MSN Poll 2011: The Best and Worst of 2011

By now, we are well into 2012. But the memories of 2011 just refuse to fade. Before the end of the year, MSN India invited its users to vote for the best and the worst of 2011 under the categories:

Bollywood, Sports, Leaders, and the Most Admired Women. It received about 5.2 mn votes and we present here some of the findings.

But, didn't we carry something like this based on Google Zeitgist last issue? Yes, we did. And this list actually supplements that. While Google data was based on 'searches' and hence indicated what is top-of-mind of internet users, that data probably is a better indicator of what the nation is collectively interested in. And that is based on a much larger sample of users, who use Google search.

However, the Google data just leaves it there. It does not say what people approve of and what they do not. So, a cricketer who brought glory for India by winning and a criminal who grabbed the headline because of some gruesome murder can be next to each other in that list. An Anna Hazare and a Poonam Pandey can be together! The MSN data is based on a poll that asked people what they like and dislike. It is less representative than the Google data but a better reading into their minds as it brings in the 'good' and 'bad' aspect. MSN data is a vector, while Google data is a scalar, so to say.

Bollywood

• Best Actor (Male): Rajeev Khandelwal, the famous TV actor, beats Shah Rukh Khan, the King, and emerged the winner in this category. Post Shaitan release, Khandelwal has impressed both critics and the Indian audience. Recognition of this genuine talent is an encouraging factor.
• Best Actor (Female): Everybody loves
  Katrina! She isn't just a heart-throb of the Indian audience, but also of the search engines. She rules both the hearts and the web. Vidya Balan, with her talent and Indian beauty, closely follows Katrina. This intrepid actor-after The Dirty Picture-has brought all kinds of audience under her radar.
• 
  Worst Actor (Male):
  Undoubtedly, Himesh Reshamiya for long has been the undefeated ruler of this category. His nasal act and shabby, despondent looks have earned him a bad name. However the emergence of Abhishek Bachhan at #2 is an indigestible news for many.
• Worst Actor (Female): Esha Deol, a poor reflection of Dharmendra-Hema pair, has failed to make an impact, despite the unimaginable support behind her, hence is the undisputed queen of this category. She defeats the lesser known model-turned-actor Jacqueline Fernandez.



• Best Film: Salman for long has entertained the Indian audience with his jhatkas and spiced up dialogue deliveries. He not only knows how to woo women but also spectators. His Bodyguard was voted the winner, beating Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
• Worst Film: Who thought Mausam, a movie made under the watchful eyes of immensely talented Pankaj Kapur, will fail to impress even a single soul with the heart. Voted as the worst movie, it stood out for a disappointing romance and acting. Ra One at #2 and Mausam were birds of the same feather and flocked together with a disastrous box office.

SPORTS

• Indian Sportsman of the Year: MS Dhoni is not just the king of ads but also of avid Indian cricket fanatics. Under his leadership, India fulfilled its long cherished dream-World Cup 2011. Closely following him is Abhinav Bindra, who through his undeterred focus snatched gold at Olympics and inked history. These history makers gave Indians an occasion for celebration. Abhinav Bindra who gave India its first individual Olympic Gold was a fairly close second-ahead of cricketers.
• Best Indian Sporting Event: None can detach Indians from cricket. Controversies come and go, but cricket has sustained and increased its number of fans like never before, especially after the World Cup 2011 event. This unforgettable moment was a dream come true for all of us. Similarly, Asian Hockey Championship at #2 rejuvenated our national sport.
• Most Followed Indian Sport: Undoubtedly, cricket is the ruler of this category. Indians follow cricket like a shadow, with the coming
  of smartphones following seems more easier and the bond has become stronger.

Leaders

Indians cannot live without discussing politics-even a paanwallah has a political view. What media and other search engines failed to gauge was the rising popularity of a man, who is being chased by law and the civil society since long.

• Most Admired Indian Leader: Three completely different types of leaders occupying the top slots, in a way, summarized the challenge of Indian democracy. The controversial, completely-non-acceptable-to-many politician with an incomparable track record as an
  administrator,
  Narendra Modi was the top choice. Rahul Gandhi, more with just the family name and age on his side, with limited view on national and international issues, was a close second. An extremely popular anti-establishment face, Anna Hazare, is not thought of as a great leader by many. He managed to get less than half the votes drawn by Rahul busting the myth that the youth support him. Most MSN (internet) users in India are young.

Women

Very few women leaders have stood out in the current Indian politics. Hence some similar figures have re-emerged in this category.

• Most Admired Indian Female Icon: Kiran Bedi inspired a whole generation of women, who left their thresholds to join the public space as bureaucrats, police officers, etc. Undoubtedly, she was an icon and is still considered an icon. Sonia Gandhi at #2, too, inspires entire India for her political skills.