Bollywood Movie Music Success in First Half of the Year 2014

Mumbai, 29 June-2014(Indilens Web Team): The first half of 2014 has been a mixed bag in terms of cinema. While there were the predictable hits and misses, there were certain films and performances which left us pleasantly surprised. Some were new talents, some were known faces who took the brave step to re-invent. Have a look.

Bollywood Movie Music Success in First Half of the Year 2014

Nobody could predict that a film with no big star could become an overnight success. But ‘Queen’ with Kangana Ranaut in the lead broke all notions about women centric films not doing well at the Box Office. With a coming of age story, brilliant performances and simplicity, Vikas Bahl’s ‘Queen’ connected with almost every age. Kangana Ranaut once again proved that if she is given a meaty role, she alone can take the film forward.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

While Kangana Ranaut’s acting prowess is known- she has already won a National Award, it was model turned actress Lisa Haydon who took everyone by surprise with her performance as the sassy Vijayalakshmi in ‘Queen’. This is one actress we absolutely underestimated when she had made her debut in 2010 in ‘Aisha’.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

While it was anticipated that ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ would be a power packed film just like its prequel ‘Ishqiya’, no one could imagine that it would end so beautifully and so differently. For us, its the story of ‘Dedh Ishqiya’, written by Darab Farooqui, that was top notch.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

Divya Kumar’s directorial debut ‘Yaariyan’ may have lacked a proper story line but its music became an instant hit specially among the youth. Head to any dance floor in the country, you are bound to dance to Honey Singh’s ‘Blue Hai Paani’. A gamut of composers like Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Mithoon, Pritam Chakraborty, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Anupam Amod managed to make this one a musical hit.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

Soumik Sen managed a casting coup of sorts when he cast old rivals Juhi Chawla and Madhuri Dixit in ‘Gulaab Gang’ together. While Madhuri played the protagonist, Juhi did her first negative role. The story may have had loopholes, but Juhi’s performance stood out as she played the shrewd politician to perfection. Pity she didn’t have a strong script to back her performance.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

A stark contrast from her character in ‘Student Of The Year’, Alia Bhatt went de-glam in ‘Highway’. Director Imtiaz Ali manage to extract the best out of the actress putting her in the top spot.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

Director Rajat Kapoor’s gentle narrative, enhanced by an ensemble cast that delivers natural performances and actor Sanjay Mishra’s restraint performance makes ‘Ankhon Dekhi’ a film worth watching. It may not have big stars but the film won us over with its simplicity.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

Tiger Shroff was butt of all jokes prior to the release of his debut film ‘Heropanti’. But the young actor managed to shut his critics up with a skilfull performance and awe inspiring dance moves. This is one guy to watch out for.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

It took the producers of ‘Filmistaan’ two long years to find a distributor to release the film which won National Award for the Best Hindi film in 2012. But we are simply glad that the film finally got a commercial release because otherwise we would have missed out on a gem of a story like this and also never got to know the talents of the two lead actors Sharib Hashmi and Inaamulhaq.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

Take a bow Riteish Deshmukh. From dressing in drag in every other comedy film to playing the psychotic serial killer in ‘Ek Villain’ you have come a long way.

Bollywood's mid-year report card 2014: Actors, films, music that took us by surprise

Let’s hope more director like Mohit Suri cast this actor with immense potential in more serious films from now on.