The Decade that was (2010-2019): Best Performances in Bollywood.

This decade for Bollywood has been very good in terms of performances. Not only did this decade give us performances to remember but also performances that were self-aware and flawed. This post lists out performances by Bollywood actors which stood out and stayed with us.
                             
                                 

      

This posts only consists of performances which were based on fictional characters.  The list in no particular order is as follows:

VIDYA BALAN in Kahaani: As a woman on the lookout for her husband, Vidya gave us a performance to cherish for years to come! Moreover, her character develops more like Goddess Durga which only increases the intensity of her performances multiple folds.
VIDYA BALAN in Tumhari Sulu: When you lift the movie so much by acting 'the hell out' of the screenplay, the performance is bound to be exemplary and noticed!

                                

DEEPIKA PADUKONE in Cocktail: Arguably, the portrayal of Veronica couldn't be better than the way Deepika did in Cocktail. Vulnerable, Free Spirited Veronica was an absolute delight and revelation of the actor that Deepika was.
DEEPIKA PADUKONE in Piku: As the tired and irritated daughter of Bhaskar, Deepika played the girl next door with the utmost charm and not forget her dressing style.

                             

SHEFALI SHAH in Dil Dhadakne Do: Her portrayal of Neelam Mehra was beyond words. As a conflicted mother and wife, she was astounding.
                                                         

KANGANA RANAUT in Tanu Weds Manu Returns: Datto or Tanuja, Kangana showed why we love her and her national award is a testament to it as well.
KANGANA RANAUT in Queen: Playing the simple girl next door Rani, Kangana's performance was simple yet amazing.
                               

NEENA GUPTA in Badhaai Ho: Neena Gupta as Priyamvada Kaushik gave a performance of a lifetime to cherish. Playing a mother who loses her son's affection because of her role as a wife was heartbreaking, to say the least.
                                                   

SUREKHA SIKRI in Badhaai Ho: She played the role of a mother, a mother in law and a grandmother in the best way possible.
                                                 

ALIA BHATT in Highway: Alia in Highway was not just another star kid. Playing a rape victim iof the high society she played Veera effortlessly. Her portrayal of a victim of Stockholm Syndrome was beautiful.
ALIA BHATT in Udta Punjab: Alia playing a Bihari immigrant in the movie unknowingly caught in the drug racket was splendid. Moreover, her cute chemistry with Tommy Singh (Shahid) was amazing.
                                        

TABU in Andhadhun: Probably the best example of a grey character, Tabu's Simi was perhaps the most unlucky character. A fine blend of ruthlessness and beauty, Tabu's performance was criminally overlooked in this movie.
TABU in Haider: Tabu as Ghazala was an amazing portrayal, Gertrude, from Hamlet. Viscous, Loving and desireful, she portrayed Ghazala pitch-perfectly.
   

RAJKUMMAR RAO in Trapped: Playing a man stuck in high rise building, RR delivered a performance to be cherished for ages to come.
RAJKUMMAR RAO in Bareilly ki Barfi: Playing an innocent  Pritam Vidrohi, RR literally engulfed the UP accent like no other.
                     

RANBIR KAPOOR in Rockstar: Playing the rockstar Jordan, RK literally rocked the movie and made everyone desire to be a rockstar.
RANBIR KAPOOR in Barfi: 2 consecutive years, 2 consecutive hits, RK played the charming, affable Barfi with so much grace and panache that it's hard to imagine someone else in the role.
                     

MANOJ BAJPAYEE in Gangs of Wasseypur: Perhaps this man has given the finest performance this decade in Aligarh (biopic, hence not counted) but apart from his several outstanding performances, his performance as the iconic Sardar Khan is one for the keeps!
                                                              

SHAHID KAPOOR in Haider: SK as Haider portraying the titular character whose equivalent was Hamlet in the Shakespearean adaptation was outstanding. Shakespeare would've been proud himself if he could see him.
SHAHID KAPOOR in Udta Punjab: Playing druggie Tommy Singh, Shahid was outstanding yet again and deserves the accolades for playing such an intense character.
                            
RANVEER SINGH in Lootera: Playing an archaeologist cum con-man, Ranveer was simply exemplary in this and in my opinion, this is his best work to date.
                                                          
MANOJ PAHWA in Mulk: A father who has lost his son and is accused of being a terrorist, Manoj Pahwa's portrayal of Bilal was amazing and outstanding by each and every term. Wish him more acknowledgement in the future.
MANOJ PAHWA in Article 15: Playing a morally corrupt upper caste cop, Manoj Pahwa's act in the movie was perhaps my only take-away from this hard-hitting movie in terms of performances.
                       
GULSHAN DEVIAH in Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota: Playing a double character in this movie, Gulshan Deviah is one of the best actors working in Bollywood currently.
                                                
VICKY KAUSHAL in Masaan: Vicky Kaushal playing Deepak was spell-binding. How often does a full-fledged Bollywood debut leave one stunned? Watch his portrayal to know more!
                                                  

So, this is my list for the best of the decade. 

Please stay tuned for more regarding the best of the decade!

The Decade that was 2010-2019: Best Bollywood Music Albums!

Bollywood Music Albums are way beyond just item songs. These include songs that one cherishes even after ages, are unapologetically original and those which help in the progression of the movie story forward.

