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BizAsia’s top 5 male performances of 2015

2015 has been a year of many highs and lows, and with the Indian Film Industry producing more and more films than every before, it seems film makers are branching out into different genre�۪s making the movie experience a whole lot more exciting. Though it�۪s not only down to the film-maker. This year there have been some brilliant performances, however there is always a group of actors who make such an impact in their work, that they become unforgettable. BizAsia has picked out this year�۪s top 5 male actors that have made their mark in 2015.

Salman Khan ��� ��Bajrangi Bhaijaan�۪

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Just when audiences thought Salman Khan has given all he can through his acting, he goes and plays one of his most compelling and heartfelt roles anyone has ever seen, in Kabir Khan�۪s ��Bajrangi Bhaijaan�۪. The film tells the story of Ganesh devotee Pavan Kumar Chaturvedi, who is lovingly nicknamed Bajrangi, travelling across India to help 6-year-old mute girl Shahida (Harshaali Malhotra) get back to her home in Pakistan. This film showed a completely different side of Khan that hasn�۪t been shown in a very long time. Stepping away from his usual macho roles that have become so popular for him, Khan manages to connect with his audiences on a much more emotional way, enabling them to feel as though they are going on this journey with him through this character. This critically acclaimed performance has even been quoted to be one of Khan�۪s best performances of his entire career. Playing a character so different to the one�۪s he usually plays proved a big hit for everyone, where many were even reminded of the characters the actor used to play, when he first started out in the Industry. What made the film and Khan�۪s act even better was his enlightening and emotional chemistry with Malhotra. Khan ensures to portray a message of peace, friendship and most importantly love for the humanity not matter of age, gender, religion or background. This film and this role was definitely made for Khan, in which he did justice to in every way possible.

Ranveer Singh ��� ��Bajirao Mastani’

Ranveer Singh Bajirao Mastani

When Ranveer Singh first graced the screens back in 2010, nobody had ever imagined he would reach such heights in such a short amount of time, and it seems the actor will just keep getting better and better. With his second Sanjay Leela Bhansali production ��Bajirao Mastani�۪ (based on a true story), Singh plays a character that replicates the 18th century Peshwa (prime minister) Bajirao Balad who despite being married to Kashi (Priyanka Chopra) falls in love with Mastani (Deepika Padukone) the daughter of ruler of Bundelkhand. Being a second wife as well as being Muslim, Bajirao�۪s family are unwilling to except Mastani, to the extent that they do everything in their power to get rid of her. Singh can only be described as outstanding in this film. Attempting to play a real person in any case is a difficult task in itself, however the pressure of the person being from a historic period is even more challenging. However, watching Singh in all his glory, rising up to the challenge he has succeeded beyond expectation making his job look perfectly effortless. Becoming his character completely and delivering his dialogues with such allure, the audience instantly believe that Singh is the exact replica of the real Peshwa Bajirao. Not only sharing great on screen chemistry with Padukone and Chopra, but also completely owning the screen with even just his eyes, Singh has managed to make his mark within the Industry, where he�۪s ticking all the right boxes.

Amitabh Bachchan��� ‘Piku’

Piku poster 2 340x

As Amitabh Bachchan’s career continues to grow, he never fails to put on a excellent show. This year the veteran actor’s most appreciated role was his stint as Deepika Padukone’s hypercondriac father in Shootjit Sircar’s ‘Piku’. Based on the relationship between a father who has constipation problems and a strong willed but frustrated daughter, the film takes the audience on a hilarious journey of their actual journey from Delhi to Kolkata. Filled with brilliant one liners and excellent comical timing,�� Bachchan brings out all the laughs in everyone as Bashkor Banerji, where he transforms the crude subject of bowel movements to being something to laugh about. Even with such a huge list of roles already under his belt, this one was definitely a new for Bachchan. Sharing great on screen chemistry with both Padukone and Irfaan Khan (who plays the car driver and Padukone’s love interest), Bachchan delivers his comedy in perfect timing and with pure clean innocence that reflects his character. After watching this film one can only agree that here is one actor who will forever pull something out the bag.

