'Black' - filmmakers' favorite in 2005 - Part II

  • IndiaGlitz, [Monday,January 02 2006]

Actor Anupam Kher:

1. "Iqbal": It was unusual and spirited.

2. "Salaam Namaste": Terrific treatment and frothy.

3. "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara": Unusual gutsy, it revived Gandhism to an extent.

Film producer Pritish Nandy, who picked up "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi", "Parineeta" and "Iqbal", says: "They represent the very best of Bollywood cinema which has matured well beyond its cliches."

Director Apoorva Lakhia:

1. "Sarkar": The silences spoke louder than words. Both Amit ji and AB Jr. (Abhishek Bachchan) left their star status behind to get into character completely.

2. "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi": Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan proved they're stars. Paisa vasool.

3. "Black": Rani (Rani Mukerji) ruled with Amit ji and showed us what acting is all about. Ravi Chandran's camera lit up the frames.

Director David Dhawan:

1. "Black": Sheer brilliance and what performances by Amit ji, Rani and the child (Ayesha Kapoor).

2. "Iqbal": A simple story well told.

3. "Page 3": Madhur Bhandarkar is a talented director. I could identify with all the characters in his film.

Actor Anil Kapoor:

1. "No Entry": A perfect example of a mainstream commercial film... clean family entertainer with no double-meaning lines or obscene visuals.

2. "My Wife's Murder": Brilliantly acted (Anil Kapoor played the lead) and directed... Minimum budget but technically still brilliant."

3. "Black": Brilliant in all departments.

Director Sanjay Gupta:

1. "Sarkar": For Amit Roy's superlative photography.

2. "Parineeta": For Vidya Balan's superlative debut.

3. "Black": For Rasool Pookutty's incredible sound design.

Filmmaker Rakeysh Mehra

1. "Iqbal": It was simple and original.

2. "Sarkar": The performances were outstanding.

3. "No Entry"

Actress Shabana Azmi:

1. "Paheli": Quintessentially Indian and very charming.

2. "Black": Beautifully mounted and superbly enacted. Important landmark in mainstream cinema.

3. "Iqbal": Heartwarming and exhilarating.

For actor R. Madhavan its only "Black", he says: "I can't think beyond this film."

Where as director Ram Gopal Varma says: "'James', 'Neal 'N' Nikki', and 'Home Delivery' are my three favorite films of the year because they're intellectually stimulating, rich in subtext and very, very thought enhancing."