Year Ender 2023: 19 Star Performers Who Left Us Speechless With Their Fabulous Work On OTT
2023 presented an interesting mix of content both on OTT and the big screen. While theaters finally got resuscitated due to big blockbuster hits like Pathaan, Jawaan, Gadar 2 and the likes, the digital sphere also saw a bevy of gripping web series and direct-to-ott releases, which kept viewers thoroughly entertained.??
A variety of titles were released across several OTT platforms that kept the discussions going on the internet. With new artists making their debuts this year and veterans upping their game by giving seasoned performances, it¡¯s that time of the year when we look back and celebrate powerful performances that left a lasting impression on our minds. Scroll!
1. Abhay Deol - Trial By Fire
A web series based on Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy, Abhay Deol played a helpless father who lost both his children in the tragic incident. His fight to get justice for his deceased kids was powerful to watch. Not only him but even, Rajashri Deshpande, who played his wife, was phenomenal.
Where to watch: Netflix
Also Read:?'Trial By Fire' Proves Good Story & Right Emotions Take Precedence Over Bollywood Vs South Debate
2. Bhuvan Bam - Taaza Khabar
The show revolves around a poor boy Vasya, a slum-dog looking to become a millionaire. In the course of his struggle, he is blessed by an old lady and overnight he gets a superpower to see the immediate future before anyone else. He uses it to his advantage and becomes rich, but soon enough success gets to his head. Bam is phenomenal as Vasya and keeps you hooked throughout the episodes.
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
3. Shahid Kapoor - Farzi
Kapoor made his OTT debut with this series in which he plays the role of an artist called Sunny. He is frustrated about not being able to sustain his grandfather¡¯s printing press. He along with his best friend Firoz hatch a plan to make counterfeit money. It isn¡¯t as simple as it sounds because he has to deal with a gangster and a shrewd cop.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
4. Jim Sarbh - Rocket Boys 2
The role that fetched Sarbh an International Emmy nomination, the second season continued from 1964. It revolves around Homi Bhabha who is still hoping to make an Indian atom bomb and Dr Vikram Sarabhai who is still dreaming of flying his rockets to space. However, both of them are faced with challenges from the authorities including budget cuts.
Where to watch: SonyLiv
5. Atul Kulkarni - Happy Family: Conditions Apply
One of the most underrated shows of the year, this series is from the house of JD Majethia and Aatish Kapadia, the duo who belted out Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai and Khichdi. This one revolves around the Dholakia family that has four generations living under the same roof. Just like any other family, theirs is also a dysfunctional one which is a blend of traditional and modern values. Atul plays the simple and goofy man who isn¡¯t ashamed of showing his emotions. He¡¯s loving and kind but also quirky.?
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
6. Rana Daggubati - Rana Naidu
In the world of celebrities, Rana Naidu is a fixer of the stars! He is a problem solver who cleans up the mess of his influential clients. However, his own life is not so hunky dory as well. His family secrets and personal issues are something that even he is unable to fix. It¡¯s a treat to watch both Rana and his real life uncle Venkatesh Daggubati lock horns in this fast-paced series.
Where to watch: Netflix
Also Read: All 'Gaali-Galoch' Aside, 12 Actors That Uplifted Rana Naidu With Jaw-Dropping Performances
7. Kritika Kamra - Bambai Meri Jaan
A retelling of one of the most horrifying tales, this show takes us back to the era where the underworld was ruling the city of Bombay. Amid the powerful men, there¡¯s Habiba, a sweet little girl pampered by her three brothers and parents who is slowly growing up to become a future Lordess. Kritika Kamra has outdone herself in the show and has proved her acting mettle despite starring alongside a stalwart like Kay Kay Menon.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Also Read:?Kay Kay Menon-Avinash Tiwary¡¯s Bambai Meri Jaan Ending Explained: Is Habiba The New Mafia Queen?
8. Avinash Tiwary - Bambai Meri Jaan and Kaala
2023 has been a fabulous year for Tiwary. He essayed the role inspired by Dawood Ibrahim in Bambai Meri Jaan. His presence and acting is so convincing that it¡¯s hard to not get impressed. In Kaala, he plays an IB officer Ritwik, who is involved in tracking a money laundering case. Both these roles are as different as chalk and cheese, but the man has done full justice.
Where to watch Bambai Meri Jaan: Amazon Prime Video
Where to watch Kaala: Disney+Hotstar
9. Suvinder Vicky - Kohrra
The central plot of the show revolves around a bridegroom¡¯s murder days before his wedding. Two police officers are in charge of solving the case and finding the culprit. Vicky plays one of the senior cops, who is dealing with issues of his own. His orthodox methods don¡¯t sit well with his daughter. Apart from solving the case, he also faces his own demons.
