet as the title character of Meenaxi, Tabu does something extraordinary – she becomes a sensational sex goddess without overstating her approach even a tad. Tabu has never been placed in the bracket of “sexy” actresses, but now she is IMO undeniably more alluring than the rest of the pack (you can keep your Priyanka Chopras, Preity Zintas and Malika Sherawats, no thanks). With her subtle tosses of the hair and soft enticing smiles, we share the plight of Raghuvir Yadav’s nawab – she’s so within reach, but we can never dream of having her.

Best Actor: Shahrukh Khan, Swades
(Runner-up: Irfan Khan, Maqbool)
Believe you me, there’s nothing more I hate than when Shahrukh gets yet another award for a crappy piece of work that he overacted in (see Devdas, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai). But this year, I have to give credit where it’s due. In Swades, Shahrukh takes all of his annoying and overused ticks and somehow makes them fresh again. As intolerable as he was in Kal Ho Naa Ho, that’s how appropriately charming he is here. He earns every moment in the film, and we root for him because he’s a man trying to do the right thing. I identified with this character; I could feel myself in his shoes. It is difficult for me to articulate how much I appreciate this performance; just consider his little moments in the film where he infuses so many details and particulars into his character. A beautifully layered piece of work, and one of his best. Irfan Khan is a close second for his smoldering, struggled pathos in Maqbool.

Best Director: M.F. Hussain, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities
(Runner-up: Ashutosh Gowariker, Swades)
I could have gone with Gowariker’s precise work in Swades, or Bhardwaj’s stirring helming in Maqbool, but for me, no other director took so much of a risk this year as Hussain did. To be blunt, Meenaxi is hardly perfect; its third act unravels faster than an infant playing with a role of toilet paper. However, his direction is something I have never seen before; he captures a dreamy exotic world where virtually anything can and will happen. Real-life happenings translate and transform into intoxicating on-screen poetry and every little insignificant detail becomes a marvel to consider. The movement of the camera surprised me at every turn and everything in his eye seemed so fresh and spontaneous. I hope he lives many more years to offer us many, many more anti-commercial film-paintings that will be recognized as visionary and daring in the years to come.

Best Cinematography: Santosh Sivan, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities
Is this a surprise to anyone? Just consider the individual songs of the film and tell me you just haven’t experienced a visual wet-dream? At times, I felt like I could jump into my t.v. screen – the colours and wonders were that rich and dazzling.

Best Music Director: A.R. Rahman, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities
(Runner-up: A.R. Rahman, Swades)
To call this Rahman’s best ever career work is a daring prospect, but for me, there is no other Hind film soundtrack that has gotten more playtime on my mp3 player, my cd walkman, or my t.v. screen – ever. These songs transcend the medium of “music” or the genre of “Indian pop/classic/modern” – to listen to Meenaxi is to experience something spiritual and other-worldly. “Noor-un-ala-Noor” is to feel outer-body transcendence; “Yeh Rishta” is to close your eyes and feel yourself immersed in blue-sapphire waters. “Rang Hai” is to enter a desert land full of colour, while “Dhuan Dhuan” is to smolder and burn. Many will perhaps disagree, but Rahman has outdone himself here. I certainly welcome him to try, but Meenaxi is one for all-time. It doesn’t get any better than this. Oh, and this is the first time since Ratnam’s Dil Se.. or perhaps Menon’s Kandukonden Kandukonden (Rahman’s other instant-classic) that his songs have been given full justice on screen. I could cry thinking about how Ghai muted Rahman’s work in Taal.

Best Art Direction: Sharmishtra Roy, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities
(Runner-up: Swades)
An easy lock. A gorgeous blend of modern-ancient with tremendous results.

Best Costume Design: Raeesa, Reima Husain, Ashley Rebello, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities
(Runner-up: No one).
Again, blending ancient/modern, Indian/European, etc. Looks like a hell of a lot of fun to explore as a costume designer.

