2009 end round up - Top 10 actors

As 2009 comes to an end, there are some definitive performances that tower above the rest. Amitabh Bachchan reinvented in PAA, Ranbir Kapoor coming of age in ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR, Salman Khan bringing back 'masala' with a vengeance, Priyanka Chopra willing to experiment in WHAT'S YOUR RAASHEE? - majority of actors demonstrated that they could so something out of the box. Here's presenting the list of 10 actors (in alphabetical order) who made their mark over the months gone by.Note: With 3 IDIOTS round the corner, one can well expect Aamir Khan to find his way at the very top of the list.Abhay Deol (Dev D)Abhay Deol has made sure that after DEV D, he has finally carved an independent market for himself. Just like there are independent directors and producers, Abhay is the only actor in the industry today who is again being a non-conformist but is now (finally) gaining good recognition coming his way. MANORAMA - SIX FEET UNDER, EK CHALIS KI LAST LOCAL, OYE LUCKY LUCKY OYE and now DEV D - this guy certainly knows that even without serenading heroines around the trees or bashing 10 goons at a time, he can still find an audience for himself! Amitabh Bachchan (PAA)Time and again Amitabh Bachchan has proved that he is not going anywhere. For someone who has been trapped in his own image for three decades, he has to constantly prove a point that he is also an actor and not just a hero. He has done that to a good extent even in flops like RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG and ALADIN where he dared to experiment. However, when he does a PAA, recognition and an all around acceptance does come his way. This was truly one of the most shocking, lovable and heart warming performance of the year (infact of his career).John Abraham (NEW YORK)John Abraham can finally do away with his trunks and ignore coming out of the sea and show his body beautiful for next few years. The acting potential in him was finally been tapped, as evidenced by the career best performance that he delivered in NEW YORK. Watch out for the scenes in the detention centre or the film's climax; they are surely going to bring a lump in your throat.Kareena Kapoor (KURBAAN)KURBAAN was told through Kareena's eyes and one could evidence a mix of love, shock, helplessness, despair, disgust and horror in every alternate scene. The structuring of each and every scene was handled quite carefully as well, hence keeping the suspense element on while ensuring that the audiences stayed with Kareena throughout. (JAIL)Through sheer body language and mannerisms, Neil gave an excellent account of himself even as he didn't have to mouth too many dialogues. He depicted varied emotions from being subdued to getting sudden bouts of aggression to helplessness to loosing all hopes and then the final redemption. With JAIL, he is bound to be taken far more seriously as an actor as he surpasses his effort from JOHNNY GADDAAR and NEW YORK.Neil Nitin MukeshPriyanka Chopra (WHAT'S YOUR RAASHEE?, KAMINEY)Priyanka did it all by playing a wannabe NRI to a wannabe model to an imposing super business woman to a sexed up 'sadhvi'. Still, she took audiences along who were interested in knowing who's the next to follow. After FASHION, Priyanka came up with a performance that deserves an award of the highest order.Ranbir Kapoor (WAKE UP SID, ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR, AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI)Next time when a star son gets an opportunity to get an author backed role, let's not complain. That's because if he actually goes on to come up with as flawless an act as seen in his three films that released in the last quarter of 2009, there is no reason why one should really be looking around for anyone else. Ranbir's strength lies in coming up with a neat, simple and a truly believable performance sans any heroism involved. When most actors would have been happy to establish their standing in Bollywood with a quintessential romantic hero role, Ranbir went on to do WAKE UP SID and ROCKET SINGH... where he was anything but a hero.Saif Ali Khan (LOVE AAJ KAL, KURBAAN)Saif, who has been quite reliable for last 7-8 years at least, played three completely diverse characters in LOVE AAJ KAL (triple role) and KURBAAN. In the industry for a decade and a half, Saif is willing to experiment and that shows in the kind of range he is showing as an actor today.Salman Khan (WANTED, LONDON DREAMS)One may argue if WANTED was Salman's career best performance ever (his ANDAZ APNA APNA, HUM AAPKE HAI KAUN, MAINE PYAAR KIYA, KARAN ARJUN have been masterpieces after all). Still, on this side of the century, WANTED was one film where Salman went all out in at least 'being interested' in the film. At least he wasn't bored, he didn't take his stardom for granted, wasn't careless about his looks and most importantly didn't let his own self come in the way of director's vision.Shahid Kapoor (KAMINEY)It is going to be quite a predicament for the awards organizers early next year. They would have to nominate Shahid Kapoor in different categories for the same film. One would be for the 'Best Actor' and another would be for 'Best Actor in a Negative Role'. The young man, who was doing 'aaja ve maahi let's do balle balle' till a few years back got into some serious 'wham-bang' mode with KAMINEY where he played the two roles. He dared to pick a subject which would have looked impossible to execute when read on paper. There are men like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Salman Khan already sitting at the top. Now add Shahid Kapoor to the list. After KAMINEY, audiences would be expecting a moon from him in each of his outing.