Yet another year of fantastic, unorthodox movies – and yet another year of the oldest mainstream film awards in India, chasing “what’s more popular” and “who’s got more money in the bank” instead of “who created and came up with the best projects.”
The perpetual failure of our mainstream awards in recognizing raw talent and path-breaking masterpieces, year after year, makes you wonder if the time has come for a total boycott to be called upon them.
“From the brainless, sleazy punchlines to some redundant performances with 200 dancers on stage, almost every “big” film award in India has solely concentrated on yielding tall TRP numbers and hefty paychecks through multiple sponsorship. It really does seem all about the money and popularity, and very little or nothing to do with acknowledging the best cinematic works of the year.”
The inclusion of ‘compensatory’ categories like ‘Critics Choice’ doesn’t make it any less worse either, in fact, it only turns the main categories into more of a joke.
This year too, we see a number of awe-inspiring films failing to make it to the top – while big-budget and big banner, critical disasters, somehow manage to get shoved down our throats.
Comparing some of the ‘lesser deserving’ and ‘extremely in-cohesive’ winners and choices with those who actually deserved to hold the titles, here’s a brief look at those that were ‘awarded’ and those that ‘weren’t, but should have.’
Best Film
Who Won
Raazi
Who Should Have Won
Tumbbad
Best Actor
Who Won
Ranbir Kapoor (Sanju)
Who Should Have Won
Vineet Kumar Singh (Mukkabaaz)
Best Actress
Who Won
Alia Bhatt (Raazi)
Who Should Have Won
Tabu (Andhadhun)
Best Supporting Actress
Who Won
Surekha Sikhri (Badhai Ho)
Who Should Have Won
Neetu Chandra (Love Sonia)
Best Supporting Actor
Who Won
Vicky Kaushal (Sanju)
Who Should Have Won
Manoj Bajpayee (Love Sonia)
We’re not even going to get into the rest of the nominees as it continues to get worse, but I guess you get the idea by now.
Filmfare, like most Indian awards, seem only like a celebration by a fraternity filled with friends of friends of friends, who all gather in extravagant, glamorous podiums to pat each other’s back and prove their loyalty and friendships to one another.
There’s really no other way to explain this travesty that continues to disrespect this 100 year old industry, every year.
The only way Filmfare can win back its lost credibility is by incorporating an actual pre-defined voting system, with a significantly large number of members who cast their votes without any influence or bias from external sources – and who happen to know a great deal about world cinema.
And let us please do away with these unnecessary ‘compensatory’ categories and air the whole thing LIVE – just for the thrill of it all.
Here’s to hoping!