Happy New Year friends. 2020 was a tough year in general. Hope 2021 turns out better for all of us 💕
Coming to the topic, 2020 saw some of the bravest performances on celluloid. New promising talents emerged and established actors gave some of their bests. One interesting fact about this year’s list is that most of my entries are women performers; it was truly their year. I’m happy to see actresses from varied generations and most of them superstars in their own right adding more gems to their filmographies in 2020. Let’s take a look at some of the cinematic excellences of 2020.
Deepika Padukone as Malti (Chhapaak)
Deepika Padukone is endearing as Malti. Loosely based on Laxmi Agarwal’s life, Deepika does a great job in embodying Laxmi’s body language, her soft spoken nature and most importantly her resilient spirit. The searing screams of Malti dipped in agony is one of the best celluloid moments this year. The sheer pain that comes through the echoes of that scream is gut wrenching. Face covered in prosthetics does nothing to hinder the nuances – be it holding a earring and heartbreakingly acknowledging the dismantled ear or a light smile that adorns her lips when Malti lifts the veil of her face. It is an arresting performance that disguises itself as effortless.
Kalidas Jayaram as Sathaar (Paava Kadhaigal)
Kalidas as Sathaar is nothing short of a revelation. Kalidas breathes life into a well written role and takes it few notches higher. Saathar’s walk, talk, expressions and most importantly feelings are safe in this young talent’s hands. What makes the performance impeccable is the balance with which Kalidas played it. Sathaar’s breakdown at being embraced with love is the stand out moment for me.
Tripti Dimri as Bulbul (Bulbul)
A unanimous winner of applauds this year. Tripti portrays the childlike innocent girl and worldly wise woman with equal aplomb. Gruelling scenes of violence gives more room for the actor to expose her extremes. A wry smirk that tells more than it should becomes a Bulbul trademark moment.
Urvashi ( Putham Pudhu Kaalai, Mukuthi Amman, Varane Avishyamundu)
Urvashi is an acting legend who has crossed 40 decades in cinema already. This year she has given multiple performances that leaves an impact.
Her quirky avatar as Laxmi in Putham Pudhu Kalai is a sight for sore eyes. Laxmi is simple fun and a clean original.
Her performance as Paalthangam in Mukuthi Amman is a tight ropping between incredible comic timing and heart warming emotional intensity.
In Varane Avishyamundu, as the prospective mother-in-law to the lead heroine, Dr. Sherly is shattering the supposed mother-in-law stereotype. She is effortless fun in most scenes and the emotional restraint she holds in her last scene stands in stark contrast, once again proving Urvashi the actor’s mettle.
The shot of Laxmi inside the cupboard with a cup of tea and a satisfied smile has to be the best Urvashi moment this year.
Shobana as Neena (Varane Avishyamundu)
A divorced mother of a grown up daughter is often propped as a stereotype; but not Neena. Shobana as Neena is a thriving romantic, modern in outlook, owning her womanhood and very different from the usual mother template. Shobana lives the role to perfection. She is graceful and assertive as Neena bringing more weightage to the well written role. Bhagyalakshmi’s dubbing also aids the performance. Neena denying and accepting her love affair before daughter in the same scene is Shobana’s ace moment.
Simran as Mathiazhagu (Paava Kadhaigal)
This is a performance that grew on me with time. Mathiazhagu is a typical conservative Indian woman who believes her body’s purity trumps everything. She is a cleanliness freak who denies pulling off the car seat covers to keep the seats pure. Simran marks Mathiazhagu with her soul; so much so that I was not surprised when I saw the last shot. Within minutes Simran established Mathiazhagu’s persona to the audience that it feels like the most natural thing to expect of her. The way she tries to clean her daughter after the disastrous incident is Simran’s iconic moment this year.
Tabu as Ananya (Jawaani Jaaneman)
Tabu plays a hippie in this one and it is more of a guest appearance. But her quirky avatar and straight faced humour can make for a standalone film. Except for one ridiculous scene in the narrative, Tabu shines once again.
Special Mention
Aparna Balamurali as Bommi (Soorarai Pottru)
Prakash Raj as Janakiraman (Paava Kadhaigal)
Sai Pallavi as Sumathi (Paava Kadhaigal)
Irrfaan Khan as Champak Bansal (Angrezi Medium)
Manu Rishi as Chaman Tripathi (Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan)
Pavail Gulati as Vikram (Thappad)
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