That the audience and the media alike killed the movie even before its release has been and will always remain my bone of contention. Before the release, it was portrayed as a voyeuristic, Lolita-esque movie; and after, it was a slow, boring movie. Agreed, that cinematically, this one could have been a more fluidly made movie. But it was never, ever, given a fair judgment. It was analyzed for what it was supposed to be, but not for what it was. This is definitely a way above-average movie from Mr. Ram Gopal Varma. Thank you RGV—and thank you Hrishida for balancing a YAARANA with your BEMISAL and many alike before RGV. We –at least I—owe you one for capturing this incomparable actor in an outstanding performance. I rate this performance of his as THE best; better than SARKAR, KHAKEE, and all the other appreciated ones in his post KBC phase.

Mr. Spacey, you were wonderful in AMERICAN BEAUTY, but then, in 1999, NISHABDH wasn’t made yet, and Mr. Bachchan doesn’t act in Hollywood movies, and Hollywood (read the Oscars) didn’t know (want to?) know of an actor named Amitabh Bachchan from India. It still doesn’t recognize this non-English actor; and will probably never know what it is missing.

BOOM (2003)

I know I am going to face huge flak for considering this to be one of his under-rated ones. Say what you will about the movie, but do try to look at Mr. Bachchan’s performance objectively. I was shocked that on the first day of the movie release, there were countless ‘fans’ of Mr. Bachchan outside cinema theaters protesting against the fact that he was playing an offensive, profane character mouthing double entendre-ridden dialogues. And I couldn’t help but sigh thinking,’ Here’s another facet to this man’s acting portfolio that will never again be given a chance to be explored.’ Nevertheless, I saw the movie, and just loved his free-wheeling performance. And I just could not help but remember Mr. Naseeruddin Shah’s statement that the only actor in this world who is better than his movies is Mr. Bachchan. Seeing him play a psychotic retard was such a joy and he so successfully negated his suave and charismatic image of a learned, classy host on KBC with this portrayal. He played an offensive man to the hilt. He was crass and crude, just what the character expected him to be. Watch him read a comic book, lust after models, or ride a kiddies’ car with gay abandon, and you will just be repulsed by his character. But wasn’t that the point?

== Aneesh Joshi