How did Raja Hindustani win best film over Khamoshi? - Page 3

Originally posted by: capricornrcks

Even at the time the movie came out, I found Raja Hindustani problematic. Aamir's highhandedness- especially the way he took the baby from Karisma was unforgivable.The story was inspired by Shashi Kapoor-Nanda starrer Jab Jab Phool Khile .But the way it was treated was terrible. Aamir didn't have Shashi's naive villager charm or goodness of heart. There was this tendency to teach women a lesson and put them in their place. And the kiss was ridiculous. What I most remember was Karisma swearing left and right in interviews that she hadn't undergrown any plastic surgery but had merely changed her wardrobe and makeup.

Khamoshi on the otherhand was a delight. Bhansali went all out on his debut.The ensemble cast gave one of their best performances. Best of all Salman and Manisha didn't stick around eternally for Babujis permission before marrying. They knew that he was not going to change his mind.But still the parents came around when their daughter needed them. Nana's performance when his young son (Manisha's brother) died still brings tears to my eyes.

Originally posted by: FilmiDhun

Because Khamoshi flopped and Raja Hindustani was a blockbuster. BW awards were always heavy on popularity bias, in fact more so in the past than it is now...

Quality wise Raja Hindustani was as much of a cringefest as Mela (I compare the two films because they are from the same makers, if I am not wrong), both boasting obnoxiously loud performances by Aamir.

One of the worst ever

I agree Raja Hundustani was horrible did not like when it released, instead loved Khamoshi SLB best work according to me.

Originally posted by: Muskie

Raja Hindustani got the award for the best film??????

Originally posted by: Rekha_ji

But in 1992 Lamhe won Best Film, and it was a huge flop. Saajan was a blockbuster but it didn't win. That analogy is false.

It's hard to say. Some years certain films just win Best Film even if movie fans find them astounding.

Like for me I can't believe Koi Mil Gaya won in 2004 or Dabangg in 2011!

Lamhe was directed by Yash Chopra, and it was a big film, starring superstarts like Sridevi or AK. SLB was a newcomer then and obviously Khamoshi didn't get the same reception.

FF awards are based on popularity, so it's hardly surprising that RH would win over Khamoshi. Of course there has been exceptions, but popularity always ruled over quality, and at least there's no pretense. FF doesn't pretend to be about quality -- maybe the nominations are based on critics' or some other criteria, but the actual awards are based on popular votes, so at least they are not pretending to be about reality. Unlike say the national awards which pretends to be about quality but is actually even more of a farce (Saif winning or HT when his mother was a jury).

But wait -- Dabangg won best film?!! lolwut? seriously? Even with popular votes I cannot accept that. Lol.

Originally posted by: mintyblue

I was just looking at the 1996 films, and Filmfare awards which took place in 1997 gave the award of best film to Raja Hindustani which isn't even half as good a film as Khamoshi.

Do you guys think Khamoshi should have won best film and Manisha Koirala should have won best actress for it as well, instead of Karisma Kapoor?

I agree with you. Khamoshi is a masterpiece. The acting of Nana Patekar, Seema Biswas, and Manisha Koirala is just fabulous. Salman added the star factor and he is as charming as ever. The songs are beautiful. I also want to know why Raja Hindustani won over Khamoshi.

Originally posted by: Blood_Sacrifice

Lamhe was directed by Yash Chopra, and it was a big film, starring superstarts like Sridevi or AK. SLB was a newcomer then and obviously Khamoshi didn't get the same reception.

FF awards are based on popularity, so it's hardly surprising that RH would win over Khamoshi. Of course there has been exceptions, but popularity always ruled over quality, and at least there's no pretense. FF doesn't pretend to be about quality -- maybe the nominations are based on critics' or some other criteria, but the actual awards are based on popular votes, so at least they are not pretending to be about reality. Unlike say the national awards which pretends to be about quality but is actually even more of a farce (Saif winning or HT when his mother was a jury).

But wait -- Dabangg won best film?!! lolwut? seriously? Even with popular votes I cannot accept that. Lol.

I think definitely there is some weight to what you are saying here. The fact that Yash Chopra was a big name with a supposed flop in "Lamhe" helped and was different than SLB's debut Khamoshi.

But I would then say that that makes it several factors/layers. It's not just straight up as saying "the bigger hit will winBest Film". Because I've just looked at the list of winners side-by-side with the Highest Grossers list from 1989-present and it doesn't correlate to a large extent.

I think sometimes, especially in the mid/late 90s, Filmfare found it quite "cute" to have Best Actress and Best Actor and Best Film going to the same team. Maybe they thought it was a good look, for the magazine cover the following month? We saw this in the winners for 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 (all top 3 winners from same film)... it was a trend of sorts.

The current "trend" is awarding "out of the ordinary" which is why we have Neena Gupta and Tillotama Shome winning, and even Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar on the cover in the last few years. They are trying to look more "credible".

Indian award shows have always favored popular hit films over quality films.

Raja Hindustani had all the makings of a nineties hit - great music, over-the-top romance, and excess drama. It was a rage of its time and people went wild over it.

Khamoshi on the other hand was an emotional saga about a singer's relationship with her deaf-mute parents. The love story was just part of the many things that complicate the parent-child narrative. As a result, despite having far superior music, and popular heartthrob Salman Khan (who gives an honest heartfelt performance for a change) the movie flopped.

I could never get into Raja Hindustani and its good to see people nowadays calling it out. I still do enjoy Jab Jab Phool Khile. Although, it has regressive elements it has a charm to it. Raja Hindustani came decades later but was far more regressive.

Originally posted by: Rekha_ji

But in 1992 Lamhe won Best Film, and it was a huge flop. Saajan was a blockbuster but it didn't win. That analogy is false.

Great point. But I feel that whenever a non-blockbuster or flop won back in the day it was more due to a production house. Lamhe was a Yash Chopra film. Filmfare used to favor popular hits over flops, it's just changed recently. But I won't be surprised if they go back to their old ways again soon.