The hits and misses of 2005

A group of movie fans debate on the best and the worst in Bollywood this year.

Abdullah Mahmood is a movie buff. He does not miss a single Hindi film because in his own words "I can't afford to". That's passion. The dear man is happy he has a few likeminded souls in Dubai who share this passion for Hindi films. The group got together in phases over the past few weeks to discuss, debate and dish out the best and worst from Bollywood this year. Snippets from their sessions:

Abdullah Mahmood: The year is almost over and I am sure each one of you has your favourite film of this year.

Arundhati Kamal: Bunty Aur Babli was really entertaining in a realistic sense and the highlight was to see Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan together on the big screen for the first time.

Yusif Ismail: The only thing I liked about the movie was the Kajra-re number with Aishwarya Rai dancing along with the Bachchans. My favourite film of the year was Waqt.

Mahmood: Why Waqt? It was melodramatic.

Ismail: It had excellent performances by Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, a pleasing soundtrack, good comedy and most important, an original story highlighting good Indian values.

Rahul Kumar: Speaking of originality, I preferred Page 3, which was realistic as opposed to the hypocrisy and double standards that exist in the film industry.

Kamal: But these types of movies are disturbing and depressing.

Kumar: Not all films need to put a smile on your face. Thought provoking films are the need of the hour.

Amit Kapoor: In this respect, Black stands out for its strong subject, outstanding direction by Sanjay Leela Bansali and knock-out performances by Amitabh and Rani Mukherjee.

Mahmood: Did you miss the lack of songs in this film?

Kapoor: Thankfully, it was free from songs. Therefore, I could focus on the inspirational story about how one can fight against the odds to achieve anything. If anybody were interested in songs, Aashiq Banaya Aapne would be an ideal choice. There was nothing in the film but outstanding music.

Mahmood: I agree with you and, for that matter, Sarkar ? also without any songs ? packed in a lot punch.

Aliya Naser: True. In fact, it was difficult to gauge which of the two Bachchans [ Amitabh and Abhishek] performed better. But in my opinion, Parineeta was the best film of the year as it was a well-made period film with mature performances by Saif Ali Khan and debutant Vidya Balan.

Kaleem Syed: Actually, I prefer Saif's other release, Salaam Namaste, which provided a contemporary look at relationships.

Kamal: I stand by Parineeta. I didn't like the idea of Salaam Namaste promoting live-in relationships.

Syed: Live-in relationships are slowly becoming the norm. We have to accept it. Salaam Namaste showed the pros and cons of such relationships.

Mahmood: Hassan, what was your favourite movie of the year?

Tariq Juma Hassan: I really enjoyed No Entry and in fact, watched it four times. Garam Masala too, caught my fancy, thanks to Akshay's [Kumar] excellent comic timing!

Mahmood: But there have been complaints from certain people that movies like these encourage men to cheat on their wives.

Hassan: I don't think you need to take these movies seriously. They're meant to be enjoyed at face value. The masses seemed to love the movie.

Ismail: I would agree if people had a problem with Kya Kool Hai Hum, since some of the jokes left nothing to one's imagination.

Kapoor: To be honest, I enjoyed some of the jokes in the film when I watched it with my friends, but I would definitely not watch it with my family.

Mahmood: Any takers for Shah Rukh Khan's Paheli and Aamir Khan's Mangal Pandey?

Kumar: I think both films were a letdown!

Hassan: Paheli was a major disappointment. Mangal Pandey was a shade better.

Syed: I agree.

Naser: I don't. Paheli was definitely the better film and the very fact that it is India's official entry to the Oscars speaks volumes.

Kamal: I am surprised a film like Black was not chosen over Paheli.

Mahmood: The jury probably felt that Paheli, an original folktale film depicting the ethnic side of India, would appeal to the western world.

Kamal: I thought Parineeta had a lot of Oscar potential.

Mahmood: There's no use arguing, as we can come up with Dus Bahane (10 excuses, a track from the film Dus)!

Ismail: Dus Bahane! That's my favorite song of the year, followed by Kajra-re.

Syed: I thought Himesh Reshamiya was the voice of the year for Aashiq Banaya Aapne.

Kapoor: And who can forget Emraan Hashmi in Woh Lamhe from Zeher and Halka Halka from Chocolate.

Naser: Don't forget the dance tracks from Kaal. They were brilliant too.

Mahmood: Well let me call it quits by handing over the year 2005 to the Bachchans ( Waqt, Black, Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus) and Rani Mukherjee who ruled among the heroines. Comedy turned out to be the most loved genre of the year and Akshay Kumar got the maximum mileage there.

Kamal: You forgot Salman Khan in Lucky, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya and No Entry.

Hassan: And Kyon Ki!

Mahmood: Guys, Just Chill (a track from the film Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya).