Whenever awards are discussed, the names of the usual suspects crop up -- Bacchan, Mohan Lal, Kamal, Mamooty etc.
But it is a pity that hardly a thought is given to the fact that none of these guys are today great actors. They were good or even great actors a long long time ago. Today they are mere stars/ Or at best great "heroes". The acting bit has been foreshadowed by their star value. In fact, like Open magazine put it very succinctly recently, Amithabh Bacchan is not even a star today. He is merely a brand.
Actors evolve. They do not get stuck in any particular style or aura. They ought to be chameleons.
Take these examples for example: Among foreign actors -- Marlon Brando, Robert De Neiro, Al Pacino. Among Indian actors - Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Utpal Dutt, Thilakan.
You wouldn't find them stuck in past glory or technique, unable to explore new grounds.
The likes of Bacchan, Kamal, Lal etc have completely lost the spark of their earlier years.
For example, if you watch Bacchan's "Saudagar" -- made in the late 1970s -- with any of his latest blockbusters, you wouldn't find an iota of difference in his technique or style. Take Kamal straight out of "Varumayin Niram Sikappu" and put him in "Virumaandi" and you wouldn't be changing anything.
Their learning curves have plateaued.
It is no consolation to cite their old age in such discussions. I wouldn'
Re: Fancy
by Harish Menon on Oct 26, 2010 11:52 AM
It is no consolation to cite their old age in such discussions. I wouldn't eat a 3-month old piece of cake just because it tasted fantastic back then.
Part of the fault lies with us, the audience.
We remember their best and want them to remain so. We do not like them experimenting with new roles and characters.
Indian cinematic viewing is largely based on spoon-fed ideas. We hardly like thinking too much about a movie.
So it is with our actors... I mean stars! Pity, because that's a hell of a lot of talent going down the award drain!
Re: Re: Fancy
by Akshay Kumar on Oct 26, 2010 12:09 PM
I think u haven't seen any Malayalam movies (worth watching) in the recent past. Like Mohanlal's Bhramaram, Mammootty's Pazhassiraja, Loud Speaker, Paleri Manikyam and the latest Pranchiyettan-The saint. These exceptional films (not for the mass or fans who always want to see Mammootty and Mohanlal as Super human heroes).
Re: Re: Re: Fancy
by Harish Menon on Oct 26, 2010 12:21 PM
There is another thing I will have to state here... In Malayalam Mammootty today comes across as marginally better than Mohan Lal. From being a complete no no for comedy, he has come to a stage where he single-handedly was reponsible for the success of the comedy film Rajamanikyam -- and he did a fantastic job there, I must say.
Re: Re: Re: Fancy
by Harish Menon on Oct 26, 2010 12:16 PM
Lets see...
Of the films you have cited, I have watched:
1. Bhramaram, 2. Pazhassiraja 3. Paleri Manikyam
And nowhere in these movies do the acting talent of the performers come across as "great" or "different".
They were all decent movies purely because of the script and storyline. In fact, if you ask me "Bhramaram" was a good attempt gone bad in execution. Director Blessy has an unnecessary obsession with pathos and melodrama. And add to that Mohan Lal's inflexibility and a dragging script, the whole drama of the story is revealed mid-way through. (Psst... Blessy fails badly as a wannabe Padmarajan).
Mamooty did a decent job Pazhassiraja and Paleri Manikkam, I agree.
Yet, he was not great in either of the movies. Dunnow if you have read the book by T P Rajeevan. If you have, you will realise that Mamooty doesn;t stand out even half as much as the real Muringachuvattil Ahmed Haji.
Re: Fancy
by Yatin Shirali on Oct 26, 2010 12:16 PM
Please dont get frustrated because your favourite actor did not get any award this year. There's always next time dear.
Re: Re: Fancy
by Harish Menon on Oct 26, 2010 12:18 PM
Well, my all time favourite actors, be it Uttam Kumar or Balraj Sahni or Oduvil Unnikrishnan or Nagesh, don;t stand a chance at the awards today. They are dead and gone... :D :D :D
Re: This time amitab not deserve award
by Harish Menon on Oct 26, 2010 11:57 AM
I completely, whole-heartedly agree.
They ciete Agneepath as an example of Bacchan's "great" acting. Boy oh boy... what pathetic judgement.