��Varun Dhawan ��� ‘Badlapur’

Varun Dhawan in 'Badlapur'
Varun Dhawan in ‘Badlapur’

Having always played the happy-go-lucky chocolate boy, Varun Dhawan decided to go down a different path in Sriram Raghavan�۪s ��Badlapur�۪. Essaying a much darker character Dhawan�۪s plays Raghu whose life in completely turned around when his wife is murdered by a bank robber named Liak (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Though Liak is sentenced to 15 years in prison the trauma caused to Raghu emotionally is more than he can handle. Going from a kind-hearted lovable personality, Raghu becomes dark dangerous and completely devoted to getting his revenge. Dhawan plays this roles to such perfection, that audiences even become somewhat uncomfortable with what his character later becomes. Through his performance, Dhawan has gone above and beyond what critics initially thought he was capable of. Coming into his own, where even sharing the screen with Siddiqui made him shine through, it seems Dhawan has only given his audiences a taste of his true potential. His success through ��Badlapur�۪ has ensured a promising development for Dhawan�۪s career, and it seems the critics and audiences alike can�۪t wait to see him grow.

Sushant Singh Rajput ��� ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy’

Detective Byomkesh Bakshy 1

When it was announced that Sushant Singh Rajput was signed for Dibakar Banerjee�۪s ��Detective Byomkesh Bakshy�۪, there was much speculation as to how the actor would be able to pull off such a character. However, on its release critics and audiences were very pleasantly surprised at how well Singh Rajput fit into this character. Playing the role of Byomkesh Bakshy, a detective who helps Ajit Bandyopadhyay (Anand Tiwari) attempt to find his father who has gone missing. Through their quest, they find links that connect the father to crime, murder and the underworld. Though the film holds a strong cast, it is easy to see that it rests on Singh Rajput�۪s shoulders. To some this may sound like a heavy burden however, the actor performs his role to the T. The actor brings out his best in such a way, that the audiences are literally holding on to their seats in anxiousness for what he will discover next. Through his expressions, his body language and the way he delivers his lines with such intensity, Singh Rajput proves his worth throughout this film. At a time where roles are compared, audiences will find it very difficult to think of another ��Byomkesh Bakshy�۪. It wouldn�۪t come to a surprise if Rajput Singh performance begins to set a trend in the genre of mystery and crime.

There are always a fair few that though don�۪t make the top five, definitely deserve a mention and to whom Indian Cinema would not be the same without. Ranbir Kapoor is without a doubt one such name, and with a serious of flops, he came out on top with the Imtiaz Ali directorial ��Tamasha�۪. Being paired opposite Deepika Padukone seems to work extremely well for this actor. The film evolves around a boy names Ved and a girl named Tara who meet on holiday, decided to not reveal any truths about themselves, however Tara eventually falls in love with Ved. They part, go their separate ways and never expect to see each other again until one day the Tara sees Ved and decides to tell him how she feels. However when she meets Ved he is a completely different person to who she met on holiday. Kapoor portrays two completely different characters in this film, which he performed amazingly. This role was the perfect opportunity for Kapoor to show his game again, and it sure to say he did it in the perfect way.

 

Ayushmann Khuranna shared the screen with Bhumi Pednekar in Sharat Katariya�۪s ��Dum Laga Ke Haisha�۪, Steering away from the typical romantic genre, the film sees Khuranna�۪s character Prem married to Pednekar�۪s character Sandhya who is overweight, and isn�۪t attractive to her husband. In the verge of filing for a divorce, in the attempt of giving it another chance the couple enter a competition where the husband has to carry his wife on his shoulders whilst completing an obstacle course. With a different film, comes with great responsibility, and it�۪s something that Khurranna has shown time and time again that he can do. This project is no different, and though audiences don�۪t agree with his characters motives, Khurrana knows how to get his viewers on his side. This film shows all the great aspects of his acting skills, and it�۪s one that proved being unconventional works when done right.

So there it is. With Indian Cinema having proved it has what it takes in reaching new heights, makes it all the more exciting for 2016 and beyond. There�۪s much to look forward to and here�۪s hoping we�۪re all in for some more pleasant surprises.