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When FAB actors starred in DRAB films!
When it comes to movies, best and worst share the space all the time.
Like, often a moviegoer steps out of the hall feeling a mix of approval and dissent. It could be attributed to the possibility that he or she may have loved a certain actor's work but hated the film itself.
Last Friday witnessed the release of Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine. While most reviews criticized Bhandarkar for repeating himself, everyone unanimously praised Kareena Kapoor's powerful portrayal of a waning star.
Read the reviews here and here.
Here are some other recent instances of terrific acting let down by shoddy filmmaking
Hrithik Roshan, Kites
As someone who is thoroughly committed towards his craft, Hrithik Roshan rarely gives reason to complain. All the more in an ambitious project designed to showcase his global appeal.
But, whether it was due to his filmmaker dad Rakesh Roshan's overzealousness or director Anurag Basu's inadequacies, all that effort got thrown away with Kites.
Read the review here.
Madhuri Dixit, Aaja Nachle
Excitement came in heaps for Madhuri Dixit's comeback in a Yash Raj musical. It didn't last too long though after Anil Mehta's inarguably dreary Aaja Nachle hit the screens.
While Mads was reliably fabulous, Aaja Nachle failed to be a film worthy of her return.
Read the review here.
Shah Rukh Khan, Don 2
If Don was about living up to the expectations; Don 2 had a lot more freedom at hand.
If on one hand, SRK made optimum use of it to play deliciously wicked, Farhan Akhtar botched things up by his glaring lack of imagination and originality.
Read the reviews here and here.
Ranbir Kapoor, Saawariya
Barely nine films and two special appearances old, Ranbir Kapoor is already among one of the best actors of India today.
But one already knew this despite a disastrous debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.
While Saawariya went on to become a subject of never-ending ridicule, RK 4.0 proved his mettle as the chip of the old block and garnered accolades for his faultless performance.
Read the review here.
Rani Mukerji, Dil Bole Hadippa
You almost feel sorry for Rani Mukerji in Anurag Singh's Dil Bole Hadippa.
The actress puts in visible effort to impress viewers with her double antics as a feisty Sardar boy and sparkling Punjabi girl in script that's too daft to contain it all.
Read the review here.
Priyanka Chopra, What's Your Raashee?
After spoiling us with back to back treats like Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar leaves a sour taste in our mouth with his adaptation of Madhu Rye's Kimball Ravenswood.
His leading lady Priyanka Chopra gamely plays 12 different girls belonging to 12 different zodiac signs with amazing spontaneity and pizzazz but What's Your Raashee? is simply too long and boring to endure.
Read the review here.
Akshay Kumar, Tashan
Kareena Kapoor's size zero bikini act is the best-remembered aspect of the super silly Tashan.
Yet the only time Tashan truly turns memorable is when Akshay Kumar's boorish Bachchan Pandey shows up to steal the scene.
Read the review here.
Kajol, U Me Aur Hum
If ever one compiles a list of Bollywood's most natural actresses, no prizes for guessing who would make it to the top.
Kajol conveys a lost and lovely woman with such heartfelt conviction in her husband Ajay Devgn's directorial debut; you almost want to forget just how dull and sappy this labored drama is.
Read the review here.
Irrfan Khan, Dil Kabaddi
Once a brilliant actor always a brilliant actor.
True to his nature, Irrfan Khan produces some hilarious results playing Soha Ali Khan's significant other, Payal Rohatgi's love interest and a incorrigible womaniser in this desi rip-off of Woody Allen's Husband and Wives.
Read the review here.
Amitabh Bachchan, Rann
He's been around long enough to give a credible performance even in his sleep.
While Ram Gopal Varma's Rann drew a lot of flak for its flimsy take on the business of breaking news, Big B stands out in its only best scene lending with his trademark poise and charisma.
Read the review here.