Best performances 2018 (Telugu): A Thread. Chronological.
Anushka—#Bhaagamathie.
Chanchala needed a performance that depicts strength while still leaving space for vulnerability, and Anushka gave it her best. Not to forget the formidable titular character.
Chanchala needed a performance that depicts strength while still leaving space for vulnerability, and Anushka gave it her best. Not to forget the formidable titular character.
Nithya Menon—#Awe.
A character that comes and goes, but stays with you throughout the film. The attitude. The boldness. The empathy. Don’t know how Nitya pulled it off with such ease considering the utter lack of reference points. 🙏🏽
A character that comes and goes, but stays with you throughout the film. The attitude. The boldness. The empathy. Don’t know how Nitya pulled it off with such ease considering the utter lack of reference points. 🙏🏽
Regina Cassandra—Awe.
So, I wasn’t completely sold on the cornrows—no need to look edgy when you actually are, but she played this woman who is being haunted both by her own conscience and an otherworldly presence with great finesse. Her eyes are damn expressive.
So, I wasn’t completely sold on the cornrows—no need to look edgy when you actually are, but she played this woman who is being haunted both by her own conscience and an otherworldly presence with great finesse. Her eyes are damn expressive.
Sri Vishnu—Needi Naadi Oke Katha.
Never really experienced the funny side of this man. So was pleasantly taken aback by the awkward-humour he managed to elicit.
Never really experienced the funny side of this man. So was pleasantly taken aback by the awkward-humour he managed to elicit.
Ram Charan—#Rangasthalam.
It was a tough character to break into. A deaf man who hates using his disability as a crutch. A silly man who is forced to act on behalf of his brother. Ram Charan lent this character honesty and heart it needed.
It was a tough character to break into. A deaf man who hates using his disability as a crutch. A silly man who is forced to act on behalf of his brother. Ram Charan lent this character honesty and heart it needed.
Anasuya—#Rangasthalam.
To play a women much older than her age is a common thing in TFI, but to do so when you are in your prime is gutsy. She lives her part and looks curtly at the camera even when it tries to objectify her.
To play a women much older than her age is a common thing in TFI, but to do so when you are in your prime is gutsy. She lives her part and looks curtly at the camera even when it tries to objectify her.
Keerthi Suresh—#Mahanati.
It’s never easy to play an addict. To get the weakness and helplessness right. More so when she has to falter a certain way as it’s based on a legend. Keerthi made Savitri and her plight accessible.
It’s never easy to play an addict. To get the weakness and helplessness right. More so when she has to falter a certain way as it’s based on a legend. Keerthi made Savitri and her plight accessible.
Dulqer Salman—#Mahanati.
I’m partial to this man, but it’s rather apparent the humanity he brought to the character. Maybe that’s the problem some had. Ganesan wasn’t a great man and Dulqer’s innate charm made it hard to see that. But that’s probably on the script.
I’m partial to this man, but it’s rather apparent the humanity he brought to the character. Maybe that’s the problem some had. Ganesan wasn’t a great man and Dulqer’s innate charm made it hard to see that. But that’s probably on the script.
Naresh—#Sammohanam.
Most of what made this film fun is this middle aged man who loves cinema more than most of us. The way he tries to observe a film set like a child and the way he breaks when his scenes get cut. Great performance.
Most of what made this film fun is this middle aged man who loves cinema more than most of us. The way he tries to observe a film set like a child and the way he breaks when his scenes get cut. Great performance.
Abhinav Gomatam—Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi.
The freshness he brought to an otherwise tired production is great relief. Superb comic timing as well.
The freshness he brought to an otherwise tired production is great relief. Superb comic timing as well.
Rao Ramesh—#RX100.
A great actor stuck in a not-so-great film will still give his best and so did he. He was amazing as the father in conflict. The scenes where he is supposed to be ashamed by his daughter were quite powerfully enacted.
A great actor stuck in a not-so-great film will still give his best and so did he. He was amazing as the father in conflict. The scenes where he is supposed to be ashamed by his daughter were quite powerfully enacted.
Ruhani Sharma—#ChiLaSow.
One of the best female performances of this year, imo. The casual air she brings to the character while still making sure that we can see the weight she is silently crushing under. All this from a debutante. 😘
One of the best female performances of this year, imo. The casual air she brings to the character while still making sure that we can see the weight she is silently crushing under. All this from a debutante. 😘
Rohini—#ChiLaSow.
Always a great actor, but she finally got an opportunity to showcase her intensity and her ability to internalize in a Telugu film and boy does she deliver. That Ida-esque scene still haunts me.
Always a great actor, but she finally got an opportunity to showcase her intensity and her ability to internalize in a Telugu film and boy does she deliver. That Ida-esque scene still haunts me.
Rahul Ramakrishna—#ChiLaSow.
Again. I’m partial toward this man, but such a great little cameo. He plays this definitely-not-good-but-is-he-bad cop superbly. Also, this character has all the potential to have a film of his own.
Again. I’m partial toward this man, but such a great little cameo. He plays this definitely-not-good-but-is-he-bad cop superbly. Also, this character has all the potential to have a film of his own.
Every single person—#CareofKancharapalem.
I know some had more to do than others, but they all shined beautifully. Especially Subba Rao, Praveena, and Kishore.
I know some had more to do than others, but they all shined beautifully. Especially Subba Rao, Praveena, and Kishore.
Mohan Bhagat—#CareofKancharapalem and #Manu.
For me, he is the breakthrough actor of the year. To have portrayed two different men in two movies that released on the same day, whose appearances are similar and still not feel repetitive is a big deal for a young talent.
For me, he is the breakthrough actor of the year. To have portrayed two different men in two movies that released on the same day, whose appearances are similar and still not feel repetitive is a big deal for a young talent.
Chandhini—#Manu.
Unlike the male protagonist, Chandini had to be emotionally available throughout the film coz we understand the graph of the film through her. She was impressive as an introverted, enigmatic woman in love and, eventually, in pain.
Unlike the male protagonist, Chandini had to be emotionally available throughout the film coz we understand the graph of the film through her. She was impressive as an introverted, enigmatic woman in love and, eventually, in pain.
Samantha—#UTurn.
Even though her limitations are well apparent, her honesty/dedication comes through in everything she does. Her performance was particularly impressive when she comes face to face with Bhumika for the first time.
Even though her limitations are well apparent, her honesty/dedication comes through in everything she does. Her performance was particularly impressive when she comes face to face with Bhumika for the first time.
Jagapathi Babu—#Rangasthalam and #AravindaSametha.
How can you not admire a man who plays the same guy every single time, but still finds a way to do it differently? A perfect actor for the script-lethargy of our industry.
How can you not admire a man who plays the same guy every single time, but still finds a way to do it differently? A perfect actor for the script-lethargy of our industry.
woman*. 🙈
