Best Actor [Male] in a Supporting Role
Motion Picture Drama
Taking a step back,
or in a way continuing from our previous award; we are here at the best
supporting male drama category. Last year it was won by Ranvir Shorey, the year
before Anil George and before that Rishi Kapoor.
Whether your an
underdog, obscure or veteran actor; this one's mostly for that type of a
performer who might lurk in the shadow of the hero but definitely outshines
everyone 8 times out of 10.
This year though
they are number 3 from the bottom, not to say that's not great though. It
definitely is for these five guys, but what came before for them?
Ashish Vidyarthi, a
veteran character actor score his first nomination in a film that he was just
as much leading as he was supporting. Better push here though.
Jim Sarbh's big
debut gets him his first nod.
Bajpayee is a two
time nominee this year itself.
Like his co-star,
Salim Diwan gets his first nomination from his first film.
And finally the man
to beat Rajkumar Rao has ad 2 nomination in the leading drama category with 1
win, also being nominated once in the other supporting category yet losing it.
The one win was for Hansal Mehta's Shahid, which was the finest male Hindi performance
of the decade so far.
Anyways, apart from
these men there are others that just didn't cut it;
Satish Kaushik in
Udta Punjab-As the somewhat hilarious uncle to Shahid Kapoor's Tommy Singh,
Kaushik brings both the rustic and comedic to this role in equal aplomb.
Satyadeep Mishra in
Phobia-Playing the so called nice guy, there's a creepy and sinister attitude
to him that is underplayed with a genuine sweetness and Mishra gives the great
edge to this performance.
I'm trying to
remember the other great champions but I cannot, forgive me.
Anyways onto the
nominees...
Ashish Vidyarthi as Vishnu for Bollywood Diaries
Vidyarthi gets a
stellar role this year with Bollywood Diaries, as a retiring 9-5 worker
determined now to fulfill his dreams as an actor after all his familial
responsibilities are over.
Vidyarthi takes
Vishnu strict passion and turns it into a haunting obsession with absolute
stunning conviction. In the final scene as a dying Vishnu chants for success as
an actor in his next life, the scary passion sinks in because Vidyarthi makes
it so.
The film is tailor
made to his theatrical abilities as a performer, with scenes from his complete
dream breakdown in the office to his birthday speech/monologue allowing the
actor to orate and express like no other role has done for him in years.
This is an example
of a pure cinematic performance and an actor finally getting his due after
being mired in obscurity. Brilliance comes up short.
Jim Sarbh as Khalil
for Neerja
Part The Joker from
Dark Knight and part Borat from Borat!;
Sarbh brings an
intriguing comedic angle to his fearsome terrorist, perpetually on the edge;
Sarbh is exceptional in the way he moves around the plane like a snake, yet he
brings this frantic energy to his performance. It's like a performance jump cut
[an editing joke].
The tension relayed
in Neerja might be situational but is grows through a completely crazy Khalil.
From the slinking way he softly threatens or speaks to Neerja, to the way he is
a silent watchful spectre and finally a maniac when triggered even attacking
his own "brother".
Jim Sarbh is
eventually the energy that comes into Neerja, positioning the softer drama of
the film in a way that makes it just as enjoyable as the heroism does, becoming
the perfect foil for the restrained and subdued Sonam Kapoor.
Manoj Bajpayee as Biranchi Das for Budhia Singh Born
To Run
In what was possibly
one of the finest performances of the decade, JK Simmons won an Oscar including
countless other awards as his turn as a ruthless and ambitious, mentally
violent conductor for a school musical band.
Simmons straddled
the role perfectly that the audience was left to question whether his methods
were right or wrong.
That is the kind of
pursuit and pressure coaches bring to their protégés, they are harsh and
hurtful but when these very tactics reap benefit and success; it's hard to
doubt the methods even though there is definitely a moral line being crossed.
This is the kind of
balance Manoj Bajpayee brings to his performance as Biranchi Das, he
effectively turns into the loving and proud father of young Budhia but at the
very same time the opacity he brings to expressions may allow you to call into
question his tactics if not motive.
It's such a finely
sketched characterization by one of the most talented actors today, Bajpayee
totally sinks into the role and is riveting even more so in scenes where he is
in the backdrop of the sports and politics.
Once again Manoj
Bajpayee is at the forefront of awards season just as Simmons was, because with
performances like this that is where he belongs.
Salim Diwan as Rohit
for Bollywood Diaries
Is Salim Diwan a bad
actor playing the role of a bad actor because only he can, or is Diwan playing
the long con as a talented performer portraying a bad actor on screen?
So far, barring a
second film, the way he orchestrates this performance, the fact that its hard
to tell makes this one an absolutely touching tribute to strugglers who just
don't have quit in them.
As the affable but
eventually pitiable Rohit, Diwan seems to bring everything from his own
experiences as a struggling actor into what could just be the performance of a
lifetime. The crushing passion that turns into a madness is so poetically
brought to life by him; it's hard not to feel for Rohit and also despise the
people manipulating him.
Rohit is all heart
and that heart is pumped with blood thanks to the gruelling efforts of Diwan.
Is he a bad actor
playing a bad actor or something more, only time will tell for now the signs
point to the contrary.
Rajkumar Rao as Deepu
Sebastian for Aligarh
After three films,
it still comes as no surprise as to why Hansal Mehta has cast Rajkumar Rao in
every film of his since his ressurection as a filmmaker and it comes as no
surprise either that they work in such tune with each other.
In Rao, Mehta has
found the perfect symbolism for the sensitivity with which he tackles every
film. Despite possibly playing a role that could have gone the way of a cool
young man looking for his big break with coolness, Rao downplays his youth
centric attitude and viewpoint without losing it of course; to turn in a
performance of stunning beauty by the sheer nuance and tenderness he brings to
Deepu.
Deepu is definitely
a friendly livewire of a character, ambitious and consistently looking to ease
people into giving him what he wants yet with Prof. Siras he comes into his own
thanks to Rao's very aware turn that nearly steals the film from a phenomenal
Bajpayee, it is to Rao's credit that he knows when to be the perfect board for
Aligarh to become a film reflecting on Siras and then on his thoughts of Siras.
Rajkumar Rao is one
of the finest performer of his generation and now he can add one more feather
to his cap; this is probably one of the best performances of an actor playing
the surrogate of the audience type character.
Third time with
Hansal Mehta's not the charm, it's consistency.
And the Winner is...
Rajkumar Rao as Deepu Sebastian for Aligarh!!!
Rajkumar Rao secures his second big win with a Hansal Mehta film, indeed he is fast becoming this generations greatest performer.
Up Next: The dreaded dry humor antics of a Pakistani police officer forced to step onto Indian soil, The straight faced comedy of a principal who doesn't see the funny in his seriousness, the profoundly heart breaking psychiatrist with wisdom aplenty, the raunchy grandfather wishing for that last family photo and the shrewd All american secretary of defense that turns into a roaring Punjabi producer with quirks intact...these are the men that make you laugh, smile and swoon in melody; Best Supporting Actor in Comedy/Romantic/Musical!
'Nuff Said,
Aneesh Raikundalia
No comments:
Post a Comment