The Best 10 Films of Bollywood: 2009

While the world is compiling a Best of the Decade list, I think I’ll stick to a regular yearly roster. Because the decade gets over next year and releasing a premature list means excluding a few gems that we may or may not see in 2010.

Before you scroll down to the bottom of the page to find out which film tops this year’s Bollywood sweepstakes, I’ll reveal the suspense here itself. There isn’t a single film I could find worthy of being called the ‘Best Film of the Year’. So I have kept the top spot vacant. I present only nine films ranging from the 2nd best to the 10th best in ascending order.

We often see disclaimers mentioning how views expressed in the article are those of the author alone and are not necessarily subscribed to by the publication. I’d pretty much say the same thing for this piece. Big films like Kaminay and Love, Aaj Kal don’t merit a mention because I didn’t find them to be good enough. And a few niche films are in unmindful of their box office gains.
A couple of films that just missed out on tie-breakers: Luck-By-Chance, an impressive debut for Zoya Akhtar (to say nothing of Farhan) and Blue (don’t ask me why, I am allowed one indulgence).

#10: Paa
Maybe it is because we are so used to seeing Amitabh Bachchan with his trademark beard and a full shock of hair. Maybe it is because we are so used to hearing his baritone. Or maybe because it simply was a good performance. Whatever it was, Amitabh had us hooked as the progeria patient. The film could have been better, but even as such it deserves a mention.

#9: Kurbaan
Is it coincidence that Yashraj and Dharma Productions have released two films in the same year on the same theme? A Muslim infiltrates a terrorist group on the cusp of a major operation. While I didn’t care much for New York, Kurbaan impressed me with its restraint. It never got tacky or preachy unlike most film of this type. One of the many triumphant directorial debuts of the year.

#8: Dev.D
It may not have been entirely successful, yet Dev.D ought to be remembered as a landmark film. Anurag Kashyap, takes on a story that has already been filmed to death in Indian cinema and adds an edgy feel to it. A constant background score, psychedelic colours and a hero that not only hits the bottle but also snorts coke. That’s when he is not smoking. The end was a bit too pat and seemed like a desperate attempt to veer away from what the audience is expecting. Yet the overall impact was palpable.

#7: 3 Idiots
The most popular film of the year, it wasn’t without its shortcomings. But no one can deny its immense entertainment value. A few years ago, it was Shah Rukh Khan and Diwali that went hand in hand. Now it’s Christmas and an Aamir Khan release that have become synonymous. A few months from now, expect the team behind this film to line up at all and sundry award functions.

#6: Wake Up Sid
A compedium of classy acting and measured direction by debutant Ayan Mukherji. A coming-of-maturity tale of an aimless college failure who has everything money can buy. A good supporting cast can take a film beyond mediocrity. Here’s proof.

#5: Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year
You may well call Ranbir Kapoor the actor of the year. As the idealistic greenhorn in the seldom filmed world of door-to-door salesmen, he plays a sardar without making him a caricature. It is the third time this year he had us floored by bringing alive his character. It is also a third strike for director Shimit Amit.

#4: Wanted
Serious cinema lovers often dismiss Salman Khan as an actor who acts as if he is doing the audience a favour. Arrogant and totally unconcerned about getting into the skin of the character, Wanted has him playing a goonda who would epitomize his natural (in)ability. And the result is unadulterated fun, even if you aren’t a Salmanbhai fan. After a long time I found a line worth repeating, “Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di, to main apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta!”

#3: Gulaal
Gritty, gritty film on politics set in interior Rajashthan. Performances were realistic, dialogue pithy and the direction controlled. Also it had the most underrated soundtrack of the year.

#2: 99
The wittiest film of the year with smashing performances all around (except Soha Ali Khan). Even minor characters have been given droll one-liners. There have been a few attempts at cashing in on the cricket betting controversy but none as successful as this one.