Bollywood's Best in 2010

A look at the most entertaining films of the year

Avani Jain in Pune

Every year Bollywood churns out dozens of films with some rocking the chartbusters while others terribly crashing at the box office. If we talk about the year 2010, then it can be declared as unbelievably temperamental year for Bollywood recording major highs and lows.
While there were major flops like big budgeted Anurag Basu’s Kites and Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, there were films like Udaan and Tere Bin Laden with smaller budgets, lesser known actors and debutant directors- Vikramaditya Motwane, Abhishek Chaubey respectively, which won the hearts of critics.
Then there were few films like Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzarish, Prakash Jha’s multi-starrer Rajneeti and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Ishqiya and Amir Khan Production’s Peepli Live, which were amongst the average hits of the year but were limited only to particular section of the audience i.e. the upper class.
When we look at some of the names above, then we can also conclude that some worked because of their script, some due to their direction and others due to their big star cast etc. In short, there were only few films which could be tagged as perfect entertainer of the year.
Let’s look at the three best entertaining movies of 2010.

Image: Counting the best films of the year

Source: http://www.cinemaonline.com/

Dabaang

Salmaan starrer Dabangg can be easily declared as the most successful entertainer of the year 2010 as right from the script, direction, acting and music, everything seemed to be perfect it. The film broke all box office records and was loved by every section of the audience. Even before the film was released, people were already dancing on the tunes of ‘Munni Badnaam hui.’
This knuckle-crushing film marked the thumping return of the delightful subgenre- the unapologetic mainstream masala action flick set in small-town of India. Blended with Chulbul Pandey’s irreverent masculinity with paisa vasool dialogues and some of the most original action scenes, the film won every commoner’s heart.
Through the film, Salman and debutant director Abhinav Singh Kashyap clearly proved that there is enough space for 'unfashionable' India to be the backdrop of a Bollywood blockbuster and that well-made films packed with kicks, screams, explosions and gunfire also have a chance.

Image: Trailer of Dabangg
Source: http://www.youtube.com/

Band Baaja Baaraat

Following the lines of Dabbang i.e. simple story targeting all sets of audiences, Anushka Sharma & debutant actor Ranveer Singh starrer Band Baaja Baaraat came as a rather unlikely offering from Yash Raj Films, a studio that has seldom deviated from its tradition of making extravagant films featuring larger-than-life stars. Although released in last month of the year, but with all the masala for a perfect entertainer, it became the second most entertaining film of the year 2010.The first thing about it that caught everyone’s eye was the novel concept of the film. In a country obsessed with marriages and where the whole proceedings involve a long list of rituals spread over a span of 10-15 days, the audiences were undoubtedly hooked by the two wedding planners and their efforts. The setting, the ambience, the lingo, the overall tone and mood of the film was enough to woo the audience.Directed by Maneesh Sharma, the film benefited enormously from its two core strengths – sharp writing, and shooting on location. Both, in fact, gave the film and its characters a real and believable feel.Marinated in the zingy masalas of Delhi and its carefree folk, Band Baaja Baaraat packed in celebration, drama, humour, banter, love, hate all in one go and successfully served it to the audience.

Image: Trailer of Band Baaja Baaraat
Source: http://www.youtube.com/

My Name is Khan

With the classic pair of Shahrukh-Kajol in the film, My Name is Khan was one of the most meaningful and moving films to be rolled out from the Bollywood mills in recent times.
The film took on an expansive canvas: 9/11, post 9/11, racial abuse, a hysterical US jurisprudence, hurricane Katrina but primarily remained a story of a good man and his mission.
It featured a striking performance by Shahrukh Khan. While there were few powerful scenes that brought tears in one’s eyes, there were others where Shahrukh managed to make the audience laugh.
Aided by solid camerawork, tight editing, a layered story and touching soundtrack, Karan Johar crafted an engaging, stirring saga that was earnest and noble. It not only entertained, but also mesmerized, enthralled and captivated the viewer. Thus, looking at the box office numbers and the audience reaction, My name is Khan can easily be called as the third successful entertainer of the year 2010.

