And the Awards for the BEST OF THE BEST goes to...

And the Awards for the BEST OF THE BEST goes to...

Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

Best Movie/Director [Winner: A WEDNESDAY (Neeraj Pandey), Runners Up: ROCK ON (Abhishek Kapoor)]

A WEDNESDAY clearly stands as THE most topical movie of 2008. When half a dozen movies with terrorism as its theme (MISSION ISTANBUL, CONTRACT, BLACK and WHITE etc.) were released in the year gone by, the only movie which actually spoke from the point of view of a common man was A WEDNESDAY. Director Neeraj Pandey didn't get into pseudo intellectual talks about how a terrorist is born or proposed a solution. He plain and simple raised the voice of a common man and asked a question - 'How should a man on the street react with all the bombs and bullets around him?'

Best Actor [Winner: Naseeruddin Shah (A WEDNESDAY), Runners Up: Shah Rukh Khan (RNBDJ)]

Naseer's act in A WEDNESDAY was THE performance of the year, especially so in the age and times that we live! As a 'stupid common man', Naseeruddin Shah was simply brilliant and outstanding as he came up with a performance that would resonate for years in the minds of cine goers. While many actors of his age and caliber have been settling down for something far inferior, Naseeruddin Shah continues to find roles of substance that makes one stand up and question once again that why don't film makers think of utilizing him in a bigger and better way more often? If he doesn't win a National Award for this film, no one else would be deserving enough. Period!

Best Actress [Winner: Priyanka Chopra (FASHION, DOSTANA), Runners Up: Genelia D'Souza (JAANE TU YA JAANE NAA)]

With as many as six flops behind her - SALAAM E ISHQ, BIG BROTHER, LOVE STORY 2050, CHAMKU, DRONA, GOD TUSSI GREAT HO - any other actress would have just given up. But not Priyanka Chopra who just looked at FASHION and DOSTANA as the opportunities that could bring her back into the reckoning. While most of her flops were long in the making, she concentrated completely on these two films which promised to present in a different light altogether. She impressed in a big way, whether it was acting (FASHION) or looking beautiful (DOSTANA)!

Best Male Debut [Winner: Farhan Akhtar (ROCK ON), Runners Up: Imran Khan (JTYJN)]

This was THE most surprising performance of the year gone by. Till a day before the release of the film, there were no talks about ROCK ON or it's actors even though Farhan Akhtar was making his acting and singing debut. However, the industry was forced to stand up and take notice of this immensely talented youngster. 'Being natural' was the key phrase as Farhan used all his weaknesses to his advantage and came up with one of the most remembered performances of the year.

Best Female Debut [Winner: Anushka (RNBDJ), Runners Up: Asin (Ghajini)]

It is not every day that one sees a debutant leading lady being offered an author backed role in a commercial Yash Raj film outing where she is seen in almost every frame of the film. This way Anushka Sharma was really lucky since she didn't just get an opportunity to be a part of a film which told a new story and allowed her to display her acting talent; it also made her stand next to Shah Rukh Khan in almost every scene. Anushka grabbed the opportunity provided to her with both hands and went all out in coming up with a sparkling act.

Best Supporting Actor [Winner: Jimmy Sheirgill (A WEDNESDAY), Runners Up: Arjun Rampal (ROCK ON)]

One of the most under rated actor in Bollywood today, Jimmy Sheirgill finally had his golden moment after being in the industry for more than 13 years. Playing a character who bears an 'I care a damn' attitude while still being positive and enthused about his job, Jimmy Sheirgill is now the only angry-young-chocolate-boy-cop around in Bollywood. Films like MY NAME IS KHAN and SHOEBITE should gain him further visibility in 2009!

Best Supporting Actress [Winner: Ratna Pathak Shah (JTYJN), Runners Up: Shahana Goswami (ROCK ON)]

'Phone Par Beta Phone Par' - This single most dialogue would go down as the best ever that one heard in the entire 2008! She was such a welcome relief over cariacaturish mothers that Bollywood flicks feature movie after movie but in the new age JAANE TU YA JAANE NAA, Ratna Pathak Shah brought a different flavor altogether as a screen mom. Kudos to her! Now can we have some more from this 'Sarabhai' lady please?

Best Comedian [Winner: Tusshar Kapoor (GOLMAAL RETURNS), Runners Up: Arshad Warsi (GOLMAAL RETURNS)]

Tusshar Kapoor may just decide to go totally mute and wish that he was acting in the films of 20s and 30s, the era of silent movies. He was excellent (yet again) in this sequel to GOLMAAL and ensured that without speaking a single word, he still managed to bag all the awards. Finding his bearings as a comic hero, one just wishes that he continues in the same mode rather than attempting another SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA!

glamsham.com

To me these were the most deserving winners and the awards should also be like this..........