Performance Galore 2018

2018 saw some excellent performances from actors across India. Actors and actresses took upon challenging roles and handled the weight of it with brilliance. It resulted in some authentic performances on screen. Be it exploring the dark or crossing the boundaries of gender, human race or impersonating faces familiar in our daily life they’ve done it all last year and with exceedingly great results. So let’s take a stroll through some of the amazing performances that illuminated big screen last year.

• JAYASURYA

Film: Njan Marykutty

Role: Transsexual

Language: Malayalam

Jayasurya transforms himself physically and emotionally to portray a transsexual with perfection. The way he articulates the nuances of a transsexual’s life is remarkable. He transforms his body language, translates the emotional chaos echoing within Marykutty effortlessly. He makes you feel her dreams, struggles and her heart. It’s an incredible performance.

• KEERTHY SURESH

Film: Mahanati

Role: Yesteryear Actress (biopic)

Language: Telugu

Keerthy Suresh plays yesteryear actress Savitri with panache in Mahanati. Savitri’s legendary persona comes alive with Ms. Suresh’s impeccable performance. She owns Savitri’s exhilarating jovial personality and her tragic phase with equal grit and verve.  It’s her career best performance.

• ANURAG  KASHYAP

Film: Imaikkaa Nodigal

Role: Villain

Language: Tamil

His smile alone gives chills down the spine. Mr. Kashyap inhabits the screen as menacing Martin. His character employs the usual creepy villain archetype but his performance goes beyond the basic. His screen presence, drawling demeanour manifolds the cruelty his character embodies. He is despicably evil and undoubtedly makes a smashing Kollywood debut.

• RANI  MUKHERJI

Film: Hichki

Role: Tourette’s syndrome affected Teacher

Language: Hindi

Rani Mukherji chews into a role that gives her enough to relish. She portrays the Tourette’s syndrome with consistency. She hits the right chord with the hiccups literally and figuratively. She handles scenes that could become a melodrama fest with maturity. It is one of her clean performance till date.

• RANVEER SINGH

Film: Padmaavat

Role: Villain/ Anti-Hero

Language: Hindi

Ranveer Singh plays to the gallery in a role that suggests villainy but is moulded as an anti-hero. The character arc, in my opinion, goes heedless but is successfully elevated by a master class performance from Mr. Singh. He is deliciously evil, replenishing the dark with enthusiasm. Despite the grey shades, he makes us cheer for his performance.

• ANUSHKA SHARMA

Film: Pari

Role: Demon

Language: Hindi

Anushka Sharma does complete justice to Rukhsana. An abuse victim or a demon or a lover – every facet of Rukhsana is safe in Mrs. Sharma’s hands. She breathes innocence and vengeance into Rukhsana convincingly. She tries something novel and works it fine. It’s a flawless performance.

• GAJRAJ  RAO

Film: Badhaai Ho

Role: Middle Aged Father

Language: Hindi

Gajraj Rao pours life into Jeetender Kaushik, a middle aged man with his quirks, a strict father, an obedient son and a loving husband. He is a reflection of the common man we see in our daily lives. When he tries to overpower his subordinate or throws in English to impress his son’s lover or when he gloats in his manhood he is as real as it gets. His convincing act adds a realistic flavour to Mr. Kaushik.

• DULQUER SALMAN

Film: Mahanati

Role: Yesteryear Actor

Language: Telugu

Dulquer Salman unleashes himself while portraying Gemini Ganesan on screen. His filmography shines when he engages as a charismatic lover as well as an egoistic man trapped in his frailties in Mahanati. The way he portrays jealousy, frustration, selfishness, and uncaring attitude on one side; and the heartfelt Romeo whose one loving glance can get hearts flutter is a job done well.   He nails the mannerisms of the legendary actor without reducing it to a caricature. He feels original on-screen.

• TAAPSEE PANNU

Film: Mulk

Role: Advocate

Language: Hindi

Taapsee as Aarti Malhotra was phenomenal; beautifully restrained yet emotionally fulfilling. She balances vulnerability and strength like a pro. Fighting against prejudices within the courtroom she is authoritative, not overpowering. She displays her emotions freely but without cascading to melodrama. She holds her own against talents like Ashutosh Rana, Rishi Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor. It’s definitely one of the standout performances last year.

• DEEPIKA PADUKONE

Film: Padmaavat

Role: Queen

Language: Hindi

If one can look beyond the underwritten role, Deepika Padukone delivers a heroic performance with Padmaavat. It’s restrained but powerful, one which would’ve gone unnoticed if not for her alluring screen presence and eloquent eyes. She owns the 15 minutes long Jauhar sequence with silence, grit and effortlessness.

• HAREESH KANARAN

Film: Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha

Role: Comedian

Language: Malayalam

Hareesh Kanaran is a renowned comedian of Malayalam industry who adds his own spice to his comic timing and dialogue delivery. He kicks it hard in the film Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha. Taking center stage equally with the lead actor, he lavishly entertains us.

• KATRINA KAIF

Film: Zero

Role: Alcoholic actress

Language: Hindi

Everyone who saw Zero, audience and critics alike would agree Babita Kumari deserved her own film. An alcoholic actress who stumbles with her life is not a new premise but the spunk with which Ms.Kaif has presented Babita is efficient. From her entry to exit, she dominates the screen. Babita’s sauciness and vulnerability is authenticated with Ms. Kaif’s act.

It’s amazing to have witnessed the A game from most of the actors last year. I must admit, I enjoyed the work of many actors whom I’ve never rated highly before. Everyone is improving their craft, echoing their talent on the big screen. Audience has upped the content game and actors who took risks, tried out of the box got their due. Waiting to see what 2019 has in store for us.

I’ve made this list from the films I watched and the performances that impacted me as a cine goer. You are free to leave your additions in the comment section. I’d be glad to check them out as well.