Now, this one is debatable, and I am sure every viewer will have his/her own choice and list. All I can
consider while penning this list is my little bit of understanding of cinema, and preferences.
Whats great about this year is the appreciation achieved by small budget Indies which are strong in
content and have successfully mesmerized the audience. Except for My Name Is Khan and Dabangg
(neither of which finds a place in my list), most of the hits are small budget sensible stuffs.
Another great aspect is the advent of new directors. There have been a host of new brains
including the years biggest hit Dabangg. In fact, 8 out of 10 films in my list are my debutante
makers, which is a huge inspiration for aspiring film-makers.
Lets start from the bottom (if that would be the right way to say it):
10. KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK
Ad-film maker turned feature director Vijay Lalwani brought out an interesting premise in his debut
attempt. Also the writer of the same, he presented his psychological thriller in very much a
commercial manner. The schizophrenic come dual personality movie starring Farhan Akhtar and
Deepika Padukone boasted of a nice album, taut screenplay and a great twist at the end. Though it
has nothing very striking, KCK deserves its position plain because of its treatment of the subject.
7. PEEPLI LIVE
Bollylands ace actor Aamir Khan continues in his endeavour to produce sensible films, from his own
directed Taare Zameen Par to his wife Kiran Raos Dhobi Ghaat, with reporter turned film-maker
Anusha Rizvis Peepli Live in the middle. The official entry from India to the Academy Awards,
Peepli Live is a satirical tale about the efforts of media to cover a farmers story who has expressed
his desire to die so that his family can get the compensation. Based on a novel premise, the film pulls
off the satire as intended and makes a mockery of the entire system. The only drawback for the film
is its pace, which gets too slow despite a total running time of 1hr 40mins.
6. Do Dooni Chaar
Walt Disney decided to present this Arindam Chwdhury production, helmed another debutante
director Habib Faisals Do Dooni Chaar. The film follows the great Indian family dream, the hum do
humare do ka sapna, owning a vehicle. With identifiable characters, ordinary locales, simple and
appealing story, Do Dooni Chaar narrates a heart-warming tale of Duggal family (helmed by
yesteryear superstars Rishi & Neetu Kapoor) and their quest to possess their own car. Though a
couple of scenes may go overboard, what works for the film is that it keeps you smiling throughout.
Surely the best family film since Khosla ka Ghosla, DDC is real India picturised.
4. GUZAARISH
Ace director Sanjay Leela Bhansali returned to the celluloid 3 years with his magnum opus starring
Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. The plight of a star magician turned quadriplegic Ethan
Masceranas and his request to die in dignity formed the core of the story. With a serious premise in
hand, the director ably balanced the same with humorous moments with witty dialogues and
soothing songs. The only drawback was the melodramatisation of few sequences which made a
mockery of the intelligence it had shown in other scenes. Though not his best, but SLB had surely
regained himself post the overtly indulgent Saawariya. What worked magically for the film were the
performances. Hrithik Roshan as Ethan is extra-ordinary as the helpless man fighting for his death.
Despite her hideous look, Aishwarya comes back to form after a long time in this film as the nurse
who has given up everything to be with her patient whom she secretly loves. Others including
Shernaz Patel and Aditya Roy Kapur excel in their roles.
3. ISHQIYA
Delectable performances by the 3 central characters transported Ishqiya from another goon story to
a cult. Excellently written and directed by Vishal Bharadwaj protg newbie Abhishek Chaubey, the
film balanced beautifully between suspense, love, humor and betrayal. Basking in the glory of her
success in Paa, Vidya delivered another remarkable performance as the manipulative Krishnaji who
seduces two small time crooks played by Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah. Another aspect that
added to the films credit is no-nonsense portrayal of the lives in a UP village and a goons family.
With great music by Vishal Bharadwaj himself, the film oozed a lot of promise for its actors as well as
maker.
1. UDAAN
Lilting poetry, great story, fine acting and an urge to break free were a few aspects that made this
film special. An assistant director to SLB as well as Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane
presented a great story about a dysfunctional family; a young teenager, who is abused by his father
who has remarried and his relationship with his kid stepbrother. Another modest budget feature,
Udaan was the first Indian film in 7 years to be selected at Cannes Film Festival, after Murli Nair's
Malayalam film 'Arimpara' in 2003. Like any other good film, Udaan also boasts of superlative
performances from little Aayan Boradia, television actors Ram Kapoor and Ronit Roy, and the main
protagonist Rajat Barmecha. Whats special about Udaan is its writing; the film is packed with scenes
which stir you, move you and overwhelm you. Vikram Motwane surely has a long way to go.
Two films which I havent seen and hence couldnt fit anywhere are Phas Gaye Re Obama and Mirch.
Both have received their share of success and I am sure they have enough reasons to.