People You Secretly Root For

[los angeles]

Whether it's an actor/actress who keeps being trashed by the critics and posters on here, or a filmmaker whose films are constantly facing all sorts of problems with reviews or paisa-collections, is there someone you secretly root for? Even if the odds seem against them?

There are some people who just charm you somehow, isn't it? You see them flailing around and making mistakes and bad decisions, or they're often saying the wrong thing or whatever. And yet you just secretly root for them, hoping they'll catch a break and turn things around a bit.

Though it's unlikely, I'd like to see one more dance movie from Madhuri. Most people are not rooting for her at all, they say she should stick to being a mom and family-person now, and that her naach-days are over. However she danced so well in Aaja Nachle!! Just one more song-and-dance movie from her would be so cool to see.

In HW, Conan's my secretly-root-for-him guy. He got fired from his Tonight Show job rather abruptly and I'm just crossing my fingers his new show does awesomely when it starts in the fall.

[SRKFanatic]

I root for Vivek Oberoi.  He had such a promising start, then one thing after another, and now he doesn't seem to be choosing the best films.  But he seems like such a nice guy, and his smile is to die for.  I hope he gets a chance at a really good film.

I also root for Dia Mirza.  I really like her, and wish she got better roles in bigger films. 

[AmiJeTomar]

i agree on dia. First thing i saw her in was deewanapan with Arjun. Thought she was better than the movie
and do wish she would get a big lead role or something.

[AmiJeTomar]

actually, i know she doesn't make movies anymore, but i also secretly root for twinkle khanna.
I loved her in Jaan & Itihaas with ajay and in barsaat with bobby. hated her in Baazigar but i think that
was the amount of make-up and the wierd wig's fault.
She's not a great actress but she does the job. I also don't get why people call her ugly. I think she's cute,
especially in the early 90's when her hair was all puffy.

so yeah, i dunno, i just root for people to reconsider her i guess

[ani_naja]

I agree with SRKFanatic on Vivek - he seems like a genuinely nice guy, who made a bad choice.

I also root for Karan Johar - sometimes I hate the guy, but most of the time I understand his motives....he's an open book to me (I'd like to think so ).

I also started to root for Deepika lately....not because of her acting (I still find she has a lot of room for improvement), but for some strange unknown reason...maybe it's that fierce new ad for Sony 

[prahajess]

I root for Vivek Oberoi.  He had such a promising start, then one thing after another, and now he doesn't seem to be choosing the best films.  But he seems like such a nice guy, and his smile is to die for.  I hope he gets a chance at a really good film.

I'm with you on Vivek. Magdalena met him and has been chatting with him on Twitter (and possibly other places) and I've seen his comments to her. He's so nice! Not fake at all. And lately I've seen a lot (too much) of promo for Prince and Vivek's interviews are reinforcing that. And yes, that smile... gah! 

I also root for Ranvir, but that's more IN movies, since he seems to have it together in real life.

[chrisanthi]

You can add another one for the roots for Vivek camp. I follow him on twitter and he does seem to be a nice, genuine guy. I love how he does all that charity work with children - he seems to love children so that is also a plus in my book. And that killer smile

[kmemphis]

I like Uday. I like Bobby Deol. And probably any other "ha ha, they suck" name, if I've seen them in a movie.

I also like all of KJo's movies. I haven't seen KANK, and may like it

It deals with adultery, right? so that is quite close to home, but I'll probably still like it. And if I'm really evil, send it and Sholay to my dad Hey, he said he liked spaghetti westerns. (And he's a cheating jerk.)

I root for all of them really, and I want Manisha to be in a new successful movie.

Also - even though I didn't like Black all that much, I love SLB's movies. (Need to see Khamoshi) I think he creates his own world with his movies, and that can be weird (Hungitaly, no mention of politics in Devdas, English in Black) but his movies are gorgeous and when he includes songs and dances - they are amazing! Saawariya... damn... so pretty.

[Pardesi 2]

I agree about Vivek.. although I haven't given him much thought, he's not on my rooting short list. Bechara, he tries doesn't he? And people with less skills have been more successful.

