rulinian‘s heartfelt post about Return of the King sweeping the Oscars deserves an Oscar of its own. Best Fangirl Rave to rulinian ! Huzzah!
That said, and the awards over and done with, and the collective fanboy-girl community sated, let us now – for a brief part of a post – look at our own Indian Oscars – the Filmfare Awards, shall we?
I will admit that once upon a time, I would look forward to watching the Filmfare awards live on TV. Fact is, Filmfare was the only event you could see AR Rahman performing live ( anyone remember the time he did the Fire theme onstage? ), not to mention other stalwarts of the Indian “scene”, including Baba Sehgal ( Phillum Phillum rap Hey Hey ), Shiamak Davar ( the guy who cursed choreography in Indian movies to an eternity of the toned-jazz-dancer-oin-bodysuits-prancing-around syndrome ), and all the other wannabes of that age. Then you had different actors and actresses dancing to the charttopping songs of the past year. And then you had the actual awards, which would be fun – because I would quarrel with my sister over who’s going to get the next award. ( This rivalry of ours was pretty standard – she would root for all the “family” movies, and I would vouch for the “other” types. Like Dilwale Dulhaniya etc against Rangeela, for instance )
Flick an eye over the list of winners for this year. The Best film, best actor and the Best Director has been won by Koi Mil Gaya. Neat, isn’t it? A film that takes its basic premise from ET and Forrest Gump, its key sequence from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the key music from Kraftwerk‘s Trans-Europe Express, and features a lot of mindnumbingly cheesy effects, characters and situations walks away with such awards.
Look at the other awards. You have Jaya Bachhan winning the best Supporting actress award for Kal Ho Na Ho, for a role in which she alternately sheds tears, prays to guardian angels, and sheds some more tears. Best Supporting Actor to Saif Ali Khan for doing something, I suspect, he does in real life. Play the fool, in case you didn’t get it.
You have something called the Best Filmfare Power Award. Whatever that means. Shah Rukh Khan & Amitabh Bachchan win it, which makes it pretty clear that Filmfare tries to keep Pretty-Boy Shahrukh happy by giving him something just to make up for him not winning the Best Actor award. The Best Motolook Award to Saif Ali Khan, for looking like Saif Ali Khan in a slightly formal dress. Best Filmfare Special Award ( Best and Special in the same title, right? ) to Kareena Kapoor for Chameli. My best guess would be they didn’t want to subjected to one of Kareena’s pouts. Or maybe Pritish Nandy pulled some strings.
The music awards are the only ones that seem sane. Thank God someone like Himesh Reshammiya didn’t get the best Music. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Kudi Ghooma notwithstanding gave a very fresh musical sheen to Kal Ho Na Ho, even with the cliched situations that form the basis of the songs. I heard Jism very recently, and Shreya Ghoshal did a very good job with the vocals.
Another catastrophic decision from the Filmfare committee – best action for Qayamat. Ahahahaha. Has anyone seen Qayamat? I have. The action scene are all based on the following laws – (a) Bombs shall explode very Photoshopically, and (b) With every Photoshopic bomb explosion, Ajay Devgan will fly in slowmotion and wallop five pesky villain-buggers. A corollary to those laws would be (c) Ajay Devgan’s expression shall not change throughout the explosion-followed-by-walloping.
Munnabhai MBBS was one movie that got it’s due share of honours. The cynical part of me says that this was only because it was released towards the end of the year, and following the rule by which the Filmfares are given, the newest films make the most out of the nominations.
Proof of Twistedness of the Filmfare Awards#1: Teen Deewarein, in my opinion the only non-Ram Gopal Verma film that was watchable in 2003 got something called Best Story. Not Best Screenplay, mind you, best Story. Something like saying – oh, that was a nice idea – here, you deserve something for that.
Proof of Twistedness of the Filmfare Awards#2: Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon was not even nominated. A brilliant performance by Rajpal Yadav, a great storyline, good direction, and none of it mattered, eh?
I had very strong reservations about watching Ab Tak Chhappan, which is very odd because all Factory-made films ( Ramgopal Verma’s production house is called, very cheekily, The Factory ) are all not-to-be-missed in my humble movie-going schedule. Part of it was because of the disappointing storylines of all Indian cop-movies. ( The sleekly-begun Khakee meanders off to a 70’s style Bachhan fist-fest by the second half ), and partly because I was sceptical about what a film can say about a police Inspector who is an Encounter Specialist without reading (er, screening? ) like a documentary.
A pleasant surprise! The film manages to blow away cop-drama cliches without straying into documentary territory. I loved Nana Patekar’s acting – a far cry from his over-the-top screeches and yowls. The shift in demeanour when he gets a call from a superior officer. The matter-of-fact way in which he handles his job. The way he carries on a conversation with a Dubai don seems a little far-fetched, but the dialogue makes up for it. Brilliant!!