Best Picture: Swades
(Runner-up: Maqbool)
Certainly a debatable choice considering the risky, art-house features that were ignored and dismissed this year. But I can’t dismiss Swades just to be contrarian just for the sake of it. No other recent film has touched me more deeply than this beautifully mounted and acted piece that asks us – “What do you owe to the country that raised you?”. Obviously, the movie explores more than this question (education, infrastructure, caste, sexism, etc), and that is one of the things I admire most about it. Critics suggest that this juggling of subject matter is a flaw, but I find the film gracefully flows from one issue to the next, the subtle shifts never feeling jarring or unwarranted. It gives total justice to the issues being called into question and never for a second feels preachy (again, it’s a matter of personal taste). People find the ending to be too wrapped up and perfect, and while it does seem quaint or unrealistic to a degree, that does not hinder it from feeling genuine and spirited. This film is more than something cinematic for me. I carry Swades in my heart everyday, I can’t get it out of my head. It moves me to change the way things are and make a difference. For all its flaws, Swades succeeds as a film, an essay, a dialogue, a discourse, a plea, a call – anything that you could think it to be. I can’t deny – I love it.

And the others:
Original Background Score – A.R. Rahman, Meenaxi (Runner-up: Vishal Bhardwaj, Maqbool)
Female Playback – Reena Bhardwaj, Meenaxi – “Yeh Rishtaa” (Runner-up: Asha Bhonsle, Meenaxi – “Dhuan Dhuan”)
Male Playback – A.R. Rahman, Swades – “Yeh Jo Des” (Runner-up: Udit Narayan, Swades – “Yuhi Chala”)
Lyrics – M.F. Hussain, Meenaxi – “Noor-un-ala-Noor” (Runner-up: Javed Akhtar, Swades – “Yeh Jo Des”)
Editing – Aarif Sheikh, Maqbool (Runner-up: Sanjib Datta, Ek Hasina Thi)

TALLY:
Meenaxi – 9
Maqbool – 3
Swades - 4
Veer-Zaara - 1

Now your turn guys! Don’t feel you need to explain your choices to the degree I did (although it would help to understand them better) – just fill in the following:

Best Picture –
Best Actor –
Best Actress –
Best Supporting Actor –
Best Supporting Actress –
Best Director –
Best Original Screenplay –
Best Adapted Screenplay –
Best Art Direction –
Best Music Director –
Best Cinematography-
Best Costume Design –
Best Original Background Score –
Best Female Playback –
Best Male Playback –Lyrics –
Best Editing –

Best Picture – Swades - much like you, Swades was an extremely moving experience for me because I am in the exact same situation as Mohan Bhargav. I've been thinking about the story ever since I saw it, and while I may not go back for good like SRK in the movie, it has definitely opened up my eyes to the responsibility of devoting some time/money for the betterment of people back home.
Runners up: Maqbool, Yuva, Dev

Best Actor – SRK for Swades - though I credit the story here more just because I could relate so much to the character.
Runners up: AB in Dev

Best Actress – Tabu in Maqbool
Runner up: Urmila in EHT

Best Supporting Actor – ABjr. in Yuva - just a mindblowing performance
Runner up: Pankaj Kapoor in Maqbool

Best Supporting Actress – Rani in Yuva - again the most gripping story in the movie

Best Director – Mani Ratnam for Yuva (though I wouldn't mind Gowariker winning just for the story)

Best Original Screenplay – Swades - check best film or actor for reasons

Best Adapted Screenplay – Maqbool - excellent movie and one of the few that fits this category too (perhaps Raincoat as a runner up)

Best Art Direction – Swades just for the realism

Best Music Director – ARR for Swades
Runners up: ARR for Meenaxi, ARR for Yuva, Sandesh Shandaliya for Chameli

Best Cinematography- Christopher Popp for Lakshya

Best Costume Design – Swades - good to see SRK in non trendy clothes

Best Original Background Score – Swades/Yuva - ARR is a genius in this

Best Female Playback – Sunidhi Chauhan for Dhoom

Best Male Playback – ARR for Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera

Lyrics – Javed Akhtar for Yeh Jo Des Hai

Best Editing – Ek Hasina Thi/Yuva

*have not seen Meenaxi but it would have probably figured in some of those categories, specially cinematography because I've heard great things about it.

