Indian actors that yearn for an Oscar are berated for their perceived hankering for approval and recognition from the West. After all why should it matter what award one receives from an agency that has little understanding and even less appreciation of the Indian style of cinema? That is certainly a valid argument, but what Indian film award has the gravitas and the legitimacy of something like the Oscar or the Golden Globe awards?
Indian award shows are about the sponsors
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It seems anyone can decide to distribute film awards at will, typically named for the event sponsor. So there are Manikchand (paan masala) awards, Filmfare and Stardust (film gossip magazines), Idea (mobile services) Colors (TV channel), Zee Cine awards and numerous other awards around.
Though we are told that a Filmfare is the most prestigious and genuine of awards and the Indian equivalent of the Oscars, the claim sounds hollow at best. These names seem to change each year so it is difficult to remember award names, much less who received what award. Leave alone audiences, even stars may have a problem remembering what award was won when.
The awards are not really about merit
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The people with the right connections and perhaps the stars with the most popular appeal are typically seen to win the most awards. How else would one explain the fact that excellent performances such as Richa Chadda in Masaan, Bhumi Pednekar in Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Kalki Koechlin in Margarita with a Straw were sidelined in favour of someone like Sonam Kapoor who received a nomination for her role Dolly ki Doli and then another in the “popular category” for her role in Prem Ratan Dhan Paaro. Awards cannot hope to be taken seriously; cannot even be credible when this is the type of ‘merit’ that is recognised and rewarded. Alas these awards are all about the big names rather than the deserving ones.
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The protracted, glitzy song and dance sequences are the main draw of these award shows; the actual award nominations and awards are squeezed in almost by the way. These are actually variety entertainment shows masquerading as award ceremonies.
The selection process and criteria are opaque
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It is quite a mystery as to how nominees are decided and what the award selection process is like. The criteria for selection and the people involved in the process are “top secret” and therefore no details need be divulged apparently. Some nominations are just a way to actually get a celeb to attend an event while some awards are handed out as a “thank you” for favours/ services rendered. Apparently Akshay Kumar was asked to perform at an award ceremony and then asked to reduce his fee because he was to receive an award!
So until such time as we have a credible award system that is genuinely about cinematic brilliance and less about currying favour with and the rewarding of a select few; real talent will continue to look towards the west for recognition and I’ll just wait for the Golden Kelas of the Ghanta Awards, thank you very much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba7Xx8hvHT4
Author – Reena Daruwalla