I don't know how many of you have watched the malayalam movie Perumthacchan -- the story of a legendary stone-smith from Kerala. Perumthacchan lead character, Thilakan, was Bacchhan's competitor for the award that year.
It is a telling commentary on the idea of national awards that Bacchan was chosen t=over Thilakan that year.
Re: Re: This time amitab not deserve award
by Yatin Shirali on Oct 26, 2010 12:17 PM
Please dont get frustrated because your favourite actor did not get any award this year. There's always next time dear.
Though i am hard core fan of Rajini,I really dont miss Kamal also..He has won 3 times for Moondram pirai,Nayagan and Indian..What a great actor he is?All the above films are different characters,stories but Kamal excelled in all means.He is the master class.Nobody can challenge him in acting..As a Tamilian,he makes me feel proud.Still going strong even at the age of 56..50 years in cinema !!Pl name any person in the Indian film industry who has crossed 50 years but still in the Best actor /hero catagory.Amazing !!Rajini is in my heart and Kamal is in my mind.
Re: Dont forget Kamal
by priyabrata tripathy on Oct 26, 2010 11:37 AM
Mr. Dilip Kumar and Mr. Amitabh Bachhan. I have equal respect for Kamal Hassan. I am a fan of Rajani as far his humility in real life goes, but his acting skill is below his fame.
Re: Re: Dont forget Kamal
by VENKATESAN GURUSWAMY on Oct 26, 2010 11:43 AM
I dont agree with you.Becos Amitabh have not crossed 50 years in Indian cinema.dilip kumar when did he start his acting ?Is he now acting?Rajinis acting skills have been proved so many times.Its not just his humility alone makes a person become a fan of him.I think u are comparing him with other actors.He is unique..Dont compare Rajini with any other actor.How many films of him u have seen so far?Dont count his masala films .He has already acted in so many films with good stories.
Re: Re: Dont forget Kamal
by VENKATESAN GURUSWAMY on Oct 26, 2010 11:48 AM
They are good actors.No doubt.But my question here is who else other than Kamal has crossed 50 years in cinema ?I dont think so.That too he was and is the hero of all the films since 1972 !!38 years as hero.Pl tell me now
Big B..such a gud personality and now even in this age he is still hot in terms of acting and can beat any star in Indian Cinema. Surely there are good directors in Indian Cinema. ALL IS WELL.
Re: Great person
by Kenneth Anderson on Oct 26, 2010 11:49 AM
"can beat any star in Indian Cinema".....Mammooty, Mohanlal, Kamal..Think Amitabh can beat them???
i am no south indian, but i have studied cinema. let me tell you how far better actors are mohanlal and mammooty of kerala, kamalahasan of tamilnadu. But amitabh, who can act only 3 different kinds of roles gets award for everything he does. in fact he can only act 3 roles..in paa it was just the make up alone..
Re: why amitabh always?
by pravin angolkar on Oct 26, 2010 10:45 AM
Jess i feel really pity for you, you still dont know the magic called Big B. And you reminds me of a FROG, who has a complex of superioty of his surroundings and himself. Get life men (Frog)
Re: why amitabh always?
by umakant on Oct 26, 2010 10:20 AM
boss if not u...i m south indian & i know the caliber of south actors but in this term AB is baap of all. When u r 60 and doing a role of 13 isnt it challenging? if u hav a guts do atleast a single scene of film. forget about makeup...it is not alone which makes difference.
Re: why amitabh always?
by slogan on Oct 26, 2010 11:37 AM
yes Consequently last 3 year we are giving best actor same peson. is it possible other not doing well?
Re: why amitabh always?
by greeny kumar on Oct 26, 2010 09:21 AM
Just shut up. Appreciate the effots taken by him for portraying the role. Greatest actor.
Re: Get ur facts rite
by Rahul Balan on Oct 26, 2010 07:22 AM
get ur facts rite babe!!!
he meant best actor award....(3 times)...first one was a special award for some goddamn reason which is yet 2 b explained for his first film saath hindustaani...believe me...each time he won best actor award....a huge controversy also followed questioning the authenticity of his award.
Re: Re: Get ur facts rite
by priyabrata tripathy on Oct 26, 2010 11:40 AM
The controversy is because, why the hell the jury is giving the award to aright person!!!
