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
Image: Hrithik Roshan in KitesAs 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
Image: Madhuri Dixit in Aaja NachleExcitement 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
Image: Shah Rukh Khan in Don 2Ranbir Kapoor, Saawariya
Image: Ranbir Kapoor in SaawariyaBarely 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
Image: Rani Mukerji in Dil Bole HadippaYou 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?
Image: Priyanka Chopra in 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
Image: Akshay Kumar in TashanKareena 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
Image: Movie poster of U Me Aur HumIf 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
Image: Irrfan Khan in Dil KabaddiOnce 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
Image: Amitabh Bachchan in RannHe'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.
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