2008-2009: Naseeruddin Shah for 'A Wednesday'

Having debuted on screen in 1975 with Shyam Benegal's 'Nishaant', Naseer became one of the most important actors of the Indian parallel cinema with movies such as 'Sparsh', 'Mirch Masala', 'Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai', 'Trikal', 'Bhavni Bhavai', 'Junoon', 'Mandi', 'Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!', 'Paar' and 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron'. In this decade, he has been part of many acclaimed movies such as 'Hey Ram', 'Monsoon Wedding', 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen', 'Maqbool', 'Krrish', 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' and 'A Wednesday'.

Shah has been appreciated universally for his clean, clinical portrayals. As "The Common Man/Anonymous Caller" in 'A Wednesday', Naseer behaves and emotes so naturally that you might ask "Where is the actor? Where is the acting?"

Says Shah: "I did not want to be slotted. I have rejected 10 times the number of films I have done. I have played the hero running around trees and a villain and a father."

2007-2008: Darsheel Safary for 'Taare Zameen Par'

Darsheel Safary (born March 9, 1996), made his acting debut in 'Taare Zameen Par'. Safary was discovered by TZP's script writer and creative director Amol Gupte during late 2006 when he was looking for a male lead for his film on dyslexic kids.

Safary's performance as a struggling dyslexic child in the film was unanimously praised and he won several awards for his performance. Wrote Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh: "Taare Zameen Par' belongs to Master Darsheel Safary. A performance that makes the best of performances pale in comparison. A performance that deserves brownie points. A performance that'll always come first on your mind the moment someone mentions Taare Zameen Par. A performance that's impeccable, flawless and astounding. A performance that moves you and makes you reflect on your growing years. A performance that merits a special award!"

Says Safary: "I didn't do anything special to play Ishaan. I guess it sort of came naturally since I've been taking elocution classes. We sing, act and say dialogues in that class. Also, I've been attending Shiamak uncle's dance classes."

2006-2007: Saif Ali Khan for 'Omkara'

Saif Ali Khan, when he made his debut in 1992 with 'Parampara', was noticed only for his cascading dark brown hair, the mascara-ed eyelashes and that ear-to-ear grin. After scoring his first major hit in 1994 with 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari', he had to go through several years of decline in the 1990s. 'Dil Chahta Hai' (2001) changed it all. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Hum Tum' (2004). He then had his B.O. moment with 'Salaam Namaste' (2005)and 'Love Aaj Kal' (2009). Saif also starred in critically acclaimed movies such as 'Parineeta' (2005) and 'Omkara' (2006).

In one of the boldest career moves in the history of Bollywood, Saif shed his pin-up hunk look and got into that of a repellant political operator, Eshwar "Langda" Tyagi, for 'Omkara'.

'Omkara' was Bharadwaj's take on Shakespeare's 'Othello' and he had enthusiastically cast Saif as Langda, the Iago of 'Omkara'. Saif yellowed his teeth and faked a limp to play the character. "Evil had rarely looked so cool on screen," said director Vishal Bharadwaj, on Saif's portrayal.