By Tanveer Zaidi
One cannot deny that film awards, whether national or international, are deeply subjective in nature. While they are instituted to recognize excellence in cinema, the very process of awarding is often clouded by questions of manipulation, lobbying, and political influence.
At the heart of it, awards are decided by human beings—jury members, organizers, and industry stakeholders—who, as fallible individuals, can be swayed by bias, personal relationships, industry politics, or even financial considerations.
As the saying goes, “To err is human”—and in the entertainment world, where fame and fortune reign supreme, it is no secret that money and influence often shape narratives.
Global Controversies: Oscars and Beyond
Even the Academy Awards (Oscars), considered the pinnacle of global cinematic recognition, have not been free of controversy. Over the decades, there have been glaring Oscar snubs and debates.
- Alfred Hitchcock, one of cinema’s greatest directors, never won a competitive Oscar for Best Director despite multiple nominations.
- Martin Scorsese had to wait decades before finally winning in 2007 for The Departed, despite his earlier masterpieces.
- The 1999 controversy which Shakespeare in Love won Best Picture over Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, was widely attributed to aggressive lobbying and promotional campaigns funded by producers.
Such cases highlight how lobbying, campaigning, and public relations machinery often influence voting patterns, overshadowing pure artistic merit.
The Indian Scenario: Filmfare and Popular Awards
Back home in India, commercial awards like the Filmfare Awards have long faced criticism for favoritism and inconsistent judgment. Many deserving films and actors have been overlooked in favor of box-office successes or star-driven projects.
Allegations of bias toward popular cinema over meaningful content are frequent. For instance, the sidelining of parallel cinema pioneers such as Shabana Azmi and Om Puri at commercial award functions raised concerns about whether these platforms truly celebrated cinematic excellence or simply catered to glamour and star power.
Though several award shows have attempted to bring in transparency—through online voting or third-party auditing—the underlying perception persists that lobbying, industry politics, and sponsorships can tilt results.
National Awards: Prestige Amid Controversies
The National Film Awards of India, considered the most prestigious cinematic honor in the country, have largely retained credibility. The awards boast independent juries consisting of eminent industry professionals, critics, and cultural experts. Films are evaluated through multi-tiered screenings, discussions, and detailed merit-based assessments.
Yet, even the National Awards have not been entirely immune to controversy:
- In 1980, the Best Actress award to Smita Patil for Bhumika sparked debate, with some arguing that Shabana Azmi’s performance in Arth was more deserving.
- In 1997, the Best Actor award for Dil To Pagal Hai raised eyebrows, as critics felt the film was more of a commercial entertainer than a work of serious cinema.
- The 2017 awards faced backlash when Akshay Kumar won Best Actor for Rustom, with critics and audiences questioning whether stronger performances that year had been overlooked due to political or industry pressure.
Such moments underline that no award system, however robust, is immune to human bias, external pressure, or administrative lapses.
Balancing Recognition with Integrity
While manipulation and lobbying cannot be entirely ruled out, many award institutions worldwide—including the National Awards—strive to maintain credibility and fairness through transparent guidelines, independent panels, and merit-based evaluation.
Ultimately, the value of film awards lies not just in the trophy itself but in their ability to honor artistic brilliance and inspire the film fraternity. They are symbols of recognition, motivation, and celebration of the art of storytelling.
For awards to retain their prestige and dignity, the onus lies on organizers to safeguard transparency and integrity—and on audiences to keep questioning, challenging, and demanding accountability.
The article has been written by Tanveer Zaidi (Actor – Author – Educationist)
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