Top 5 Powerful Performances By Actresses In 2020 - Round Up 2020

The movie buffs were pained by no theatrical releases this year. However, the OTT platforms made sure that their struggle was eased by the release of equally, or even better movies and series online. In fact, the silver lining here is that we came across many top-notch performances by a number of actors. With just a few clicks or swipes, we are able to watch movies and series of impeccable quality. Be it the screenplay or the acting, many of the releases on streaming platforms were beyond what great means.

And when it comes to acting, some of the actresses totally nailed it on digital screen. Here are top 5 powerful performances by actresses which highly impressed the audience:

Tripti Damri in Bulbbul

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The powerful feminist revisionist tale highlights how women are in the receiving end of suffering due to the vices of patriarchy. Set in the era of pre-independence feudal society, it deals Bulbbul's plight amidst the dark reality and secrets of her in-laws’ haveli, followed by her emancipation in a surreal way. Tripti Damri left everyone be‘witch’ed with her intense performance layered with pain and rage. Namrata Joshi, cinema editor and film critic with The Hindu wrote in her review, “Dam packs in a punch as does Dimri in the lead. From the vulnerable and the innocent to the transformation into the mysterious tease, Dimri is a stunner who speaks volumes with her eyes. And the audience can do little but stay enraptured.”

Sushmita Sen in Aarya

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A Hindi adaptation of the Dutch drama series Penoza by Pieter Bart Korthuis, it follows the struggle of Aarya, a single mother, to protect her family at all costs, even if it means that she needs to deal with the dark truth of her family’s business and what it yields. Sushmita Sen’s grand comeback was a pure delight to watch. She thoroughly impressed everyone with her power-packed performance. Shubhra Gupta, film critic and columnist with The Indian Express wrote, “The series never really takes its eyes off Aarya. But it’s good to see Sen back in the grid, and grow into her part, especially when she begins breaking through to a woman who discovers her innate toughness, and learning to stay a step ahead of her sneaky, heavy-handed father and too ambitious-for-his-own-good brother.”

Rasika Duggal in Mirzapur 2

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The second season of Amazon Prime’s crime drama thriller was a massive hit. It followed the aftermath of the brutal murder of Guddu’s pregnant wife and brother and his thirst for vengeance. With the sister-in-law by his side, he navigates through the crime underworld of Mirzapur to seek revenge. Rasika Duggal played the role of Beena, wife of Akhandanand Tripathi aka Kaleen Bhaiyya, the lord of the crime world in Mirzapur. She is well-known for her powerful performances in the past and expectedly performed flawlessly in every scene that she was a part of.  The character arc of hers from the first season to the second is highly commendable. From a flawed character to still imperfect but with a resolve, her development is one of the highlights of the series.

Shreya Dhanwanthary in Scam 1992

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The Sony LIV Originals crime drama series has a rating of 9.5 on Imdb, the highest for any Indian release. The series is based on the life of Harshad Mehta, the mastermind of the 1992 Indian stock market scam. Shreya Dhanwanthary played the role of the journalist Sucheta Dalal who was instrumental in the exposé of the scame. She was phenomenal in the portrayal of the Padma Shri winning journalist. Sayan Ghosh, a columnist of The Hindu wrote, “Dhanwantary’s powerful yet effortless performance masterfully captures the frustration and angst that the real-life Sucheta Dalal was subjected to, as she embarked on untangling the crisis that Mehta left in his wake.”

Shweta Tripathi in Mirzapur 2

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Another important character from the series mentioned above, she was a meek and nerdy girl in the first season. However, she turns thirsty for revenge after the death of her lover and sister in the hands of Munna, the son of the gangster of Mirzapur. She also turns megalomaniac in pursuit of her goal to ‘own the town’. Shweta Tripathi Sharma nailed the character of Gajgamini Gupta aka Golu. Her fierce transformation is truly a great character arc to witness. Furthermore, it is far more intriguing than her portrayal in season one.

Also Read: Five Best Roles Of The Talented Actress Bhumi Pednekar

Sugandha Bora is an intern with SheThePeople.