5. Naseeruddin Shah – Sparsh
Naseeruddin Shah belongs to the crop of legendary actors who came to the scene during the art movement in Indian cinema. A legendary versatile actor who has made a mark in Hollywood too, Naseeruddin Shah deserved to win an Oscar for the 1980 movie, Sparsh (Touch). Shah played the character of a visually impaired principal who falls in love with a spirited teacher (Shabana Azmi) with gusto and vigor.
4. Nutan – Bandini
This masterful performance by Nutan of a broken young woman who murders the wife of her lover in Bimal Roy’s classic movie Bandini is considered as one of the best acting performances by a lead actress in Indian cinema. Nutan portrayed a range of emotions and character depths here without resorting ever to over-the-top dramatics. The pièce de résistance of the movie is the scene where her face conveys conflicting sentiments as she is about to commit the murder. That scene alone was enough to get her the Oscar trophy that year. I challenge you to find an expression played with such beauty and intensity anywhere in the world.
3. Balraj Sahini – Garam Hava
In a year when the Best Actor category of the Oscars was witnessing its toughest competition yet for the coveted trophy with Jack Lemmon, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino already locking horns with each other, the best performance was actually given across the seven seas in India by Balraj Sahini in the film Garam Hava. The movie pioneered the parallel cinema movement in India which laid the foundation of legendary actors, directors and other artists to make their mark in cinema and was also the official entry for India in the Best Foreign Movie category. But it was actually Balraj Sahini who deserved the award for his role of Salim Mirza; a man migrated to India during the partition.
2. Kamal Hassan – Nayakan
The last and one of the only two actors from non-Hindi cinema on this list, Kamal Hassan can be considered as Daniel Day-Lewis of Indian cinema. He can play any role with perfection. His entire cinematic career deserves an Oscar because of the hard work he puts in his each and every role he plays. Words haven’t been invented yet to praise this man. Of all the films he could have got an Oscar for, Nayakan (The Hero) was his best chance which should have been considered by the Academy. In this Godfather-inspired movie, Haasan plays Velu, combination of Vito and Michael Corleone and boy, does he nail it.
1. Nargis – Mother India
In a list with only three actresses out of 15 spots, it is quite ironical that the top place is held by an actress. And I bet no one will disagree with me on this one. Mother India was a landmark movie for India when it released back in 1957. The movie was a worldwide phenomenon that taught the world how to make a perfect tragedy drama. And at the center of it was Nargis Dutt. Playing the role of a struggling mother of two, Nargis gave us something extraordinary that is yet to be bettered by any other actress in India. This extra-ordinary performance is the best India has ever seen and it truly deserved an Oscar at the 1958 ceremony.
