2016 Bollywood Report Card: 9 Best Supporting Performances Of The Year

Bollywood lovers might not like but it's the truth: 2016 was a pretty mediocre year for Bollywood. Firstly, there weren't many outstanding films to begin with. And if a truly good movie released, it didn't find an audience, or it was pummelled by Hollywood releases at the box office. In addition, there were the Uri attacks' effect and demonetisation policy and several other factors affecting Bollywood this year.

(Read more: 2016 Bollywood Report Card: 11 Worst Debuts Of The Year)

But it was a reasonably good enough year for actors. While fresh and exciting talent made its way onto the main stage, there were also some incredible performances from the veteran actors working in the industry.

On that note, here are the best supporting performances of the year:

1. Jim Sarbh in Neerja

source: amazonaws.com

Neerja became one of the most talked about film of the year. Whether it was Sonam Kapoor's performance or the fact that how became the most profitable movie of 2016, the movie was constantly in the news. And then there was a then unknown Jim Sarbh playing the role of a deadly hijacker, whose debut is considered the best of the year. 

2. Shabana Azmi in Neerja

source: intoday.in

It wasn't only Sonam Kapoor and Jim Sarbh that made Neerja one of the best films of the year. The legendary Shabana Azmi delivered one of the finest supporting performances of the year as well as she played the role Neerja Bhanot's mother.

3. Rishi Kapoor in Kapoor & Sons

source: indianexpress.com

Shakun Batra's Kapoor & Sons had one of the finest ensembles this year. But it was Rishi Kapoor, playing the role of an eccentric grandfather, that really stole the show.

4. Manav Vij in Udta Punjab

source: tribuneindia.com

Playing the most divisive figure in the critically acclaimed Udta Punjab, Manav Vij was every ounce believable as a morally dubious officer in Punjab Police force.

5. Sobhita Dhulipala in Raman Raghav 2.0

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While Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vicky Kaushal really shone in this Anurag Kashyap directorial, it would be impossible to discredit the debutant's conflicted role of Simmi. 

6. Kirti Kulhari in Pink

source: ste.india.com

One the most appreciated movies of the year, Pink dealt with an important subject matter with remarkable poise. And the contribution of Kirti Kulhari in the film cannot be forgotten.

7. Surveen Chawla in Parched

After a lot of talk and controversy, Parched released in India to a lot of acclaim. And what was surprising that the film, which had the mightily talented Radhika Apte in the lead role, had Surveen Chawla as the standout performer.

8. Pankaj Tripathi in Nil Battey Sannata

source: ibnlive.in

This Anand L. Rai production had one of the finest lead performances of the year in the form of Swara Bhaskar. Also, it had one of the had the finest supporting performances of the year in the form of Pankaj Tripathi's hilarious role as Principal Srivastava.

9. Anurag Kashyap in Akira

source: indiannerve.com

Surprised to see the director on the list? Frankly, we are too. But once you remember that he was one of the most effective villains this year, it becomes really easy to put him on any best performances list.

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See more: 20 Highest Grossing Bollywood Movies Of All Time