“Beyond the Spotlight: Unpacking the Controversies of Filmfare Awards 2024”

The 2024 Filmfare Awards recently unfolded, and amidst the glitter and applause, a stark dissonance in the selection of winners stirred up conversations. Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ’12th Fail’ emerged victorious as the Best Film in the Popular category, while ‘Joram’ claimed the Critics’ Choice award. This divergence extended to the Best Actor category, where Vikrant Massey clinched the Critics’ accolade for ’12th Fail.’

The intriguing question arises: Why do box office hits dominate major categories, leaving nuanced performances with the Critics Choice Award as their sole consolation? This query has ignited a fervent online debate, with fans speculating about the fairness of the awards. The disappointment over Shah Rukh Khan losing to Ranbir Kapoor for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) and Alia Bhatt’s win for ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ adds fuel to the discussion. Fans wonder about the omission of stellar performances by Rani Mukerji in ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’ or Shefali Shah in ‘Three of Us.’

This trend of awarding recognition to commercially successful yet critically criticized films isn’t novel. The history of Filmfare Awards reveals instances like ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ triumphing over ‘Badhaai Do’ in 2023 and ‘Bajirao Mastani’ overshadowing ‘Piku’ in 2016. The recent denial of accolades to Shah Rukh Khan, despite delivering three consecutive blockbusters, further complicates the narrative.

As the spotlight shifts from the glamour to the controversies, the Filmfare Awards face scrutiny for their selection choices. The line between ‘popular’ and ‘critics’ categories becomes blurred, prompting a reflection on the essence and purpose of recognizing excellence in cinema. The 2024 edition leaves us questioning whether it’s time for a more transparent and inclusive approach in celebrating the diverse facets of Indian cinema.