This following blog titled as 'Awards Shwards Hai Rabba' was among the Top 5 blog on itimes.
The Bollywood award season is finally here. Apsara, Star Screen, Filmfare, Sansui, Zee Cine, IIFA…phew! And this list by no means is exhaustive, so pardon me if I have missed out on a few. Anyway, back to the awards.
With a mission to celebrate cinematic excellence in Hindi cinema, these award functions felicitate actors, directors, musicians, technicians etc on the basis of their superlative performances.
Well, so much for noble intentions! Cut to the reality check.
Replete with song and dance routine, they are complete paisa vasool and a great source of entertainment; no less than the films they aim to venerate. Film stars sashaying down the red carpet in their shimmering gowns and well-cut tuxedos, awkward emcees with their banal repartees, outpouring of love and respect for veteran actors/filmmakers (basically whosoever has won Lifetime Achievement award that year), celebs sitting according to the camps to which they owe their allegiance, barbed comments against arch-rivals in the garb of comedy which eventually becomes next day's headlines…these award functions are anything but boring.
Firm believer of George Bush's theory 'if you are not with us then you are against us', the organizers of these shows bestow one of those curvy black/bronze trophy to only those celebs who attend or perform at their function!
But just don't dismiss them yet. They are very innovative with their categories also, so much so that Oscars, Golden Globes et al can learn a lesson or two. If you are a big star but have delivered Box Office duds, there is always 'Style icon of the Year' award to accommodate you with. A Barbie-doll doll with several hits but no acting skills? Don't worry, just throw some tantrums and a last-minute 'Best Entertainer of the Year' will be doled out to you.
What is any award function without verbal volleys and controversies? So if you are a current superstar, this is a perfect chance to get back at your predecessor by slighting 'chhote bhaiyya'—his omnipresent politician friend. That's not all. As an award show organizer make sure that you invite an extremely sensitive filmmaker who can't take a joke and motormouth TV show host-turned-director who thinks he is India's answer to Jay Leno, and see the sparks fly, not to mention skyrocketing TRPs for the show and the channel!
Well, as the clich goes 'Love them or hate them but you can't ignore them.' So, chuck the comparisons with Academy Awards; stop lamenting the lack of meritocracy and professionalism, and just enjoy the show. Afterall, even award shows (just like reel life) imitate the real life!
