[tps_footer]As awards season heats up in Bollywood, we are taking a look at the nominations and the buzz around the biggest and most prestigious awards night for the Indian film fraternity: The Filmfare Awards. Instituted in the mid 1900’s, the Filmfare awards has been Bollywood’s definitive answer to those glitzy award ceremonies over in Hollywood- the Oscars.
Like the Academy awards, the Filmfare too is the one big awards night that brings the entire film industry together, to celebrate each other’s triumphs. Bollywood stars genuinely gather together to revel in each other’s achievements, for one night each year.
Among the nominees, there will always be those who are the most deserving candidates. The ones who literally transformed themselves for the role. The ones who attempted something completely alien to them, stepped outside their comfort zone, in order to entertain. The ones who pushed all boundaries, in their quest for excellence. These are the people who have delivered good on the most challenging roles…
Last year, a host of Bollywood stars did just that- stepped out of their comfort zone, transformed themselves physically or mentally, tried something unique, believed in their directors, and gave us unforgettable, magical cinema.
Farhan Akhtar: Possibly the most challenging role of the year was that of legendary athlete Milkha Singh aka the Flying Sikh. Farhan Akhtar did not look the part, or play the part- nay, he became the part. Farhan Akhtar was Milkha Singh, in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Farhan not only metamorphosed into the role, but he mentally began to think and behave like an athlete. He modified his entire lifestyle, changed his dietary, sleep and exercise patterns; and reportedly gave up smoking and drinking during the filming. He trained day and night, lifted weights, ran long distance, pumped iron, switched up his routine, alternating between cardio and strength training, fortified his core… the list is endless. The result was, naturally, that Farhan pulled off one of the most challenging roles in Hindi cinema in recent times, most convincingly. Whether he sweeps all the awards this season or not, our vote for pulling off the most demanding roles with utmost sincerity goes to Farhan Akhtar. Salut, sir!
Shah Rukh Khan: There is virtually nothing this man cannot do, once he puts his mind to it. For years, he played the serenading, intense, passionate lover boy hero. His romance on screen is legendary- people speak of Shah Rukh, as they would a King or God of Romance. Then, he tried his hand at action roles, and succeeded most convincingly. Out-and-out comedy was a genre he had not so far attempted, but once he did, there was no stopping him. Rohit Shetty’s Chennai Express wouldn’t have been the same with any other actor, because SRK breathed life into the part of a wimpy, 40+ man who is more interested in partying with his buddies than fulfilling obligations to his family. Nonetheless, Shah Rukh pulled off this tricky role, which could have easily bombed in his face, with balance and restraint- never letting the role become too much of a caricature.
Deepika Padukone: Another revelation this year was Deepika Padukone. There was literally nothing this superstar actress couldn’t do. From yuppie, urban college girl turned doctor in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, to intense, smouldering seductress in Ram Leela, Deepika Padukone displayed her ample range as an actress. Her standout performance, though, was in Chennai Express. Deepika pushed herself to the limit to play the role of the mafioso don’s South Indian daughter. There was equal parts comedy and drama required of her throughout the film, and Deepika did full justice to both. Deepika really has come a long way as an actress, because she is so hardworking, dedicated and sincere. We doff our hat to the beautiful Ms. Padukone.
Irrfan Khan–Nimrat Kaur: How to convey romance, passion and longing when your role requires you never to meet your paramour? Just ask the peerless Irrfan Khan and the lovely Nimrat Kaur. The duo was sizzling on celluloid, in their delectable feature film The Lunchbox. Irrfan and Nimrat’s crackling chemistry, and their unrequited love for one another in the film was palpable- one could almost smell and taste it, much like the delicacies being prepared by Nimrat’s Ila. Both roles were of a difficult, trying nature, but both Irrfan and Nimrat pulled it off with so much ease, as though they were made for the part. Superlative acting, really. All the more so, considering The Lunchbox was Nimrat Kaur’s first film. Speechless.
Sonakshi Sinha– Ranveer Singh: Having only previously seen both these actors play your average masala hero-heroine, these two were literally a breath of fresh air in Lootera. Sonakshi Sinha was everything we’d hoped to see her as- soft, demure, vulnerable, infantile- and yet, at times fierce and impacable. Strong headed, hard-hearted, and at the same time innocent and gullible. Ranveer was the perfect foil to her, and the two absolutely weaved magic on celluloid. The film was unforgettable, their roles were extremely challenging, and they both played the part so well that it made us weep a little bit. Never before, never again.[/tps_footer]