This was in the offing for a long time, but adgy‘s poll, and his analysis of the results convinced me. I watched John Woo‘s The Killer last night, in one sitting. I think I saw it too late in my life, I could see the ghosts of a million Hindi movies that came after it. Maybe foetuses, not ghosts. Chow Yun Fat is cool, all right. He’s best described by the guy playing the cop, Danny Lee – “He looks determined… without being ruthless. He’s different from other murderers. He doesn’t look like a killer. He comes across so calm… acts like he has a dream… eyes filled with passion.”
But I still think Bruce Campbell is cooler. Hah!
But Filmfare awards were like that even in ‘good old days’ – did Aamir get the award for Rangeela? No, Shahrukh did for ‘DDLJ’ ….. even better, Aamir missed out with ‘JJWS’ while Anil Kapoor got it for ‘Beta’ !!
And what did Aamir finally get it for? ‘Raja Hindustani’, for crying out loud !!
They are, after all ‘popular’ awards – and what could bring that out better than ‘Ye kaali kaali aankhen’ getting the nod over ‘Dil hoon hoon kare’ ?
Nothing new there, then.
He doesn’t look like a killer. He comes across so calm… acts like he has a dream… eyes filled with passion.”
So do some famous terrorists ……
What I meant by the “good old days” was the time I actually looked forward to seeing them, that is, my pre-beatzo days, not the “good old days of the Filmfare awards”. There were no good old days of the Filmfares. Then, the viewability of the Awards was also enhanced by expectation – seeing ARR live, for instance, or even stars dancing around – that was a novelty in pre-Cable days. Now you may have a dozen channels airing this-tribute function and that-award function, so there’s no need to look forward to One Night of the Year.
So do some famous terrorists ……
Yes. Of course. But this is Chow Yun Fat and his coolness I am talking about. He’s supposed to be this Killer with a heart, kind of a Jesus-Christ character blah blah. *sigh* Watch the movie.
Agreed, agreed, and i’ve seen the movie – liked it, Chow Yun Fat included.
Also made me look forward to other movies from John Woo – but then MI-2 happened :-)
Please don’t take filmfare seriously.
How can you say that?? You won the Best Supporting Actor award last year!
I was particularly impressed with the Background score in Ab Tak Chappan. Neat!!
And Shahrukh has an award ceremony of his own, didn’t you know?? It also goes by the name of Zee Cine Awards. It’s where Shahrukh blows his collection of trumpets…
Filmfare stopped making sense long back.
target=”_blank”>Sarika
Last I heard, Shahrukh got mauled by Amar Singh at the Zee Cine Awards this year. Ahahahahaha!
background score in ATC
Salim-Sulaiman, the duo have scored some fabulous background scores..
RGV regulars..they do a good job in ATC ‘cept for a coupla parts where its too loud!
Re: background score in ATC
The RGV factory has some standard BGM-producers. Amar Mohile, Salim-Suleiman, and earlier, Sandeep Chowta. They usually give very good music which tie in well with the movies, but lack standalone value. You can’t listen to the album and be moved by the music wihout seeing the movie at the same time. They are not…ummm….memorable.
And yes, they are very loud at times.
Re: background score in ATC
Isn’t the score of ATC the same as that for Dharna Mana Hai and Boot?
Re: background score in ATC
“They are not…ummm….memorable”
I don’t remember any of the Background scores of Bhoot, Darna Manaa Hai or Ab Tak Chhappan. yes, all three of them were very RGV-movie-background-musicesque, and loud at times. Are they the same? :-O
*gasp!* I won, I won!
I’d like to thank the Academy, the One Library, and all of you little people down there … of course, my family and God! *waves statuette* Whee!
Wait! I just remembered. You haven’t seen RoTK yet! Oh you poor girl you.
Beatzo..nice post..I suppose we are also missing out on a few farces in the Oscars themselves. The best actress award goes to a lady who plays a serial killer – specifically lesbian,draws trucksters off the road and ends their lives brutally. Theron, in my humble opinion was pretty much languishing in Hollywood – better known for her body than for her acting. Of course I say this after seeing films like Sweet November, the astronaut’s wife, the devil’s advocate, ciderhouse rules – all of which I didnt really think there was much of an actress in her. About her role in Monster, she says “it was particularly challenging!!”..I’m sorry I had to laugh on this.
I’m not really standing up in arms here for Bollywood or their awards. We are miles behind these films. Yet, the farces are classy and much finely veiled on this side of the globe than on ours. Call it a liberal way of screwing up your country, while our politicians are more forthcoming:).
Better to realise all these things are pretty much sucking up to people’s egos. (LOTR excluded.)
Navin
Heh. Bang on target, Navs.
A shout out to beatzo !! ‘ellloooo!
Next on the agenda , pay obeisance to Navin for having endured ‘Sweet november’
*bows*
Good man!!! See? I told you. Now you must see Hard Boiled, A Better Tomorrow, and A Better Tomorrow 2. They aren’t as good as The Killer, but they’re required viewing.
And NO ONE is cooler than Chow Yun Fat. Recognize!
Hard Boiled and Once a Thief on the plate, to be seen as soon as I get the cds from my friend.