       

Before Picking my favourite 15 albums from this decade, here are some honourable mentions:

Ek Villian: Ankit Tiwari, Mithoon.

Dum Laga Ke Haisha: Anu Malik.

Delhi Belly: Ram Sampath.

  

My Favourite 15 Albums (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):

Goliyon ki Raasleela; Ram Leela: Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Perhaps his best musical work to date!

                                                            

Manmarziyaan: Amit Trivedi. With one of the best songs in forms of 'Chonch Ladiyaan', 'Daryaa', 'Sachi Mohabbat', this Amit Trivedi album is an underappreciated album.

                                                            

My Name is Khan: Shankar Ehsaan Loy. Noor-e-Khuda, Sajda, Tere Naina! 

Band Baaja Baaraat: Salim-Sulaiman. From party nights to romance. This album covered all genres!

Queen: Amit Trivedi. From 'Kinare', 'Gujariyaa' to 'London Thumakda'. This movie and its music hold a special place!

Raanjhanaa: AR Rahman. An AR Rahman masterpiece whose music took the story to another level.

                                                                 

Lootera: Amit Trivedi. Soulfully capturing the heartbreaks, 'Shikayatein', 'Ankahee' and 'Sawaar Loon' are crooned even today!

                                                                

2 States: Shankar Ehsaan Loy. "Mast Magan', "Chaandaniya', 'Locha e Ulfat'. SEL gave us an album to remember!
                                                              

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani: Vishal-Shekhar. Each and Every song rules the playlist.......6 years down the line!
                   
                                                             

Barfi: Pritam. Sweet, simple and soothing. Barfi songs can be the 'go-to' songs from this decade!
                     
                                                             

Gully Boy:  Karsh Kale. A perfect blend of relevancy and hip-hop.

                                                             

Udta Punjab: Amit Trivedi. Absolutely Innovative and an Amit Trivedi brilliance!
         
                                                              

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil: Pritam. #Channa Mereya! 1st Song for Breakups!

                                                              

Aashiqui 2: Ankit Tiwari, Mithoon, Jeet Ganguly. Kyuki 'Tum Hi Ho'. Period.
 
                                                             

Rockstar: A.R. Rahman. This was the album which I did not like initially but over time, it grew on me and how!
                                                               

Hence, this was my list for this decade's best songs. Please stay tuned for more of this Decade's best by Bollywood Elephant!
                                                          

Bala Review: Aala Re Aala, Bala Aala!

Ayushmann has finally made his own brand of cinema where he depicts the real-life problems in a middle-class India. Since "Dream Girl" did NOT work for me a bit, I was skeptical about Bala and yes, Ayushmann went back to being the Ayushmann I adored in Bareilly ki Barfi, Andhadhun.

                                 

Whats' Good: Acting: Ayushmann, Bhumi, Yami rock the stage with support from an amazing cast. Social Commentary: Some really good messaging laden with gallops of entertainment. Editing/Music/Dialogues: Amar Kaushik does well in writing the dialogue and settings. The song Tequila and Khata Hui are memorable. Characterization: Mainly, Bala works because of Latika, Bala, Pari and Mausiji who make the movie memorable.

                                           

What's Bad: Missing Factor: As the movie ended, everything was there but still not there kind of feeling was there. Story: The story has been told and lacks a novelty that Ayushmann'a films usually have. Lack of Subtlety: Bala lacks the subtlety and the message is kind of 'in your face'.

                                          

Bala is all in all the director's film. The movie works most of the time and keeps you entertained in its duration but still, there is something that seems to be missing. I am going with 3.5 stars for Bala. One of the better films of 2019, but will it stand in top10 Hindi movies of 2019 is yet to be seen!

                                            

                                                         

MIC Review: Souper-Douper Amazing! Entertaining and Relevant.

So, after a lot of speculation Rajkummar Rao-Mouni Roy starrer 'Made in China' released and perhaps you wouldn't find a better Diwali release since 2010 in Bollywood. The movie is directed by national award winner Mikhil Musale and co-stars Boman Irani, Paresh Rawal, Sumeet Vyas, Gajraj Rao.

  

                                             

What's Good: Acting: A spectacular cast can never go wrong. RR gets the Gujarati character absolutely spot on. Though, Mouni Roy is very nominal in her role as a housewife. Boman Irani as Dr.Vardhan as sexologist easily deserves an award nomination! Story: Excellent Story with a relevant message is brought to life by the director. Technical Aspects: The screenplay, the DOP does a fantastic job in keeping the story intact.

                                              

What's Bad: Incoherent: The movie's coherency is certainly questionable: like it is there but still not there. That is what the movie falters a bit at. Just like TSIP, MIC does not completely submerge you into the movie. Music: Sachin-Jigar's music is supremely underwhelming. Odhani, Valam, Sanedo all of them underwhelming.

                                                

Final Words: 'Made in China' is a MUST WATCH. It tries to talk about a very taboo topic in a funny and entertaining way and it is really doubtful whether we get a better movie. It also plays a bit with your psychology as it approaches the climax and efforts are to be lauded for bringing a taboo topic for a dining table discussion. Though its incoherency lessens the impact, I am going with 3.5 stars for this RR-BI extravaganza.

                                                

PS. Never knew that the That would give us Best Diwali release this decade will also give us the Worst Diwali Release this decade in the form of 'Housefull 4'. A crass, cringy and horrific cinema.