While there was a full-on display of chutzpah, punch ‘n’ pep at the 53rd Filmfare Awards nite, there was also a lot of read-in between lines spouted by the Khan duo (SRK and Saif). It was easy to surmise that a line has been drawn clear between the “Over the hump” and “Down in the Dump” camps in Filmistan. The former comprised survivors whose filmi collections set the cash register ringing this year (SRK and Farha Khan), and the latter were the film-makers who as they say had to pay a price for their self-indulgence (Sanjay Leela Bhansali and RGV).

SRK even went to the extent of stumping out the ‘Na-real’ awards for what he believed were the the worst ‘performances’ of the year. He mocked at the Saawariya director and dismissed Ranbir as a kiddo, picked on Jodha-Akbar’s longish narration, and wondered if Darsheel should have even been included in the nominations for the Best Actor Award this year. He did not spare even Big B, as he grubbed up the topic of ‘not-being-in-the-AB’s-list-of-Invitees”. He was not too happy with Akshay’s growing popularity either, and heckled him during his on-stage performance. In short, SRK made it pike-staff clear that if someone is to rule the filmdom, it is he himself. And that’s one of the reasons why OSO was never panned by critics so much as Saawariya or Aag, though OSO was the worst of the lot. No one complained about the crass comedy, or the regressive lines mouthed by SRK himself in the movie, and no one said it was awfully directed. Reason: No one dares to defy the King Khan.

It was also clear that SRK’s comments on the awards nite did not go down well with a lot of people. The ‘blue-towel’ act of the Khans was met with a tepid response from the audience, while some rooted for other performers to win the coveted actor award! (Like Hrithik Roshan who put it succinctly well in his “May the best child win!” quip!) SRK’s giving away the worst-dressed award to Vidya Balan was not in the best spirit and Vidya retaliated by “You look like a waiter yourself” repartee! Now Vidya had better watch out, for having rubbed Khan the wrong way!

The Filmfare shebang also managed to pep up enough interest as it focused on the very-much-in-love duo (Kareena and Saif) as well as the on-again-off-again couple (Deepika and Ranbir)! If you remember, the Stardust function held sometime back, also had banked on the Kareena-Saif-Shahid triumvirate story and speculated on what happened JAB THEY ALL MET. This leaves one wondering if award shows are another way of conjuring up tabloid slants or really awarding the deserving performers!

Because, I was part of a film magazine myself, I know how deftly one of the most awaited reality shows, i.e., the award functions is arranged. The scripts are written for the anchors, the invitees are personally delivered, calls are made to inform the “big stars” that they have been nominated, and their dates booked well in advance for performing at the gala event. In contrast, some wannabe stars get the snub and do not get invited at all. The decision to award the performance is also based on the ‘power’ and ‘clout’ wielded by the stars than pure merit. For instance, in one of the recently-held award functions, SRK’s film, Chak De, won a bevy of awards, including the Best Film (when the more deserving winner was TZP). This was a pre-planned move to ensure SRK’s presence in the awards function. So, the excitement about the awards nite may have chugged and finally died down, but the question still remains, is the “talent” or “performance” that wins the awards each year, or is it something else?