There is a horde of actors who play supporting roles to the protagonists and succeed in giving the film a new lease of life and credibility. It has been proven time and again that at times the actors even in minuscule roles can steal the limelight from the main players. Imagine what would have Devdas been without Madhuri Dixit, Sholay without Sanjeev Kumar or Dil toh paagal hai without Karisma Kapoor!
This year too saw a lot of actors put their best foot forward in supporting yet vital roles. Here are 2015’s top 16 actors in a supporting role.
Neeraj Kabi- Detective Byomkesh Bakshy
Portraying the role of Dr. Anukul Guha in Dibakar Banerrjee's Detective Byomkesh Bakshy would seem to be an arduous task for many, but for this fine actor, fitting into the shoes of an antagonist in the movie was a cakewalk. The way he carried out the expressions, the dialogue delivery, and everything else was loved by all. In short, Kabi possessed with all the perfect ingredients needed to make a very fine villain!
Irrfan Khan - Piku
Essaying the role of a cab agency owner, Irrfan Khan easily managed to look irritated as well as patient with the constipation-obsessed Bhaskar Chatterjee aka Amitabh Bachchan. Khan suited the role as he understood Piku aka Deepika Padukone and also her father whose life revolved around the bowel movement.
Huma Qureshi - Badlapur
Essaying the role of a sex worker, Huma aka Jhimli was apt to fit into the shoes of a loyal lover to the antagonist, Nawazuddin Siddiqui aka Laik. The woman effortlessly managed to look hot and sultry at the same time in her powerful role.
Revathi- Margarita with a straw
Portraying the right emotions of a mother to a teenage daughter suffering from cerebral palsy is no doddle for all. Margarita with a straw saw actress Revathi beautifully deal with her special child and also deal with the latter's teenage issues as she discovers her sexuality.
Deepak Dobriyal - Tanu Weds Manu Returns
This one actor solely managed to make the audiences laugh throughout the movie. Pappi aka Deepak essayed the role of R. Madhavan’s friend cum guide cum philosopher cum agony aunt seamlessly in the movie.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui - Bajrangi Bhaijaan
It takes a lot of talent and fine acting skills to share almost the equal appreciation as the hero in any Salman Khan starrer. Essaying the role of Chand Nawab, Nawazuddin Siddiqui like always managed to seamlessly essay the role of a Pakistani reporter. He played a staunch supporter of Bajrangi aka Salman in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, while on the latter's journey to Pakistan to reunite Munni with her parents.
Zeeshan Ayub- Phantom, Tanu weds Manu Returns
This year the actor was appreciated for his roles in Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Phantom. He had essayed the role of an helpless admirer, Advocate Arun Kumar Singh aka Chintuji who willingly falls into the beauty trap of Kangana in TWMR and that of a RAW officer Samit, in Phantom. Ayub, this year was showered with a lot of compliments for his performances in both the movies.
Shefali Shah - Dil Dhadakne Do
Portraying the role of a mother to Ranveer and Priyanka at a young age, is not a cakewalk for all. But this lady very well carried of the role of an unhappy wife to Anil Kapoor, an irritated mom to two adults and a wannabe high class socialite in Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do.
Anil Kapoor- Dil Dhadakne Do
Lara Dutta- Singh is Bling
Playing the role of a translator to Akshay Kumar aka Raftaar Singh and his love interest, Amy Jackson aka Sara, Lara Dutta added the much fun filled element to the movie. This was her first movie after her sabbatical she had taken to parent her little Saira.
Jackie Shroff- Brothers
Pankaj Kapoor-Shaandaar
Though the movie bombed at the box office, there was one character in the movie that turned out to be a positive point for Vikas Bahl's Shaandaar; that of Pankaj Kapur. Essaying the role of a doting and possessive father to Alia Bhatt, Pankaj Kapur seemed apt for the role. His overall performance yet again proved that he is an all-rounder performer and can do justice to any role given to him, be that of a serious Abbaji in Maqbool or of Bipin Arora in Shaandaar.
Shabana Azmi-Jazbaa
Shabana Azmi displays a powerful act as the victim's daughter in her fight against lawyer Anuradha Verma aka Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Jazbaa.
Tanvi Azmi- Bajirao Mastani
It takes a lot of sacrifices for an actor to do justice to his/her role. To essay a strong role of Radhabai, Peshwa Bajirao's mother, Tanvi Azmi willingly went completely bald for Bajirao Mastani. Radhabai aka Azmi was a staunch support to her ‘sunbai’ Kashibai aka Priyanka Chopra when the latter faced lows in her life with her husband Bajirao falling for Mastani.
