Silver Scroll: Relooking at Some Anmol Ratans

“The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.” - Oscar Wilde.

The Bollywood industry has contributed brilliant movies to the world of cinema. While lead actors exclusively advantage and dwell in luxurious fame, some of the greatest working artists, who are mostly seen in supporting roles are perpetually overlooked. Let's take some time and look at some of these underrated side-actors who are on their way to wider recognition, and applaud their incredible endeavours!

Sanjay Mishra - Masaan

As someone whose filmography boasts of comedic roles, Sanjay Mishra proves his versatility with his class act in Masaan. His promising and realistic portrayal of Vidyadhar as a father who accepts cruel fate while simmering with hate is brilliant and endearing. He brings authenticity to the story and delivers with finesse, such that his grief makes you sit up and weep with him. His ability to bring the small-town character to sparkling life sharpens a deeper understanding of the character. There is grief, bravery and anger - just in the right amount for us to savour.

Seema Pahwa - Bareilly ki Barfi

Seema Pahwa knows how to bring fore the essence of a traditional small-town conservative mother, sticking to her ideologies and fighting with the changing values of the society. The realistic and unapologetic rendition of Bitti's mom with witty one-liners won our hearts and had us asking for more. Her strong and effortless performance has won her acceptance from the young content-driven audience. It is intimidating to work beside actors like Pankaj Tripathi and Rajkummar Rao but Pahwa keeps you invested in her character throughout.

Vijay Raaz - Monsoon Wedding

We have all seen Vijay Raaz being a loud-mouthed, pan-chewing character cracking

jokes around with that animated face, a reflection of that one innately comical yet discerning person we know. But it is in Monsoon Wedding that Parbatlal Kanhaiyalal Dubey’s sly ministrations of love with Alice while being the ‘Dubey Ji’ of the big fat wedding, stands apart for us. Hurling abuses, slurping chai and ordering around with that rexine man purse, Raaz’s gift to fit perfectly into the mould of the North-Indian archetype makes a warm, funny place in your heart and stays blissfully there.

Kirti Kulhari - Pink

Kirti Kulhari's enigmatic persona in Pink as Falak Ali, an ordinary independent working woman who struggles to survive in a twisted male-dominated world is not to be missed at all. She is a full entertainment package that keeps us gripped from all sides with her powerful emotions and tremendous courage in the courtroom scene that will send a shiver down your spine. She aces the contemporary female character and brings out the disturbing reality of patriarchal prejudices with high moral equity.

Naman Jain - Bombay Talkies

While Bombay Talkies was all about the complexities of human emotions and fine storytelling, it is in Zoya Akhtar's Sheila ki Jawaani that Naman Jain as the fascinated, filmy kid shines best. With the most layered story in the anthology, Vicky’s infatuation with the silver screen and his dreams of becoming a dancer while his father wants him to do something ‘appropriate’ for a boy makes him an absolute delight to watch. While the movie could not do much justice to its unique concept, we cannot help but root for this Bambi-eyed kid.

Paoli Dam - Bulbbul

Paoli Dam, known for portraying headstrong characters on screen, does more than impress as Binodini in the movie, Bulbbul. The multi-dimensional character comes off as evil at first glance, but is actually ‘tragic’ and represents the women in the society who succumb to patriarchy. Although she was underutilised, Dam’s phenomenal role is heart-wrenching and powerful, especially in a subtle scene where Binodini keeps saying “Chup rehna” to Bulbbul as if in a trance. That’s when it dawns on us that, perhaps this woman is also a victim to Thakur household’s atrocities. Chills! Literal chills!

Saurabh Shukla - Barfi

We all know about the amazing acting Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra have done in Barfi. But a performance that often gets ignored is by Saurabh Shukla. Playing an enigmatic police officer, Shukla’s character feels friendly yet intimidating at the same time. The nuances of this performance have been carried out so effectively that the audience does not know whether to hate or love Sudhanshu Dutta. Just like any other role in Barfi – it is not an easy one, but Shukla’s effortless mastery over dialogue and emotion do justice to this obscure part.

Sayani Gupta - Article 15

There is no doubt that despite Ayushmann Khurrana’s amazing role, Article 15 was what it was because of its supporting cast. In one scene, where Gaura, played by none other than Sayani Gupta, breaks down holding Jatav, we heard our hearts shatter as well. Gupta, who time and again manages to pull a fantastic job, intimates so much just through her eyes and ‘de-glam’ look. The energy that she brings to the character of a Dalit woman who is a victim of social injustice, is something real - something that we all look for in a cinematic experience.

Deepak Dobriyal - Tanu Weds Manu

“And are you Salman Khan that you have commitment issues?” We wonder if Tanu Weds Manu would have been the same without our beloved Pappi aka Deepak Dobriyal! Apart from being a gem of an actor, his mere presence throughout the movie is like a breath of fresh air. Dobriyal’s spot-on comic timing added a punch to the screenplay and is bound to stir up a laughter riot. With his brilliant expressions, irresistible charisma, and of course, those hilarious punchlines, he deserves our heartfelt appreciation and all the limelight in the room.