Others I root for in spite of everything:

Soha Ali Khan: the girl oozes confidence so she may not seem underdog material, but she is educated, mature and the the type of roles she excels at are just not the type in demand: like RDB and Tum Mile (if anyone has seen it, and if you haven't please do!)...so she ends up miscast . I'd like to see her talents appreciated...

Madhavan keep on waiting for the role that will show us what he's really made of

Kunal Khemu Ok this guy had me at his dance with Aamir Khan in Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein of Raja Hindustani... now that was a charismatic child! His comeback brought a new kind of character like in Dhoondh Reh Jaoge... unfortunately that was not followed up... can't they realise he is a born comedian and tap into his potential?

Aziz Mirza the guy brought me so many smiles and laughter with the comedy in his movies Yes Boss, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Kismat Konnection... least I could do is root for him when it seems like he retired after Ki Ko flopped (unjustly IMHO)!

Sumanth and Raja the Telugu actors... who are better at romancing than machete-wielding, only to find themselves in the wrong industry. They were wonderful in Godavari and Anand (respectively) but too bad Telugu movies like that are made once in a blue moon

Prithviraj The new Malayalam star.. I've only seen him in a couple of movies, his roles were nothing out of the ordinary but he does have a certain appeal and I hope his part in Raavana turns out good and gives him a career boost.

Imran Khan He was good in JTYJN, very boy next door and he seems like such a sweet person.. too bad he made a couple of off choices.. I hope he comes back with I Hate Luv Stories or whatever the name is

[lena]

Oh I am so with you on Madhuri, Gauri! Even though I realize it was probably the root of Aaja Nachle's downfall, she is so amazing as an "older" woman still being sexy and able to knock everyone's socks off dancing! I would love to see her having tons of roles as strong as a mother-aged woman as she was as a nubile young thing.

[Amba]

There are some people who just charm you somehow, isn't it? You see them flailing around and making mistakes and bad decisions, or they're often saying the wrong thing or whatever. And yet you just secretly root for them, hoping they'll catch a break and turn things around a bit.

This describes Rani Mukherjee to a "T", for me. She's disastrously mismanaged her career for the last few years, and I keep wishing she'll wise up and make a comeback. It's painful to see the careers of actresses who don't have half her charm and talent take off, while hers has ground to a halt.

Another person I root for is Shaad Ali; he directed two movies I'm very fond of (Saathiya and Bunty aur Babli), but after JBJ failed at the box office, he seems to have been AWOL. I hope he gets a chance to direct again.

[leaf]

Sumanth and Raja the Telugu actors... who are better at romancing than machete-wielding, only to find themselves in the wrong industry. They were wonderful in Godavari and Anand (respectively) but too bad Telugu movies like that are made once in a blue moon

Your list is very similar to mine, P, especially regarding these two. At least Sumanth has family connections, but Raja has had such a difficult life and I really, really want him to get good, meaningful roles. I feel like he would do better if he were a Hindi actor. There's just a lot more scope for actors like him.

[kendra]

I root for Vivek too, really like his personality, but he did some bad choices indeed, that's why I'm so happy about Prince's success!
Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu (whyyy why isn't he a much more successful actor?), Madhuri and Rani of course. I also root for Kareena, she can be very good well directed, and Sonam Kapoor, she's just waiting for a good role!
And Sanjay Dutt, can't help, Sanju baba has all my affection, and I don't even know why 

Another person I root for is Shaad Ali; he directed two movies I'm very fond of (Saathiya and Bunty aur Babli), but after JBJ failed at the box office, he seems to have been AWOL. I hope he gets a chance to direct again.

Me too (loved BaB and JBJ). I had the chance to discuss with him in october 2008 when he was in Paris for La nuit blanche where he directed a clip. He told me he will surely direct again, under Yash Raj banner, but he always stops his personal project to be assistant director to Mani Ratnam. So he was busy on the sets of Ravaan!

[amit]

Well, it's not so secret anymore.

I root for Neha Dhupia and Yashpal Sharma - both talented individuals who are somewhat under-appreciated.

[2hapyft]

Madhavan keep on waiting for the role that will show us what he's really made of

Did you see Aayutha Ezhuthu it is the Tamil version of Yuva?

