Well, we have all been suitably mollified since hearing of Barfi! being nominated as India’s official entry to the Oscars next year. However, if you think about it, 2012 has been the year of offbeat films that have proved to be entertaining fare. Here’s a list of five movies we think were better nominations for the Oscars than Barfi! And yes, we’re limiting our list only to Bollywood films, just to show why Barfi! may not be the best film to go to the Oscars. 

The Dirty Picture – Ok, so it released at the end of 2011, but the entries were already closed when Vidya Balan took the country by storm with this role of a lifetime. Playing the late South siren Silk Smitha, the actress shed all her inhibitions and gave the performance of a lifetime. Supported by a strong cast (not counting Tusshar) and some serious dialoguebaazi, this movie gave us the eternal line – Entertainment, entertainment and entertainment. Surely you would believe that someone had seen the merit of this movie for the Oscars.

Paan Singh Tomar – Another biography, this real life story of a steeplechase runner with the Army turning into a feared dacoit with all the undertones of India’s vexed caste system would surely have stood a better chance at the Oscars we think. Add to that the presence of Irrfan, who is now known as “that guy who acted in The Amazing Spider-man would have helped too. We would’ve happily bet all our money on this one, given a chance.

Kahaani – Another Indian, no scratch that, Kolkata movie that took audiences completely by surprise with its nuanced plot and a climax that no one saw coming, Kahaani is easily one of the best films to have released this year. Add some brilliant camera-work and a wealth of actors in the supporting cast with Bob Biswas leading the pack to know why this movie would’ve scored over Barfi!

Vicky Donor – A small with the biggest heart of 2012, Vicky Donor was such a breath of fresh air that you would be hard pressed to think of the last movie that made you laugh and cry at the same time. At the same time, the movie also handled the sensitive issue of sperm donation with such elan that its merit cannot be proved by even the stuanchest Hollywood critic. It is sad to know that producers Eros International did not even consider sending this movie for consideration, as director Shoojit Sircar has alleged.

Gangs of Wasseypur – This one will probably earn some disgust from some readers but think about it. Here is a story that is very loosely based on the Godfather, has the guts and gumption to expose a seedy side of the country that the West loves about ‘Emerging India’, a pulsating score, references to Dany Boyle’s Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire with its focus on poverty and enough characters to keep everyone happy. If you edit the two parts by two hours and send it to the jurors, we see no reason why Gangs of Wassepur can’t bring in the Best Foreign Film Award for India.

barfi!, oscars, vidya balan, irrfan, gangs of wasseypur

Pattinson And Kristen Stewart.. The Indian Team Peaks

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