Image: Trailer of My Name is Khan
Source: http://www.youtube.com/

The Best of Amir Khan

A sneak peek into some of his memorable roles in films

Avani Jain in Pune

It would be tough to define Aamir Khan in one word. Tagged as perfectionist, maverick, a marketing genius, Mr. Blockbuster and now a conscious director, Khan's success script is what masala Hindi films are made of.
Be it Amar of Andaaz Apna Apna (1944), a boorish chauvinistic husband Raja of Raja Hindustani (1996), courageous ACP Rathore of Sarfarosh (1999), fierce farmer- Bhuvan of Oscar nominated Lagaan (2001) or a tapori Munna singing 'Aati Kya Khandala' in Ghulam (1998), he is loved by the audience in every Avatar.

Image: Amir at 2010 Toronto Internation Film Festival

Source: http://www.amirkhan.com/

Born to producer Tahir Hussain, Aamir Khan's debut film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak refashioned filmdom's lingua franca and his latest Dhobi Ghat where he plays the character of a painter Arun proved that he's capable of creating magic with not just commercial movies, but also off-beat movies.

Amir has 33 films to his credit in his 23-year long film journey with almost a dozen astounding hits and mind-blowing performances. This journey has been an uncompromising one - paced at his will and whim - with controversy, awards, friends and fights strewn along the way.
As he turns 46 on March 14, here's a look at his best roles unadulterated.

Image: Trailer of Amir's latest Dhobighat
Source: http://www.youtube.com/


Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)
Aamir Khan's effervescent debut in this film made him an overnight sensation. His portrayal of a teenage-lover was everything giggly girls wanted to see on-screen. His dramatisation of Raj was of the boy-next-door without cockiness but charisma, without smarts but heart and of silence rather than verbose dialogue.

Image: A scene from Qayamat se Qayamat tak
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Rangeela (1995)
Aamir Khan's role of tapori Munna set off a slew of characters. His street smart tapori's claim to love and good life had an unbelievably soppy and sugar-sweet ending. But it had us all rooting for this underdog.
His wardrobe and lingua franca set off a new trend of both dialogues and made the bright and jazzy super cool!

Image: A scene from Rangeela
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
"Waise bhi perfection ko improve karna mushkil hota hai." This line perhaps identified the cockiness of Aamir Khan's character and his own towering standards in real life. Establishing his own relevance in Bollywood like his character, Khan gave Akash a character graph and an attitude that even the word cool couldn't.

mage: A scene from Dil Chahta Hai
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Rang De Basanti (2006)
As the flashy DJ, Aamir's character, says on screen, "We have one foot in the past, one in the future and are pissing on the present."
This dialogue outlined the premise of the movie whose message set off debates, candle light marches for the-then cases of Priyadashini Matoo, Jessica Lall and more, creating what is still dubbed as 'The RDB effect'.

Image: A scene from Rang De Basanti
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Taare Zameen Par (2007)
Playing art-school teacher Ram Shankar Nikhumb, he highlighted in the second half of the film, what a great school teacher can do for a student.
In this film, Aamir Khan very willingly lets his co-actors eclipse him. In fact, he underplays his part magnificently and munificently allows his fellow cast to be conspicuous in their respective parts. In actuality, not many actors in moviedom would dare to even think that way!

Image: A scene from Taare Zameen Par
Source: http://www.rediff.com/

Ghajini (2008)
Much has been written about Aamir's muscles which he honed for a year as well as how he designed the marketing strategy for his home production to such an extent that it will now be taught as part of a course in film marketing at IIM-Ahmedabad.
Everything about the film -- from the phone numbers etched onto his body, his shaven look and even his memory loss -- made news.

Image: A scene from Ghajini
Source: http://www.ghajinimovie.com/

3 Idiots (2009)
A 44-year-old Aamir Khan played an IIT student without making him over the top. Playing Rancho inquisitive, innovative and easy, Khan seems to have hit the perfect formula to be an Idiot.
The famous dialogue- “success ke peeche mat bhago, kabil bano, success to jhak marke ayegi” holds true for Aamir Khan. The role is essentially appraised amongst the youngsters largely because it redefined education and tried to add a fun element to it. This film was a huge success at the box office and proved that surely “All izz well” with Aamir Khan.

Image: A scene from 3 Idiots

Source: http://www.rediff.com/