These are my top 5 films of 2004 a little late but better late than never. my choices are mine and I am very proud of them. So lets begin the countdown.
Dev This was a really good cop movie exploring the double standards of the police force in communal riots. The film had some outstanding communal riot scenes which were very well executed. The film was serious, in its tone and hard hitting. The performances by Amitabh Bachchan and Om Puri as expected were very good and they different ideologies provided an interesting conflict. The surprise element was Kareena Kapoor who gave a good performance as Muslim girl who gets caught up in the riots, and was outstanding in the riot scene and her scene with Big B. The last time she was this good was in Refugee as a Muslim girl. Coincidentally sister Karisma also excelled at playing Muslim characters in Fiza and Zubeida. Fardeen Khan was ok. Overall a very good film.
Musafir This film was an out an out entertainer. With plenty of thrills and good music to keep you glued to your seat. The film was style with substance. The film had some very good twists and was better than your average bollywood movie. Performances by Anil Kapoor and Sameera Reddy were good but it was Sanjay Dutt that stole the show with his witty one liners. Also watch out for Mahesh Manjekar and Aditya Pancholi who are also good in their roles. Sameera and koena mitra look ?sizzling hot?. This is a very entertaining film with a fast pace. The music was one of the best. This is one of my best movies of last year and unlike some people I am not ashamed to admit it.
3.Hum Tum This was a very light hearted romantic film. This film was highly enjoyable and has great repeat watching value. Rani Mukhergi and Saif Ali Khan played they parts well (Albeit not award deserving) and made a fresh on screen couple. Kiron Kher as Rani’s mum is hilarious. Also watch out for cameos from Rishi kapoor, Jimmy Shergil, Rati Agnihotri and Abishek Batchan. The film has catchy music with only 4 songs and not too many like most bollywood films to distract from a nice story. An easy watch.
Ek Hasina Thi. This film is an excellent example of good direction and excellent acting. The story revolves around Urmilla an innocent girl who is deceived by Saif’s slimy and charming character. She is wrongly imprisoned. How she takes revenge off Saif provides the crux of the story and has you gripped right till the end. The film is fast paced and its short duration (less than 2 hrs) helps. Urmilla Matonkar gives her best performance to date better than Bhoot and Pinjar, an award deserving performance without a doubt. Her transformation from an innocent girl to a hardened avenger is excellent. Saif Ali Khan in a negative role is also surprisingly excellent (also career best). The supporting cast Seema Biswas as the cop and the woman who plays prima are also great in their roles. This is RGV at their best and with a new director at the helm the film still delivers a powerful punch. Well worth watching.
Phir Milenge Surprised! You shouldn?t be this is an excellent film dealing with a subject that is new for Indian cinema HIV/ Aids. The film narrative is well focused and well directed. This is a very emotional, sensitive and moving film. The film revolves around Shilpa?s (Tamana) character and how she unfairly dismissed from her job because she is diagnosed HIV positive. However Tamana does not give up hope and fights her wrongdoers with the help of her lawyer AbisheK Bachchan. The film ends on an optimistic note. The film succeeds as you emphasise with the lead characters trauma and how she battles against all the odds. Shilpa Shetty proves she is a capable actress with this film. She gives a performance which deserves awards and accolades. She is the first mainstream actress to play a HIV character and she does an excellent job. I think Urmila and Shilpa were robbed of the best actress award this year as they truly gave award-deserving performances. Abhishek Bachchan is also brilliant as her lawyer. With this film and Yuva he’s growing into a very good actor. Salman Khan as the catalyst of the film is also effective in a small role but significant role. The supporting cast are fresh and not known faces but play their parts well. Music is good with jeene ke isharee being an underrated gem. Like the two films mentioned above (EHT and H-T) this film also has a shorter running time than your usual bollywood film and it works in its favour. However maximum credit must go to Revathy the director, this was a brave attempt dealing with a daring subject, she does not disappoint and does a wonderful job. If you have not seen this film this is definitely worth watching for lovers of good cinema.
The films that missed the boat but were still good:
Khakee (had to make a choice between two cop film, Dev was the better choice for me although Big B was equally good in both.) Yuva, Dhoom, Fida, and Dewaar. (In that order)
On other films. MSK AND Hulchul were good time pass comedies but nothing to boast about.
Veer Zaara (girls may love it) and Main Hoon Na- overrated but ultimately average. Other average films: **Aitraaz, Rakht and Dil ne jise apna kaha. Lakshaya? had an impressive first half but the second half reminded me of that awful excuse for a film ?LOC?. Hrithik Roshan was good though. Big B was wasted.
Swades- Lagaan was v.good but Swades in one word ?boring?. Kyon ho gaya na ? avoidable Worst film of the year Rudraksh I have heard Maqbool (loved Macbeth) and Ab tak chappan are v.good films with top class performances but because I have not seen them I cannot comment on them or include them in my list. For people who do not agree with my choices ?each to their own?** This is my first review on MS any comments most welcome.