*slaps forehead*

How did I forget about Raincoat!? I kept meaning to watch it at some point and then it passed from my memory altogether. Yeesh, this means everything might change.

And I have to say I'm glad someone else agrees about Swades; I felt the overwhelming sentiment on that film among zulmis was not so appreciative. Anyone else care to prove me wrong?

And yes, certainly see Meenaxi. Even if you find it frustratingly ambiguous at every step, you will certainly appreciate the technical work (music, cinematography, art direction, costumes, etc).

Maqbool, stands for sensitive/gripping story.
Swades, for theme.

Meenaxi..just for sheer mf hussain's art beauty.

EHT for too the point approach.

Raincoat for honesty/purity!

On Meenaxi: There is no other Bollywood(or Indian) film I can think of more mysterious, more ravishingly beautiful, and in this respects, more poetic. Meenaxi is by no means an influential piece of work, because there is simply nothing like it - not even in the brief oeuvre of M.F. Hussain. Those who love it love it almost as strongly as I do, those who don't feel a sense of detachment while watching. That sense of detachment comes no-doubt from the fact that Meenaxi is a film that revolves entirely around images. Everything about the film forces you to think, and more importantly, feel differently than any film that has been released to this date. It's also arguably autobiographical with common similarities between Nawab & Hussain. The film's profound final act speaks with a tone of emptiness, sorrow and spiritual loss - Hussain's personal masterpiece.

Best Actor – Raghuvir Yadav (Meenaxi)
Best Actress – Tabu (Meenaxi)
Best Supporting Actor – Punkaj Kapur (Maqbool)
Best Supporting Actress – Rani Mukherjee (Veer Zaara)
Best Director – Vishal Bharadwaj
Best Original Screenplay – Owais Husain (Meenaxi)
Best Adapted Screenplay – Abbas Tyrewala /Vishal Bharadwaj (Maqbool)
Best Art Direction – Sharmishta Roy (Meeanxi)
Best Music Director – A.R. Rahman (Meenaxi)
Best Cinematography- Santosh Sivan (Meenaxi)
Best Costume Design – Raisa Husain /Reima Husain /Ashley Rebello (Meenaxi)
Best Original Background Score – A.R. Rahman (Swades)
Best Female Playback – Reena Bharadwaj - "Yeah Rishta" - Meenaxi
Best Male Playback –Lyrics – A.R. Rahman - "Yeah Jo Desh Hai Tera" - Swades
Best Editing – A. Sreekar Prasad (Meenaxi)

Beyond Best Picture, my overall tabulations lack the judgement of a few other major releases from last year. I have yet to see; Chokar Bali, Musafir, & Raincoat.

Best Picture - Swades
Best Actor – Shah Rukh Khan (Swades)
Best Actress – ?
Best Supporting Actor – Abhishek Bachchan (Yuva)
Best Supporting Actress – Rani Mukherjee (Yuva)
Best Director – Ashutosh Gowarikar (Swades)/Mani Ratnam (Yuva)/Farhan Akhtar (Lakshya) - Gowarikar was the most consistently good, while the other two had flashes of directorial brilliance in each of their films
Best Original Screenplay – Ashutosh Gowarikar (Swades)
Best Adapted Screenplay – ?
Best Art Direction – Sharmishta Roy (Meenaxi)
Best Music Director – A.R. Rahman (Swades/Yuva, and ok, fine Meenaxi)
Best Cinematography- Santosh Sivan (Meenaxi)
Best Costume Design – ?
Best Original Background Score – A.R. Rahman (Swades)

I think Meenaxi is a bit overrated here. What really spoils it for me is that last, unwatchable Prague act.

I think Swades is definitely the film of the year (although some NASA scenes were terribly fake). Quality writing, quality music, and quality direction. After this movie, Gowarikar has become one of the few people who I trust in Bollywood (Rahman and Farhan Akhtar being two others).

Haven't seen Raincoat and have only watched Maqbool on a poor quality DVD (preliminary thoughts: excellent acting, smooth, but I didn't think it was amazing).