[Pardesi 2]

Did you see Aayutha Ezhuthu it is the Tamil version of Yuva?

No, I've only seen a few scenes out of it and I couldn't really get interested in an alternative to the Rani-Abhishek Jodi in the Hindi Yuva (aahh.. Ranishek, my favourite extinct jodi, along with SRK-Juhi)...

But also because Madhavan's strength IMO is not in portraying negative characters/action heroes (although he's more than good in those too)

I was awed by his performance in Kannathil Mutthamital : where his character was basically principled but also flawed by being a little rigid and obstinate

And Mumbai Meri Jaan where he was the perfect example of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Your list is very similar to mine, P, especially regarding these two. At least Sumanth has family connections, but Raja has had such a difficult life and I really, really want him to get good, meaningful roles. I feel like he would do better if he were a Hindi actor. There's just a lot more scope for actors like him.

Yes, I read several interviews with Raja. He's had a rocky life, apparently, his parents both died of chronic illnesses when he was young, and he has to support his siblings. He started off in a theatre group in Mumbai and then shifted to Telugu movies. I remember him sounding really down-to-earth,saying things along the lines of: I'd love to make movies like this and this, but my job is being an actor, other people financially depend on me and I can't be choosy, I have to make a living... not exact quotes, but that was what he was saying.

But it's too sad he hasn't found his place in the Telugu industry. Anand, his best role IMO, was 6 years ago and things aren't really clicking for him. I agree, he would be better off in Hindi.

[LinKarish]

I agree about Vivek.. although I haven't given him much thought, he's not on my rooting short list. Bechara, he tries doesn't he? And people with less skills have been more successful.

Others I root for in spite of everything:

Soha Ali Khan: the girl oozes confidence so she may not seem underdog material, but she is educated, mature and the the type of roles she excels at are just not the type in demand: like RDB and Tum Mile (if anyone has seen it, and if you haven't please do!)...so she ends up miscast . I'd like to see her talents appreciated...

Madhavan keep on waiting for the role that will show us what he's really made of

Kunal Khemu Ok this guy had me at his dance with Aamir Khan in Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein of Raja Hindustani... now that was a charismatic child! His comeback brought a new kind of character like in Dhoondh Reh Jaoge... unfortunately that was not followed up... can't they realise he is a born comedian and tap into his potential?

Sumanth and Raja the Telugu actors... who are better at romancing than machete-wielding, only to find themselves in the wrong industry. They were wonderful in Godavari and Anand (respectively) but too bad Telugu movies like that are made once in a blue moon

Prithviraj The new Malayalam star.. I've only seen him in a couple of movies, his roles were nothing out of the ordinary but he does have a certain appeal and I hope his part in Raavana turns out good and gives him a career boost.

Imran Khan He was good in JTYJN, very boy next door and he seems like such a sweet person.. too bad he made a couple of off choices.. I hope he comes back with I Hate Luv Stories or whatever the name is

Add in Vivek Oberoi.  I agree with pretty much all except the Telugu actors.  And that's only because I need to branch out more into Telugu films outside of mostly Prabhas.

I liked Prithiviraj ever since I saw him in a Malayalam film song "Nee Manimukil" from Vellithira about six years years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs3AXTzn2rk
I think it was the first time I realized that a South Indian mustache can look good.

[2hapyft]

No, I've only seen a few scenes out of it and I couldn't really get interested in an alternative to the Rani-Abhishek Jodi in the Hindi Yuva (aahh.. Ranishek, my favourite extinct jodi, along with SRK-Juhi)...

I understand as I really like Ranishek. I actually saw the Hindi version first but after seeing the Tamil version I think Maddy was better. Abhishek looked like a thug but seeing a baby faced Maddy playing a thug was brilliant. 

[leaf]

I liked Prithiviraj ever since I saw him in a Malayalam film song "Nee Manimukil" from Vellithira about six years years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs3AXTzn2rk
I think it was the first time I realized that a South Indian mustache can look good.

Oh god, I used to listen to the soundtrack of that film all the time. The songs are great and the picturizations so cute, especially Pacha Manga. Though, when it came out, I was still in a stage in my life where all I could think was, "Why the eff can't these men shave?"

