#BingeRewind: Impactful performances of 2022 that left us impressed!

#LetsKetchup: As we reach the end of a perfectly cinematic year, let's look at all the impactful performances that touched us in 2022!

2022 was an exciting and interesting year for cinema. Film festivals abroad premiered many innovative and impressive movies. Many international movies like 'Decision to Leave' and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' were loved by the Indian audience back home. Here, challenging Bollywood's hegemony, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam movies gained popularity across the country. Movies like 'RRR' and 'Ponniyin Selvan-I' were the talk of the town. While Bollywood delivered many misfires, everyone cheered when it brought back the audience to the theatres. Meanwhile, OTT kept delivering hard-hitting movies along with fun content. What kept us glued to the screens were impactful performances we saw through the year!

Be it the lead or a supporting character, many actors gave their best this year and set the bar high for other actors and themselves. In 2022, female actors delivered some exceptional performances. For instance, Alia Bhatt took India by storm with her realistic acting in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' and Huma Qureshi stole the show with her bold portrayal of 'Ms. Monica Machado' in 'Monica, O My Darling'. Male actors were not far behind though! Vijay Varma made everyone hate him as the violent husband 'Hamza Shaikh' in Darlings while 'Rishab Shetty' moved us with his impactful performance as 'Shiva' in Kantara.

Also Read: #LetsKetchup: Songs of 2022 that totally summed up our feelings!

As we reach the end of a perfectly cinematic year, let's look at all the impactful performances that touched us in 2022.

Deepika Padukone - Gehraiyaan

Padukone authentically portrayed the anxious, struggling 'Alisha' and struck a chord with many women who could relate.

Alia Bhatt - Gangubai Kathiawadi

Bhatt carried 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' on her shoulders with her fierce and overpowering performance of a character as troubled yet spirited as 'Gangubai'.

Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, and Vijay Varma - Darlings

Bhatt authentically portrayed 'Badru', a bold character who takes revenge on her abusive husband and takes control of her life. Shah nails each character she plays just like her character 'Shamshu', Badru's mother. Varma, as the alcoholic and abusive husband, 'Hamza' really makes your skin crawl.

Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Tsu, and Ke Huy Quan - Everything Everywhere All at Once

Yeoh, Tsu, and Quan delivered excellence as 'Evelyn Quan Wang', 'Joy Wang', and 'Waymond Wang' respectively. While the script, dialogues, camera, and almost every other aspect of the movie were brilliant, the main cast's acting made the film successful.

Bhavin Rabari - Chhello Show

Rabari as 'Samay' was perhaps the best thing in our opinion about India's official entry to the Oscars- 'Chhello Show'. Rabari's effortlessly acting was emotional and soul-stirring.

Rishab Shetty - Kantara

While 'Kantara' is an overrated movie with an average plot, it made waves across the country with its unique theme and subject matter. Shetty delivered a powerful performance as Bhoot Kola performer 'Shiva', especially during the climax.

Shefali Shah - Doctor G

Every time we got impressed with the protagonist who did the bare minimum, Shah as 'Dr. Nandini Srivastav', gave us a powerful reminder that it is not enough. Shah has been on a streak and she was shining as Dr Srivastav too.

Sikander Kher, Huma Qureshi, Rajkummar Rao, and Radhika Apte - Monica, O My Darling

Perhaps the quirkiest movie that Netflix delivered this year, 'Monica, O My Darling' had a quirkier cast. Kher as 'Nishikant Adhikari', Qureshi as 'Monica Machado', Rao as 'Jayant Arkhedkar', and Apte as 'ACP Vijayashanti Naidu' were like the perfect pieces that completed a perfect puzzle.

Vikram - Ponniyin Selvan-I

While the entire ensemble cast of 'Ponniyin Selvan: I' was stellar, Vikram as the passionate and heartbroken 'Aditha Karikalan' stood out. His intense acting made you root for him even though his actions did not always make sense.

Jenna Ortega - Wednesday

'Wednesday' has become immensely popular and so has Ortega for her powerful performance as 'Wednesday Addams' in the supernatural comedy horror show Wednesday. Her brilliant portrayal of the eccentric Wednesday Addams truly uplifted the show.

Fatima Sana Sheikh - Modern Love: Mumbai

Sheikh plays 'Lalzari' aka 'Lali', a Kashmiri woman in Mumbai, in 'Modern Love: Mumbai' with such authenticity and innocence that you can't help but love her. She makes you live her journey with her in a wholesome way. Not to mention that Lali's spirit for life is infectious.

Prithviraj Sukumaran - Jana Gana Mana

'Jana Gana Mana' perfectly portrays the complexities of a society and the many faces of injustice. What enhanced the film is the robust performance by Sukumaran as 'Adv/DCP Aravind Swaminathan'.

Vidya Balan, Shefali Shah - Jalsa

Balan and Shah together delivered an underrated film 'Jalsa' as the journalist 'Maya Menon' and caretaker 'Rukhsana Mohammad'. respectively. These women always raise the bar high with their performances. So, when they came together, the result was an enthralling piece of cinema.

Kareena Kapoor - Laal Singh Chaddha

'Laal Singh Chaddha' received mixed responses from the audience because of Aamir Khan's performance. However, Kapoor received a lot of praise for her depiction of 'Rupa D'Souza', Laal's love interest and future wife.

Tom Cruise - Top Gun Maverick

Is there any role Cruise can't nail? His performance as 'Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell', a test pilot and flight instructor, training a group of Top Gun graduates for a specialised mission, was a delight for his fans and everyone else.

Paul Mescal - Aftersun

Aftersun has been one of the most underrated films of the year. However, it has been garnering a lot of praise from critics. Mescal's portrayal of 'Calum Paterson', a troubled father, has been the backbone of the film.

Swastika Mukherjee, Tripti Dimri - Qala

Dimri and Mukherjee were absolute stars in 'Qala', a movie that has received widespread acclaim due to its story, acting, set design, symbology, theme and commentary on social issues. Dimri's intense portrayal of the famous but troubled singer 'Qala' and Mukherjee's fierce portrayal of Qala's mother 'Urmila' were fascinating, to say the least.

Which performance impressed you the most? Tell us in the comments below!

This article is a part of our #LetsKetchup series that sums up the year that was from our perspective! Hope you enjoy reading this series this time of the year!