2018 was a great year for films. Besides money spinners, there was some exceptional talent on screen, especially when it came to female actors. A number of them impressed in the roles they portrayed; some as the backbones of films and some, who got more acclaim than the main leads.
Here’s listing some exceptional actresses in the supporting category that should be in the running for this year’s awards.
RECOMMENDED READ: PeepingMoon2018: The best male supporting actors-the backbone of their films!
Sonam Kapoor – PadMan
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Sonam Kapoor in PadMan[/caption]
Sonam had a terrific year. Not only did she marry businessman Anand Ahuja in a lavish ceremony, but she was also seen in three films that were box-office hits – PadMan, Sanju and Veere Di Wedding. We’d like to pick her performance in PadManover the other two. Starring alongside Akshay Kumar in the film, she lit up the screen with her presence. Though she was not the main lead, she held an integral and pivotal part, doing full justice to it. Her candor in this small but significant role was one of the highlights of the film.
Shikha Talsania – Veere Di Wedding
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Shikha Talsania in Veere Di Wedding[/caption]
Shikha might have been the lesser known actress in this chick-flick but she overpowered the other more popular actresses like Kareena Kapoor-Khan, Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhasker with her performance. The film might have brought in the money at the box-office but was generally panned for portraying a misconstrued version of female empowerment and feminism. The only believable and relatable character was Shikha’s and she did a great job of keeping the audience’s faith with her nuanced performance.
Swara Bhasker – Veere Di Wedding
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Swara Bhasker in Veere Di Wedding[/caption]
Swara must have breathed a sigh of relief when she got to play her character in Veere Di Wedding. It was a welcome change from the largely hardcore and less glamorous roles she portrays. Leave aside the masturbation scene and the number of expletives she used, Swara did a good job in the film.
Neena Gupta – Badhaai Ho
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Neena Gupta in Badhaai Ho[/caption]
This was a curious case indeed. Technically, Neena had a supporting role in the film but emerged as the mainstay. There was a fine line between whether she was the main lead or the supporting actress... However, she won hands down and left her younger competitors far behind with her nuanced performance in the film. It is hard to believe that such a fine actress actually had to ask for work recently.
Sanya Malhotra – Badhaai Ho
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Sanya Malhotra in Badhaai Ho[/caption]
Sanya had a rocking year indeed. She is no longer the Dangalgirl and impressed everyone with her performance in Badhaai Ho and Pataakha. However, as we said earlier, in Badhaai Ho there was no clear demarcation of who the main lead or who the supporting actress was. Keeping in mind that Sanya’s role was smaller than Neena’s, she might as well be in this category. Sanya comes as a breath of fresh air and the sole voice of reason in the film, right from the start. Her screen presence was impressive indeed.
Surekha Sikri – Badhaai Ho
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Surekha Sikri in Badhaai Ho[/caption]
There is no doubt that SurekhaSikri is an actor par excellence. She might be the eldest on the list but is probably the most deserving of this title. Her performance stayed with you even when the film was over. You couldn’t help but stand and cheer for her in the scene where she gave everyone a piece of her mind and stood up for her daughter-in-law and son. We hope we get to see more of her on the big screen in diverse and challenging roles, rather than being typecast in the ‘khadoos dadi’ roles she was doing on television.
Amruta Khanvilkar – Raazi
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Amruta Khanvilkar in Raazi[/caption]
Amruta’s performance was so flawless that she managed to make an impact in a female-oriented film. Playing Alia Bhatt’s sister-in-law Munira in Raazi, Amruta managed to steal the show in scenes where she was seen in a poised and elegant performance.
Tabu – AndhaDhun
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Tabu in AndhaDhun[/caption]
Tabu is a phenomenal actress, period. Even if she stars in just a handful of films, she manages to ensure that she does a fabulous job. In AndhaDhunTabu steals the show and gives AyushmannKhurrana a tough fight in emerging as the hero of the film.
Aditi Rao Hydari – Padmaavat
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Aditi Rao Hydari in Padmaavat[/caption]
Sanjay LeelaBhansali’s Padmaavat might have got the three main protagonists (Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh) all the limelight…yet Aditi also managed to make an impact in the film. Playing Mehrunissa, Khilji’s queen she arguably has a cameo role. However, she managed to portray the fearless queen who is so in love with her man that she would go to any lengths to ensure he was saved from ruin and destruction.
Gitanjali Rao – October
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Gitanjali Rao in October[/caption]
Shoojit Sircar’s film October not only launched Banita Sandhu but also had an equally enigmatic debut by Gitanjali Rao, who played her mother. Gitanjali’s portrayal of the anguished mother who must come to terms with her daughter’s illness is what stayed with you long after the film was over.
Geetanjali Thapa – Bioscopewala
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Gitanjali Thapa in Bioscopewala[/caption]
Geetanjali played the role of Minnie Basu (the girl child from the Tagore classic who befriends the original Kabuliwala) who befriends Danny Denzongpa, who played the role of Bioscopewala. The film was highly underrated but Geetanjali’s performance had a lasting impact.
Anushka Sharma – Sanju
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Anushka Sharma in Sanju[/caption]
Anushka was the surprise element in RajkumarHirani’s Sanju, the biopic on Sanjay Dutt. She played the biographer whom the actor narrates his life story to. She did a great job of matching up to Ranbir Kapoor’s acting prowess and managed to hold her own well.
Dia Mirza – Sanju
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Dia Mirza in Sanju[/caption]
Dia Mirza played the role of Sanjay Dutt’s third and current wife, MaanyataDutt in this film. She managed to portray Maanyata’s tenacity, strong character and the anchor that Sanjay needed in his life, effortlessly.
Who do you think deserves the laurels?
