2009 is paling in comparison to all the yesteryears of Cinema. It would be over three months now and I am yet to be impressed with any of its products. The silver lining in the cloud has however been the Awards ceremonies of Cine World. At last something new and encouraging was happening there. Continuing with the Oscar fever , I had all my eyes for Film fare awards too, though ironically I feel that 2008 has been a year when Bollywood has churned out very few commendable movies. But still probably this is the first time India got approbation in the international scenario. Slumdog Millionaire bought us pride and AR Rehman flew right from one ceremony into the other. The Idea 54th Filmfare awards 2009.
Back home it was not Slumdog but, Jodhaa Akbar, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Ghajini and Rock On!! , who were the main contenders of the race. Now long back I had stopped questioning the mode of choice and the way the movies entered the award arena. I wondered at the credibility of Jaane and RNBDJ (though somehow I knew it would be there), but more than that I missed Dasvidaniya terribly. The nomination list did not even show one nomination in its name!! Vinay Pathak was chosen for RNBDJ but not Dasvidaniya(wish better sense had prevailed!!)
Despite everything I sat glued to the TV for the primary reasons that SRK and Saif were not hosting the show(great news), replacing them were Ranbir and Imran (??). The red carpet entry was ok of sorts, Mini Mathur was svelte and charming, her co host had a terrible sense of humor and I liked Shreya Ghosal referring her gown as a spare red carpet! (It did appear like one!).
The technical category awards surprised me. I had not paid much attention to the nominees and Oye Lucky Lucky Oye was the least contender on my mind. Besides the Critics award for Manjot Singh ( I found no issues with that) , I don’t think it deserved to be a contender at all. While A Wednesday sat in the corner nominated and forgotten! Mumbai Meri Jaan was still a better bet.
Ranbir and Imraan were surprisingly good with a decent sense of humor. Much better than the receding and stale compeering of Shahrukh, Karan& Saif. In fact Johar was still lurking in the background even this time, but he could not undermine them. Bachchan Jr’s cheering just added to their show. It was great to see Konkona joining them along with her natural charm. Deepika Padukone and her stony face could have been done without. Performance wise It was refreshing to have Farhaan Akhtar , while all others like Katrina, Shahid , Bips and Neil Nitin Mukesh and AB jr offered nothing new(Thank God for missing Akshay and his drastic entries). SRK trying-to-act-witty spoke of bad timing, especially just post the emotional moment of Om Puri’s Lifetime Achievement award. Wish the whole industry and sponsors stopped being so desperate to please him becaz this was one act we could have done without. He did try to cover up the act by honoring and sweet talking to Slumdog’s child actors.
Anyways if we forget these few slips and recollect some really impressionable moments:
+ Ranbir Kapoor hitting it below the belt to Imraan “Kam se kam mere parivaar waale awards lene to aate hain”
+A R Rehman specifically giving a clear tribute to wife saying that hope he doesn’t get b* chd about this time, for forgetting her.
- Om Puri getting a lifetime achievement award, truly deserving and long due.
+Rekha getting the Blush Award for the pickup line of “Dil cheez kya hai aap meri jaan lijiye, marzi hai aapki , chahe toh aadha ranbeer ya phir poora imraan lijye”. An act put in by Imran and Ranbeer.
+Manjot’s speech on the award , cute and endearing.
+Shabana Azmi telling Prateik and Purab “Work harder next year!”
On and on the show was impressive and complete, glitz and glamour were present in loads and it felt good to see some fresh faces. Yash Raj Studios seemed like a good venue, and if the whole idea was to get a favor becaz of this, it did not work!In fact for the first time the awards did not go to any Kapoors, Bachchans, Khans, Johar and YRF.This year Filmfare clearly stated the fact that industry is not at the disposal of few. New talent got recognition and it was commendable to see next door faces winning awards.Though still some real talent was missing from the limelight but I can see progress happening in that direction. Consequently I respected the clean sweep of Jodha Akbar with Rock On being the first runner up. Questioned on Aishwarya missing it to Priyanka Chopra( who, when and why??).Applauded to Shahana Goswami and Nishikanth Kamath and gave a standing ovation to Bhanu Athaiya (revelation of sorts), Om Puri and AR Rehman. Questioned on Roshans’ absence, till it became clear that ailing Pinky Roshan was the reason behind it(I hope so and wish that they don’t add to the list of people boycotting the show). Loved the insertion of certificate of merit for Prateik Babbar and Purab Kohli .
My last review stated a change in the tastes of cinegoer, and now I see the same change being reflected in awards too. It was welcoming to see that none of the big wigs crowed the stage, the manner was not patronizing and due recognition was given to the talent. If just they could have added a little more deserving candidates and gone on quality rather than popularity, it would have worked out perfectly. Though cant blame them becaz they have to give their due to the buck earners and go with the masses.
Summing up Filmfare seems to be revolutionizing with the trends, a little more effort and we wont be far away from reaching the parameters. An ambitious thought but not an impossible one!
My Ratings :3.5 Stars