After the overwhelming response to Top Male Performances in 1st half of 2012, we are back with the list compiling the Top Female Performances in 1st half of 2012. Bollywood Hungama's Nikhil Ramsubramaniam looks at back at those leading ladies who stood out with their fine performances in the first half of this year. Read on…
Note: This list is in no particular order and includes performances from films released between Jan 1 and June 30.
Priyanka Chopra in Agneepath
Despite being a male-dominated action vendetta film, Priyanka Chopra managed to make her mark in Agneepath. The actress completely got into the skin of the character of Kaali- a lower class Maharashtrian mulgi who stands as Hrithik's pillar of strength. The actress also shared sizzling chemistry with Hrithik with whom she would be once again seen in Krrish 3. Here is a performance that PC can be proud of despite it not being an author-backed role.
Kareena Kapoor in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
After not having much to do in blockbusters like Bodyguard and Ra.One, Kareena Kapoor finally got a performance oriented role in the rom-com Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (EMAET). As the free-spirited Riana Briganza, Bebo displayed a rare freshness and that magical spark which was last seen in Jab We Met was visible here again. In some ways, Riana was like a modern-day urban version of Geet. Imran and Bebo also made for a rather unconventional yet cute pair and the film emerged a success at the B.O.
Vidya Balan in Kahaani
It wouldn't be wrong to state that the only competition Vidya Balan currently has is with herself. Each year this powerhouse of talent is surpassing her own standards. If last year she had us going Ooh La La with her Silk act inThe Dirty Picture, this year she stunned everyone with her portrayal of Vidya Bagchi in Sujoy Ghosh's fantastic thriller Kahaani. With no other big names in the cast, Vidya carried the film on her shoulders proving that she is the 'Hero' among the Heroines in Bollywood. Surely this one is a front-runner to bag all the Best Actress awards next year.
Parineeti Chopra in Ishaqzaade
With her very first film Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl, pint-sized dynamite Parineeti Chopra showed what she is capable of bagging all the Best Debutant awards. In her second film Ishaqzaade, Parineeti was the main female lead and yet again delivered a solid performance as the feisty Zoya. The actress showed her mettle in some high-voltage emotional scenes and shared superb chemistry with co-star Arjun Kapoor. Here is one actress who is sure to go a long way in Bollywood.
Kalki Koechlin in Shanghai
Kalki has always been known for her intense performances be it in Dev D or Shaitan. In Shanghai, she once again showed her acting prowess playing the role of the at times vulnerable and at times resilient Shalini. Despite being pitted against powerful performers like Abhay Deol, Emraan Hashmi and Prosenjit, Kalki managed to stand out conveying more through her eyes than through the spoken word. Surely a performance that deserves a mention at least in the Top Female Performances of the year so far.
Richa Chadda in Gangs Of Wasseypur
One film old Richa Chadda was the stand-out Womaniya in a male-dominated film like Gangs Of Wasseypur. As the feisty wife of Sardar Khan (Manoj Bajpayee), Richa displayed a rare aggression particularly in the sequence when she catches her husband cheating on her red-handed. Most of her dialogues received tremendous applause from the public proving yet again that it's not just the size of the role but the impact the role has which matters. Looking forward to see this firebrand actress in Gangs of Wasseypur- 2 and Tamanchey where she stars opposite Nikhil Dwivedi.
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