Where to watch: Netflix
10. Barun Sobti - Asur 2/Kohrra
The actor who took TV by storm has managed to spread his reign on OTT as well, this year. He plays the second cop alongside Suvinder Vicky in Kohrra. He is a troubled man and in the process of solving the murder case, he finds himself. In the second season of Asur, he returns to India after a long sabbatical to resolve a peculiar case of a serial killer who is on the loose and has threatened the system.
Where to watch Kohrra: Netflix
Where to watch Asur 2: JioCinema
11. Vijay Varma - Dahaad/Kaalkoot/Jaane Jaan/Lust Stories 2
Varma is a streaming era star and he has had yet another phenomenal year with back-to-back OTT releases. In Dahaad, he played a villain who traps women and kills them. In Kaalkoot, he played an honest cop who is on a mission to solve the case of a heinous acid attack. In Jaane Jaan, he played a cop once again who is investigating a murder but falls in love with the key witness/culprit. In Lust Stories 2, he played a crook who is having an extra marital affair and one fine day he runs into his ex-wife and rekindles his relationship.
Where to watch Dahaad: Amazon Prime Video
Where to watch KaalKoot: JioCinema
Where to watch Jaane Jaan: Netflix
Where to watch Lust Stories 2: Netflix
12. Gulshan Devaiah - Guns And Gulaabs
The story is set in Gulaabganj, a fictional town where government-licensed opium is grown. The vast majority of opium flow is controlled by two rival gangs, led by Ganchi and Nabeed. Devaiah plays '4-Cut Atmaram', a hired assassin in a Sanjay Dutt-style get-up, who uses his Rampuri knife to kill people.?
Where to watch: Netflix
13. Karishma Tanna - Scoop
Another telly actor who has had a great year is Karishma Tanna. In this show inspired by the real story of a journalist who was wrongly accused of murder of a reporter, Tanna played the key role based on Jigna Vohra. She has won several awards and accolades for her phenomenal performance.
Where to watch: Netflix?
14. Mona Singh - Made In Heaven 2/Kaala Paani
In both the series, she plays small but significant roles. The audience couldn¡¯t stop praising her moving performance in Made In Heaven 2, in which she played a domestic abuse survivor who goes on to help a bride who shows similar signs of undergoing abuse. Her compassion and kindness won a lot of hearts. Similarly, in Kaala Paani, she played a doctor who goes out of her way to find the root cause of a disease spread and loses her life in the process.
Where to watch Made In Heaven 2: Amazon Prime Video
Where to watch Kaala Paani: Netflix
15. Babil Khan - The Railway Men
Late legend Irrfan Khan¡¯s son Babil finally got a role in which he could showcase his acting mettle and leave an impact. In the series based on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, he plays a young boy Imad Riaz, who joins the railways as a locomotive pilot, one day before the disaster took place. He gave it his all to rescue as many people as he could and died as a martyr.
Where to watch: Netflix
Also Read:?The Railway Men Ending Explained: Did Constable Become A Good Man? Do Imad & Iftekaar Survive?
16. Jaideep Ahlawat - Jaane Jaan
Even though this film marked Kareena Kapoor¡¯s OTT debut, Jaideep stole the show with his jaw-dropping performance. He played Viren, the cold and calculating math teacher. He goes to extreme lengths to save his neighbou,r who he secretly loves.
Where to watch: Netflix
Also Read:?Jaane Jaan Ending Explained: Did Mrs D¡¯souza Have Feelings For Naren? Why Did He Take Her Blame?
17. Saurabh Sachdeva - Jaane Jaan/Bambai Meri Jaan/ Haddi
From an acting coach to sweeping people off their feet with his performances, 2023 was a good year for Sachdeva. He played an evil husband to Kareena¡¯s character in Jaane Jaan, who returns into her life to extract money. He is killed in a scuffle but even in a minuscule role, he was able to intimidate the characters and the audiences both. In Bambai Meri Jaan, he played Haji Bhai, a role inspired by Haji Mastan. He is a criminal with a semi-good heart. In Haddi, he is an out and out villain.?
Where to watch Haddi: Zee5
18. Manoj Bajpayee - Sirf Ek Bandaa Hi Kaafi Hai
When it comes to him, he can seldom go wrong! In this direct-to-ott release, he played a small town lawyer, who is honest and dedicated. He takes it upon himself to get justice for a young girl who has been wronged by a self-proclaimed godman. His speech in the climax was the talk of the town for days after the film¡¯s release.
Where to watch Bandaa: Zee5
Also Read:?If Not Anything Else, Manoj Bajpayee Deserves All The Awards For His Closing Statement In ¡®Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai¡¯
19. Kay Kay Menon - The Railway Men
Everytime he is on screen, it¡¯s hard to look away or not be impressed. Menon stunned his fans with the portrayal of a responsible Station Master of Bhopal Junction. He bravely saved the lives of thousands of people after the gas leak without worrying for his own safety.?
Where to watch: Netflix
(To?read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading?Indiatimes BINGE)
