best actors 1

Any attempt to list the ten best film actors in India is always going to be a difficult task as anything connected with arts could be quite subjective. To make things easier I have gone for two lists- one on the finest actors among the heroes having star appeal and the second ones on character actors who have sometimes donned hero’s costume. If I try to make one list then it could be a mix of these two lists, which I think is not fair. I know even such lists will not be complete as I’m not familiar with all regional language films. My knowledge is limited to some parallel films I have seen in some regional languages.

I’ve mainly considered the actor’s ability to do various roles with different emotions, particularly tragic and comic characters.

So here goes my first list of best actors with star appeal

1. Dilip Kumar, 2. Amitabh Bachchan 3. Mohanlal 4. Kamal Hassan 5. Sanjeev Kumar 6.Mammootty 7.Sivaji Ganeshan 8.Soumitra Chatterjee 9. Aamir Khan 10. Mithun Chakraborty

I haven’t seen many films of Dilip Kumar. But what I have seen is sufficient to put him in the top of the list. Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, all bear testimony to his acting prowess. He is mighty good in comic roles too.

A man who broke into the filmdom with an angry young man image then performed comic roles with inimitable flair, Amitabh Bachchan continues to surprise me. Even at this age, he is able to enact an award winning role in Paa. A stupendous feat in itself

A consummate actor who made the audience forget his unconventional looks on the strength of his performance. I think nobody has performed the common man as well as he did. From villain to anti-hero to comedy to super human roles, he has done all with panache. One wishes that he is more judicious in the selection of roles these days.

Initially, Kamal Hassan had lot of mannerisms, which he shed gradually when he began to experiment with different roles. He might be the only actor in Indian films who has donned such variety of make-ups. Dwarf, woman, old man are just a few in the list.

Sanjeev Kumar, another fine actor, who could have continued for some more years, had he taken care of his body. Unfortunately, he is remembered for his roles in blockbusters like Sholay and Trishul. Just look at his portrayal in Koshish, Khilona, Andhi, Mausam to get an idea of his talent. The plum role in Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ki Khiladi was like a jewel in the crown of his career.

Mammootty has won critical acclaim for serious and powerful roles. A recipient of Bharat awards several times, Mammooty’s talent in comedy was suspect. But not anymore. He has proved that he is as good as anyone with his recent performances in films like Rajamanikkyam and Pranchiettan.

Sivaji Ganeshan should have been higher up in the list had he been born outside Tamil Nadu. Though his histrionic abilities were never in doubt, they were wasted in melodramatic Tamil films, where he often went over the top. You have to watch Thevar Magan and Mudal Maryaadai which came in the fag end of his career to guage his prodigious talent.

I have seen Soumitra Chatterjee only in Satyajit Ray’s films. That the great Ray had faith in his acting is enough to put him in my list. Apu Trilogy, Charulata, Aranyer Din Ratri, Sonar Kella,….the list is long. He has done different roles superbly under Ray’s guidance.

Pint-sized Aamir would never have been in my list had he quit acting in the late nineties. His best roles came in the last ten years or so. The phase starting with Sarfarosh. Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, Mangal Pandey, Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, Gajini, Three Idiots. Certainly, an anvious line of films and roles. Among the three khans he is the best and he has certainly matured as an actor.

Anybody who could act in scores of trash commercial films and then come out and do the characters in Swami Vivekananda, Agneepath, Guru etc. deserves to be in my list. Mithun Chakraborty had a glorious start to his career with national award winning performance in Bengali film Mrigaya. After his stint in commercial films , he again won national award for Bengali movie Tahader Katha. Only a good actor can do it.

Await my second list !!!!