2015's Top 10 Performances by Actors (Male) in a Leading Role!

2015 saw some great performances in the lead role by our Bollywood stars. From Varun Dhawan’s transformation from a lover boy to an avenging violent man to Nawazuddin’s portrayal of a real life hero to a famous detective coming to life on the big screen thanks to Sushant, this year was the year of powerful performances by our male stars! Here is a list of Top 10 by actors (male) performances from 2015 in order of the film’s release dates -

1. Akshay Kumar in Baby

Akshay Kumar’s role as an undercover police officer on a top secret mission in Neeraj Pandey’s Baby won the heart of all with the seriousness of the role and the feeling of patriotism that this character’s heroic acts inspire in the audiences. Akshay was universally appreciated for his understated and subtle performance.

2. Varun Dhawan in Badlapur

Varun Dhawan’s transformation from a lover boy to a man avenging the death of his family in ways perhaps more violent and sneaky than the actual villain won him many accolades in Sriram Raghavan’s Badlapur. The fact that Varun could stand against the brilliant performance by Nawazuddin Siddique in the film showed just how much he has grown as an actor!

3. Sushant Singh Rajput in Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!

Sushant had a tough task ahead of him when he agreed to portray the role of one of Indian fiction’s most loved detective - Byomkesh Bakshy - but the actor surprised one and all with his gritty and powerful performance in this film by Dibakar Banerjee! From catching the delicate Bengali accent to nailing the look and feel of the character to making sure that the audiences did not see him as an actor playing a role but rather the role itself, Sushant excelled in and as Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!.

4. Amitabh Bachchan in Piku

Well admit it, had we missed this name you all would have screamed us down and for good reason - Amitabh Bachchan as Bhaskor Banerjee in Shoojit Sircar’s Piku is perhaps one of the loveliest roles the superstar has ever played! From catching the finer nuances of a Bengali gentleman to playing the quirks of his character in a way only he could, Amitabh wins hearts as the old but loveable even if sometimes cranky and unreasonable Bhaskor!

5. Ajay Devgn in Drishyam

The role of a protective husband and father trying to outdo the police and keeping his family safe was performed brilliantly by the actor in Nishikant Kamat’s Drishyam. Ajay played the character of a 4th standard failed cable operator, who proves that school education is not the only thing required to be smart, flawlessly.

6. Salman Khan in Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Salman Khan impressed all with his heartfelt portrayal of Pawan aka Bajrangi in Kabir Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The seemingly dimwitted simple man successfully bridged the gap between the people of India and Pakistan with his philosophy of love and friendship over everything else. 

7. Nawazuddin Siddique in Manjhi - The Mountain Man

Nawazuddin’s nuanced portrayal of a real life hero moved the audiences all over. The character’s sheer grit, determination and selfless love was portrayed beautifully and powerfully by the very talented Nawazuddin in this film by Ketan Mehta.

8. Ranbir Kapoor in Tamasha

Although the film did not do as well as expected, Ranbir’s performance as a man trying to figure out himself even as dons the garbs of fictional characters won him appreciation from all quarters. Ranbir played his role with an elán few could manage, giving the audience a glimpse into the complex mind of Ved.

9. Ranveer Singh in Bajirao Mastani

Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of Bajirao in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s historic epic was one of the most anticipated performances of the year and for good reason. Ranveer plays the heroic Bajirao with a flourish and impresses on and all with his portrayal of the Marathi peshwa! 

10. Shah Rukh Khan in Dilwale

The Badshah of Bollywood appeared on the big screen for the first time in 2015 in Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale. SRK’s role of a gangster who has turned away from the world of violence following certain events won over the fans! His chemistry with Kajol worked as the main charm for the film and made us realise exactly why SRK-Kajol together define love on screen.

Apart from the above mentioned performances, some others deserve a special mention - Amitabh Bachchan (Shamitabh), Salman Khan (Prem Ratan Dhan Payo), Irffan Khan (Piku, Talvar & Jazbaa), Ranbir Kapoor (Bombay Velvet), Ranveer Singh (Dil Dhadakne Do), Akshay Kumar (Brothers), Sidharth Malhotra (Brothers), Varun Dhawan (ABCD 2), Ayushmann Khurana (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), Dhanush (Shamitabh), Gulshan Devaiya (Hunterr) and Vicky Kaushal (Masaan). Nawazuddin Siddique also deserves a special mention for his amazing performance in Badlapur even though he played the antagonist in the movie.