NO ONE BUT BRUCE CAMPBELL is cooler than Chow Yun Fat. *tee hee*
Sigh… I’m going to go back to the UN and tell them NOT to bother dropping those comics off at your apartment….
:P
Er.is it too late to change my mind?
Not if you do a whole new post saying that CYF is the coolest ever. :P
The details of this conversation has been dispatched to the UN Security Council and the Bruce Campbell Coolness Quotient Klan. You can expect a friendly neighbourhood visit anytime.
Bring ’em on. I bet that the CYF fan club could kick their asses any day!
Without Green Destiny, he’s nothing.
Heh heh.
Ooooh. You’re in dangerous water with that one, my friend. How quickly you forget…
best action for Qayamat
best action for Qayamat
best action for Qayamat
best action for Qayamat
best action for Qayamat
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
ow WAIT-A-MINUTE! did I watch Qayamat with deleted scenes??? *off to wonderland*
I think you are confusing Qayamat with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. But that’s ok. There’s no Manisha Koirala anywhere in Qayamat, so your confusion is justified, muji. :D
err…Manisha Koirala wasnt there in either of those..
QSQT was Juhi Chawla..
ahahahaha. The Manisha Koirala remark was to get‘s goat. He is a BIIIIIIIIIIG Manya fan.
fix the tags
AND FUCK U TOO!
FUCK U!
Best Filmfare Special Award ( Best and Special in the same title, right? ) to Kareena Kapoor for Chameli. My best guess would be they didn’t want to subjected to one of Kareena’s pouts. Or maybe Pritish Nandy pulled some strings.
Completely agree…. Chameli is about the stupidest and aimless movie I have ever seen (at least in the recent past)
The songs were good, though. What a waste!
Oscars
Ye ye ye!!! Sean Penn Won and about time too :D. I first saw him in *We are no angels*. De Niro got the major footage but Sean Penn’s performance was subdued and classic.
I saw Dead Man Walking, and that’s all the Sean Penn I saw. Wasn’t he married to Madonna sometime back? Or am I getting myself confused here?
I was actually hoping against hope for Johnny Depp, but Sean Penn is a fantastic actor. Never caught Mystic River though.
As for the Filmfares.. they don’t even cater to popular audience tastes anymore… just whoever the editors like, and whoever performs in their functions for free. My favorite performance last year was by Naseer in 3 deewarein, but who listens to me anyways.
Sean Penn
yea, he was married to Madonna long time ago..they even made a stupid movie together.. Shanghai Surprise i think..
apart from that, he’s a brilliant actor n deserved the award man..
Dead Man Walking was brilliant, have seen these apart from the above 2: U-Turn, The Game, The Thin Red Line, We’re No Angels, Carlito’s Way, Colours, I Am Sam..
have to see..21 Grams n Mystic River[better print]
awards?
well well well.. i seriously miss the days when the filmfare awards were the only ones aorund.. one night a year man… these days, vry1 with a load of money n channel is hostin one..n givin it away on what basis, only they know..
abt the oscars, i think they’re pretty fair.. Charlize Theron mmm..
have to see Monster to comment.. but the bad part was..where was THE BRIDE!!! a nomination atleast.. take out the katanas ppl.. academy members have to b taught a lesson..
3 Deewaren was a very good movie..perhaps the best of last year.. but then again..its not nemore abt how well a movie does or how many awards it gathers.. all personal these days.. esp. hated the sister-act by the Karisma/Kareena.. y is the need for announcement after announcement of each other’s supposed brilliance??? last heard they were both drunk n smokin in some hotel.. sheeeeeeeeeesh
Ab Tak Chappan.. one more from the factory.. Nana is the COOLEST!
the usual RGV feel ..one more new director.. Shimit Amin does a pretty good job.. the encounter scenes r very realistic, colourful diaogues.. good acting.. somewhat flawed story-line.. i mean, if a known gang sharp-shooter escapes from court it obviously deals a blow to the police n there is nuthin they wanna do more then to catch the guy..in the movie they kill him but they keep it a secret..Y???
this apart..the movie was good..
John Woo n his HongKong connection…dude..his movies were brilliant when he had the creative liberty to blow up half of hongkong n use up all the bullets there.. The Killer is one of his best..Chow Yun Fat is also cool but not as cool as Nana..also check out the other movies that were mentioned by … like A Better Tomorrow 1[Aatish!] n 2
nethin feat. Show Yun Fat for the matter..
ciao
are you coming to chennai this weekend then?
If only. No, I cannot. Too much work, too less moolah. Will be in Bangalore on the 13th and 14th though.
heh heh so i can go to bangalore then
Pardon my insolence, but won’t it be more prudent to go to Bangalore on the 13th? We could meet up then.
heh heh so now i can go to bangalore two weekends in a row…
thank you sweetheart.. i shall meet you with a rose in my button hole and a kiss on my lips..
Rose in your what hole??
Oh. Button. Right.
heh heh I see you get the picture