New Delhi: The makers always focus on the lead actors' face value during the promotional period of a film. This leaves supporting cast on their own, and they require extra efforts to make their presence felt. Sometimes they succeed in fetching the attention, most of the time they don't. This is a list of those actors who stood out in a small role due to their subtlety and intensity.
Rajatava Dutta (Dr Ranjan Palit, Ek Thi Daayan): He played Bobo the Baffler's (Emraan Hashmi) psychiatrist who doesn't believe in supernatural powers. The character was very fond of jokes and jovial conversations. In a scene, he asks Bobo about a witch's powers and after learning that witches possess amazing sexual prowess, requests Bobo to transfer a similar power to his aging girlfriends. His diction, dressing, gaze, everything made him the perfect neighbourhood actor.
Rajiv Gupta (Minister Prabhu Tewari, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns): A wannabe gangster enters a minister's office and a hilarious scene begins. The naive minister is watching a porn site, but doesn't know how to operate a laptop. Now, the gangster who is pretending to be a reporter and the technically challenged minister are playing a cat and mouse game. Finally, the minister admits his mistake and gets the machine closed. Two fantastically armoured actors (Irrfan and Gupta) give each other a tough run for money in this dark but brilliantly crafted scene.
Siddhartha Basu (Robin Dutt, Madras Cafe): It was a brave decision on part of director Shoojit Sircar to cast Siddhartha Basu, the quizmaster, in a role which required in-depth understanding of the modus-operandi of secret services, but Basu emerged as a tailor made actor for it. His expressions made the audience sympathetic towards his job and his toughness put any speculations about his loyalty at bay. Praksh Belawadi (Bala) was another revelation of 'Madras Cafe'. He looked like a common corrupt government employee, but much more dangerous.
Zeeshan Ayyub (Arif Azmi, Shahid): Rajkummar Rao (He has changed his name recently) nailed it in the role of slain activist Shahid Azmi, but he wouldn't have been able to play it so soulfully without the support of Zeeshan Ayyub, who plays his elder brother in the film. Zeeshan was seen as someone who was shouldering the responsibilities of the family while Shahid was taking care of his studies and struggle as a newcomer lawyer. Zeeshan dissolved in the story in such a way that his persona became the reflection of Mumbai's ghettos.
Swara Bhaskar (Suman, Aurangzeb): Yes, she has been more visible and outspoken in other films, but her 'Aurangzeb' act was much more refreshing and nuanced than most of her other roles. She played the typical India housewife who craves for a little love and care but her husband (Prithviraj) shies away from showing any soft emotions. She rose up to the occasion and matched shoulders with more experienced fellow actors.
Barun Chanda, Arif Zakaria, Shirin Guha (Zamindar Babu, Bajpai Jee, Devjani, Lootera): It was completely a team effort but individuals put their best foot forward and it ultimately turned into a competition. These three supporting actors of 'Lootera' made the first half extremely engaging and eased off the tension from the shoulders of Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha. In my opinion, they were the biggest contributors of the film as they made the premise believable.
Rajesh Sharma (Mama Jee, Shuddh Desi Romance): The versatile Titu is growing as an actor with every film, and that made him stand out in 'Shuddh Desi Romance' despite a two bit role. He represented those relatives whose only agenda is to disturb a family function, like those jealous types. The self proclaimed champion of everyone's safety and morality, Rajesh Sharma made his small role memorable.
Bharati Achrekar (Voice-over, The Lunchbox): It's a special mention because Bharati Achrekar was not physically present in the film, but her voice was an integral part of it. She played Nimrat Kaur's friend who was an expert on everything. And, yes, her voice was filled with heartfelt pain.
Comments
0 comment