#BirthdaySpecial: February-born actors and their best performances

It's the start of a new month and it's time for Bazaar India to (once again) celebrate and admire the many gifted actors celebrating their birthday this month. Be it rom-coms, thrillers, or comedies, we've grown to admire these (February-born) powerhouses of talent and the work they've done. It’s a spectacular six that features the likes of Abhishek Bachchan, Tripti Dimri, Shahid Kapoor, Millie Bobbie Brown, Elliot Page, and Emily Blunt. And looking back at their careers, here's our selection of the best movie/show that each of them has been a part of. 

Abhishek Bachchan - February 5

Guru (2007)

Bachchan's performance in Guru is considered to be one of his best performances to date. His portrayal of industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani was said to be spot-on. The actor nailed everything right from Ambani's character traits to his body language and even his mannerisms across the decades. The story follows the industrialist's journey from a young man to a powerful business tycoon like no one else, and Bachchan did a fine job of regaling the tale. 

Yuva

Like his father, Junior Bachchan showed us that he too knows how to play the angry young man persona; and his performance in Yuva is proof. Playing a goon named Lallan Singh in his very first collaboration with Mani Ratnam, the actor balances his angry, evil, and ruthless self with a vulnerable side that makes his character perfectly imperfect. While he comes to terms with his newly formed friendships and political alliances that see him rise to power, he is always subject to his deteriorating relationship with his wife (Rani Mukherjee). Both the film and his performance were a game changer for Bachchan as it came after a string of unsuccessful flicks. 

Millie Bobby Brown - February 19

Enola Holmes and Enola Holmes 2 

Brown stars in this 2020 mystery crime movie—a spinoff of the Sherlock Holmes franchise, where she plays the role of Enola Homles, Sherlock Holmes' fearless and quick-witted younger sister. Both Enola Holmes and Enola Holmes 2 saw her deliver a performance that was full of energy and emotions, making her instantly likeable. While the first movie saw her embark on a solo journey to find her mother, the second saw her take on her first official case as a detective, trying to solve the mystery of a missing girl. A third movie is in the making, and we just can't wait! 

Intruders (2014)

She might have been just 10 years old at that time, but Brown gave audiences a glimpse of her talent with a memorable performance in this BBC mystery drama. Based on a novel of the same name, the series is about a former police officer who stumbles across a secret society when investigating a case. The society is devoted to chasing immortality by seeking refuge in the bodies of others. Brown appears in all eight episodes of the show's first and only season, playing a 9-year-old girl named Madison O'Donnell who's associated with a member of the society. While the show wasn’t as appreciated by critics, it was Brown’s performance that was admired. 

Elliot Page - February 21

Juno (2007)

Juno is a heart-warming watch revolving around the life of Juno MacGuff, a high school student who gets pregnant after an encounter with her friend. The rest of the film follows her dealing with the complexities of teenage pregnancy along with her best friend and her parents. Her performance showcased immense emotional range, bringing out both, her funny and her vulnerable side. Furthermore, the film did a fantastic job of touching upon the themes of relationships, family dynamics, and teenage life. 

Inception (2010)

While one would certainly remember the movie for DiCaprio’s exceptional performance, Nolan’s stellar direction, and that ending that left us wondering whether it was a dream or reality, it was Page’s character of Ariadne that made things happen. She was, after all, the architect of each of the dreams where she constructed mesmerising dreamscapes. In a film that was all about what goes inside one’s mind, Paige's character gave it a whole lot of heart. 

Emily Blunt - February 23

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway might've been the central focus in The Devil Wears Prada, but Blunt's performance in the film is commendable. If anything, the actress surpassed our expectations. Playing Miranda’s personal assistant Emily Charlton, Blunt's tough, go-getter attitude makes us root for her. And truth be told, Emily deserved to go to Paris! You can’t really imagine the movie without her snide comments, eye rolls, and of course incredible fashion. 

Sicario (2015)

Blunt’s performance as FBI Special Agent Kate Macer in Sicario brought out the best of her skills. She exhibited feelings of fear, frustration, and vulnerability showing us that under her tough exterior, she had a soft side. Her character always saw the world in black and white; things were always either right or wrong. However, she soon discovers that the drug world is painted in nothing but shades of grey. Her performance and the film are sweetened with the fact that there is no jarring music or high-octane action sequences, just two actors, Blunt and Benicio del Toro, doing what they do best. 

Tripti Dimri - February 23

Bulbbul (2020)

Words aren't enough to describe this spine-chilling Netflix film. Set against the backdrop of 1881, the film saw Dimri play Bulbbul, a woman haunted by her traumatic past. Her character embodied a captivating complexity, revealing various facets of her personality—strength, vulnerability, and a whole lot of mystery. The story traces Dimri's character's evolution from a young girl captivated by horror stories, married into a wealthy family, to growing up into the authoritative Thakurain of the household. While audiences loved the movie for its Gothic horror origins, it’s Dimri’s performance that stands out as she adapts to the evolution of her character and the advancement of the story.

Qala

Another powerful performance, Dimri once again proved her mettle as an actor. In Qala, Dimri takes on the role of a young girl from Himachal who dreams of becoming a classical singer, continuing her family legacy. However, her ambition to become a singer in films leads to a conflict with her mother who would rather promote an outsider's talent over her own daughter. Doing whatever she can to reach her goal and struggling with anger and envy causes her to spiral into insanity. Her progression from the young innocent girl to a paranoid woman truly left audiences captivated.

Shahid Kapoor - February 25

Jab We Met (2007)

There’s no way you haven’t seen this Imtiaz Ali classic, which showcases the acting range of this versatile actor. The movie showcases Kapoor's ability to seamlessly transition between contrasting characters, from a calm and composed businessman who abandons his life for a train journey, to an energetic and driven man madly in love with a girl who changed his life forever. Despite being overshadowed by Kareena Kapoor's bubbly, extroverted character, Shahid Kapoor’s performance is a testament to the actor's distinctive approach, ensuring he complemented the narrative while also standing out.

Haider (2014)

This Vishal Bhardwaj masterpiece, which was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, showing us the political scenario in Kashmir, was one to remember. And Shahid Kapoor’s exceptional performance was a major reason why. It's tough to play an actor based on one of Shakespeare’s most complex plays, but Kapoor does so by shifting through the many moods and emotions with ease. Despite setting out on the path of jealously, hatred, and doubt that’s sure to see him meet his maker, you can’t help but root for the character. His monologue scene shot at the clock tower in Srinagar or the one towards the end in the graveyard, are scenes that you certainly won’t forget for a very long time.

Also read: Birthday Special: Fantastic actors born in February whose movies you just can’t afford to miss