Oscars vs Filmfare

Two of the greatest film awards was held recently Oscars for Hollywood and filmfare for Bollywood. There was stark contrast on the way both of the them was conducted . Though I am a kind of fan of the Hollywood movies so definitely a prejudice - nevertheless the difference was all over. Oscars was relayed live to the globe and our folks in bollywood gave us a stale diet the next day when all the so called suspense was over. Was the positioning of the advts more important than actually having the suspense relaying out to the masses. At least till last year there was a delayed live feed ( made popular by DD on olden days of cricked telecast) - so we have taken a step backwards.

Just have a look at the Emcee for both the events- here we had Shahrukh khan let loose and he was at his usual - self glorification and cracking those stupid silly jokes on unsuspecting winners . I think he was at his irritating best - was not able to stand him for what ever period I saw the program. Difficult to fathom on SRK's choice.Where as Ellen DeGeneres was refreshing - having grown watching Billy crystal, Steve martin, woopi goldberg hosting the Oscars - her witty repartees and the unassuming persona was quite a treat. It was surprising that a rank outsider hosting such a huge event by her own admission.

I was nearly in tears when Forrest Whitaker gave his acceptance speech. What intensity and emotions it had - at the Oscars we have folks who want to speak and thank as many people they can - time permitting. There was hardly any intensity at the filmfare -with so many awards and the various categories it is natural for everyone to win. Never understood the reason behind giving a critics award !. Even Oscar has its flaws - it took 25 years to recognise Martin's talent , Steven Spielberg was lucky with Schindler's List and George Lucas may never get one even though he is the creator of the most successful Hollywood Franchisees- Star wars. There are other numerous other stories of betrayal - the process of nomination & selection is as complicated and opaque as the functioning of the Indian government ( Lobbying , favoritism etc all potent ingredients)

We have a whole lot of film awards - screen, Zine cine, IFfa, stardust etc. Most of them seem to be an excuse to party and return some favors than any serious recognition of talent.I really admire Aamir Khan on his approach to these film awards - really commendable in the back scratching Bollywood. At the end of the day the viewer might just remember the stage performances and hardly the winners - there is hardly anything to be gained by winning leave alone a nomination where as in hollywood your pay packet immediately shoots up even on nomination. Folks feel proud on being called " X times academy award nominee". There is pride.
The execution is flawless at the Oscars - the paper for reading is held by the winners where as at the filmfare the hosts were seen regularly reading out - why cant we have a good teleprompter. It clearly shows the lack of planning. I can go on and on but the moot point is that the Indian film fraternity should get out of the dynastic confabulations ( read the names of this year's popular winners - hardly an outsider from the filmy families).

The obvious relevance can be understood from the respective websites....