[los angeles]

I would love to see her having tons of roles as strong as a mother-aged woman as she was as a nubile young thing.

Yea Lena I agree, I'd be delighted to see that too. I hope we see her make more films one way or another. I'm hoping she'll have more time when her kids are a bit more grown-up, if filmmakers can work around her family schedule.
It seems like Juhi's taken on more roles recently than Madhuri, I believe they were contemporaries? I watch way too much Indian TV, and there are a few popular food-brand commercials that run fairly often with Juhi. It's nice to see those, she looks so lovely!! (I'm such a sap. Hehe.)

[lena]

Yea Lena I agree, I'd be delighted to see that too. I hope we see her make more films one way or another. I'm hoping she'll have more time when her kids are a bit more grown-up, if filmmakers can work around her family schedule.
It seems like Juhi's taken on more roles recently than Madhuri, I believe they were contemporaries? I watch way too much Indian TV, and there are a few popular food-brand commercials that run fairly often with Juhi. It's nice to see those, she looks so lovely!! (I'm such a sap. Hehe.)

Yes, and Juhi is another one I'm rooting for in the mother-aged actress category. Sure she's getting a fair number of roles, but too often she's wasted, like in Salaam-E--Ishq. I said it at the time--given that the girl Anil falls for looks an awful lot like Juhi, and Juhi has so much dialogue about the "dreams" they had when they married, it would have been so easy to make her character a former dancer, to make it clear that what he was falling in love with in the young girl was his memories of his wife, and to maybe, just maybe, show that allowing a mother/wife to keep her dreams would make the marriage stronger. But no, she was just a standard hard-done-by wife waiting for her husband to come to his senses.

[Kishi]

I'm glad someone mentioned Dia, I've always been a fan of hers.

Celina has been the face of GLBTQ rights in India and that takes a lot of courage. Her support has been so great!

[LinKarish]

Oh god, I used to listen to the soundtrack of that film all the time. The songs are great and the picturizations so cute, especially Pacha Manga. Though, when it came out, I was still in a stage in my life where all I could think was, "Why the eff can't these men shave?"

Not that surprising. I'm a few years older than you.  So I had just gotten past that stage around 2004 or so.

I forgot to mention, and haven't seen her mentioned here.

Lara Dutta  What is it about the Miss Universes losing out to their First Runners up in the Miss India contest?  She deserves to be recognized more and better roles.  I don't know how many times I've rewound and watched her expression while lip syching, "Hush hush hush, Papa's sleepin" in the Houseful promo. 

So from the three who went on to win their worldwide contests that year, only Priyanka has made it big.  Dutta and Mirza deserve more than they've got.

[chrisanthi]

Dutta and Mirza deserve more than they've got.

Completely agree with you

[mala]

Yea Lena I agree, I'd be delighted to see that too. I hope we see her make more films one way or another. I'm hoping she'll have more time when her kids are a bit more grown-up, if filmmakers can work around her family schedule.
It seems like Juhi's taken on more roles recently than Madhuri, I believe they were contemporaries? I watch way too much Indian TV, and there are a few popular food-brand commercials that run fairly often with Juhi. It's nice to see those, she looks so lovely!! (I'm such a sap. Hehe.)

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Juhi's still in India whereas Madhuri lives in America.  It's probably harder for her (M) to do little things like that.

Yes, and Juhi is another one I'm rooting for in the mother-aged actress category. Sure she's getting a fair number of roles, but too often she's wasted, like in Salaam-E--Ishq. I said it at the time--given that the girl Anil falls for looks an awful lot like Juhi, and Juhi has so much dialogue about the "dreams" they had when they married, it would have been so easy to make her character a former dancer, to make it clear that what he was falling in love with in the young girl was his memories of his wife, and to maybe, just maybe, show that allowing a mother/wife to keep her dreams would make the marriage stronger. But no, she was just a standard hard-done-by wife waiting for her husband to come to his senses.

Wow, what an interesting idea.  I personally found SEI to be craptastic, but having what you suggested added into the storyline, may have redeemed it for me.