The sweat and toil is hidden under the sheen of glamour. Yet, amidst the dark confines, is no ordinary man, but one replete with talent who rises like a beacon. The Bollywood star is that strange and magical entity. Or atleast that is what we’d like to believe happens when a star is born at film awards in our country.

Yet, most reputed stalwarts feel that a star is born out of TRPs, television rights, advertisements and appeasement. And it’s a merry-making of a voyeuristic kind that ensues… with the gold going to the most feasible, appeasable or marketable.
Balki, who’s spearheaded creative change with Paa, feels that there is a lack of credibility. “It’s like any other awards show, like the Oscars, where there is lobbying and favouritism.” He goes on to say, “I genuinely believed English Vinglish was a strong contender this time, especially Sridevi’s powerhouse performance. I think awards will always be subjective as there is a jury which comes with its own thought process. I also don’t think public voting works, as everyone wonders about the ‘identity’ of this public.”
One can take lessons from ad guru Prahlad Kakkar’s candour, “In India, awards are money-making. With so many awards, stars don’t respect them, especially if they are not invited or recognised. Today’s stars are petulant, immature and selfish. Instead of encouraging healthy competition they are hell bent on ignoring each other. I would even go as far as saying that it’s a mom and pop shop.”
Actor Anupam Kher, who’s been at the helm of breaking stereotypes, opines, “The Padmashree used to be considered a major lifetime achievement. Today, it’s losing its sheen — it depends on the politics of the hour and the golden postings one can get. The film awards have become TV awards where entertainment is prime. Everything is dictated (by sponsors). So you’ll only find winners (those who are told that they will win). In the West, even a nomination for an award is an honour. They have the courage to applaud talent.”
Among those who have seen the tides of change is actress Shernaz Patel who feels, “It’s obviously done for TRPs and TV audiences than for the actual worth. But that’s a generalised statement. The industry should first recognise talent, we are jumping the gun by going to the awards. Awards is the stage two.”
For someone who’s maintained a distance from the hoopla of awards, actor Ajay Devgn believes awards boost confidence but he avers, “Being a businessman, I’d rather look at the box office collections that’ll help me make more films. I put creative satisfaction over and above any award.

I don’t disrespect the trend of collecting trophies nor do I look down upon actors who thrive on it. As an actor, these are the rules I’ve followed and I’d rather stick to them.”
Saif Ali Khan has also recently lashed out at film awards, “Film awards are a little corrupt. I don’t see Aamir Khan getting an award because he doesn’t want to turn up. If an award is based on your attendance, then what kind of an award is that?” But if the true blue stars decide to give these events a miss, how can the scenario change? Kher is pragmatic, “I’ve been boycotting for eight years. When I won the best actor for Saaransh, I used to go to all award functions, from Goregaon to Kurla to Bandra. It was exciting. I recently attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards. I am sure people who did not win were upset, but there was a healthy climate. I don’t go as they also do idiotic things, like give a character actor who has done a splendid job the award of supporting actor… if I boycott awards, it’s not because of anger but because of angst.”
Actor Om Puri joins the collective disdain. “Filmfare used to have credibility, now it’s a way of earning money. It’s become a variety programme.” Why can’t the golden generation come together to initiate credible awards? Prahlad replies, “Because everyone wants the pie and is unwilling to share.” Om Puri is stoic, “I’m not interested in spending energy in that. Let them have fun and make money, as people do watch these awards. It’s this variety show programme shown on TV that earns revenue. Someone has to make money, why not them?”

Emulate the Brit way
“In the west, they have the Bafta, Golden Globes and Oscars. Each one deals with a specific expertise. All the three complement each other but are not in competition. I think the Bafta is the best as a technical award and the British also weigh accolades seriously. Which cannot be said for America, where lobbying is rampant. Unless you have enough money to lobby, your film will not see the light of day,” Prahlad Kakkar explains.
Yet, Om Puri is quick to caution, “No one can compare our awards with the Bafta. Nahin compare kar sakte, humare yahan serious approach hi nahin hai. Kuch nahin kar sakte hain ji. There is such a casual approach. Some people give credence to talent and skill but these award functions are not meant to honour. If there are people there, most of them are paid to come there.”

The light at the end of the tunnel?
The biggies don’t like sharing, or at least don’t like being at a place where they are not glorified. But with offbeat and innovative films like Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur and Paan Singh Tomar getting some acclaim, there is hope yet for an industry that loves flattery and also has contempt for competitors. “Till we start applauding others’ performances, nothing can be changed. We are at a phase where we are not comfortable with ourselves and who we are. We want to portray an image, become someone else. Which is worrying. The whole mindset has to change from appeasement to honesty, from disdain to applause. While I am the eternal optimist, it’s disheartening,” feels Anupam Kher.

The solution
Shernaz echoes a feeling of cautious optimism, “There is nothing wrong in commercial cinema. Let people make films that are commercially viable but also give the smaller talent a chance, balance it out. A Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who was he? He was a struggling actor and today he is recognised. I know there are many Nawazuddins out there and I hope that they will be recognised. I am sure times are a changing.”
But director Balki is still skeptical, “The scenario is opening up. People are taking talent more seriously today. But to make a marked change, one has to be selective about juries. Find out what the artistic parameters are. How clinical is the selection. Many times juries selected are not the best. To get to a level where there is an unbiased system, the awards have to be authentic, with clear, transparent rules. If all these parameters are met will we see the twilight dawn on this industry.”
Kakkar too believes change is possible if, “We stop appeasing everybody, somebody needs to stand up and give awards based on talent, credibility instead of making everyone happy. Once the industry stops the business of appeasement, when awards are above lobbying and corruption, people will start respecting them, when there is transparency. Today, it’s like a fixed cricket match, who really wants to watch it?”