Recently, the Filmfare Awards faced heavy criticism as many felt that Alia Bhatt did not deserve the Best Actress Award for ‘RARKPK’ in the face of more deserving performances, such as Rani Mukherjee in ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway,’ Taapsee Pannu in ‘Dunki,’ or Kiara Advani in ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha.’
While many slammed Filmfare for being fake and unfair, here are 10 celebrities who fearlessly exposed the not-so-glamorous truth behind these award shows. Brace yourself for some jaw-dropping revelations as these stars spill the beans on the not-so-real glitter of the tinsel town accolades!
1. Rishi Kapoor on buying an award for Rs 30,000
In 1974, Rishi Kapoor received the Best Actor award for his outstanding performance in the film “Bobby.” However, he shared that he bought the prestigious award in his autobiography titled “Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored.” He won it at a time when many felt Amitabh Bachchan deserved it for Zanjeer. (Also Read: Worst Filmfare Decisions that made many question its credibility)
Additionally, the actor had previously shared with DNA in an interview, “What they have done to film awards is truly tragic. Agar sabko khush karna hai toh phir award ka matlab kya hua?” He added, “I couldn’t believe it when they gave an award to Parineeti Chopra for losing weight. Will they give me one for gaining weight? They pleaded with me to accept it. They think my work is over, so they keep giving me lifetime achievement awards.”
2. Salman Khan repurposed award trophies as doorstoppers
Salman, who hosts many award shows shared that he no longer puts much faith in award shows. Instead, he eagerly anticipates the audience’s response to his films, valuing their love above all. He went on to share a humorous anecdote about award trophies being repurposed as doorstoppers in his home.
Salman even mentioned that, at times, he had considered giving away these awards due to limited space in his house. Recalling a particular incident, he revealed a moment of disappointment when he was assured an award, only to have it presented to Jackie Shroff in front of his entire family seated in the audience.
3. Kangana Ranaut revealed you only get an award if you attend or dance
During a conversation with Anupama Chopra and Rajeev Masand, Kangana disclosed or shared some information, “Early on, I got dressed up for some award, I don’t remember the award but I was supposed to receive the award for supporting cast for Life In A Metro. I got stuck in traffic. I started getting calls asking ‘where are you’. The hysteria and panic that I experienced, I didn’t make it and Soha (Ali Khan) got it for Rang De Basanti.”
Kangana Ranaut also slammed a filmfare when they invited her to their award function and wanted to give her an award for her performance in Thalaivii. Taking to Instagram, the Queen actor wrote, “I’ve banned unethical, corrupt and totally unfair practices like @filmfare since 2014, but since I have been getting many calls from them for attending their award function this year as they want to give me award for Thalaivii… I am shocked to know that they are still nominating me. It is beneath my dignity, work ethics and value system to encourage such corrupt practices in anyway, that is why I have decided to sue @filmfare … thanks.”
She continued, “Back in 2013, Filmfare clearly told me that if I don’t attend their award show or dance on the stage, I won’t get awards and I made clear to them back in 2013 that I will never attend anything which is morally deprived and unethical. So when they know I won’t attend and as a policy they won’t give awards to those who don’t attend so why nominations?? Making desperate blackmailing calls to attend awards after pitted against mediocre work… what is the purpose of all this.”
4. Ajay Devgn claims the winner’s name changes at the last moment
Ajay Devgn revealed that he refuses to accept awards. Further explaining his stance, he shared this information with HT, “They (the organisers of private awards) need maximum number of stars to attend their ceremony, so they call you up and tell you that if you attend their event, they will give you an award. So what is the point of getting an award only if you will attend the show? And if you are unable to make it at the last minute … the chit with the name of the winner changes and another actor gets the trophy. I have lost faith in such ceremonies.”
5. Akshay Kumar shares that ones who perform on the show for half the fees get awards
During a talk show with Anupam Kher, the Laxmii actor was seen explaining why he has never been awarded. When asked why he thinks he has never received any awards, he said, “Award nahi dete mujhe. Aisa hai ki woh kehte hain ki agar aapko award chahiye toh jo hamaare shows hote hain woh aadhe paise mein kar do. Main bolta hu aap pura de do, aap award kisi aur ko de do. 30-32 awards nights hoti hain uss mein har kisi ko award milta hai. Aisa kaise ho sakta hai sabko alag alag kuch awards mil raha hai kahi na kahi.”
He added, “Aur aisa kyun hota hai jo insaan wahan baitha ho ussi ko award milega, jo absent ho usse milega nahi. Kamal ki baat hai kisi ko samjh nahi aata. Bhai kisi-kisi ne achha-achha kaam kiya par woh aaya kyun nahi. Tu beta aaya hua hai isko do.”
6. Aamir Khan declared he will never attend award shows
Aamir expressed his opinion, stating that he doesn’t find any significance in these award ceremonies. “I don’t go to award functions. For me, the biggest award is the audience’s reaction and love. I don’t want to comment on awards,” he mentioned this during an interaction with the media.
7. Naseeruddin Shah on using his Filmfare awards as door handles in the washroom
Naseeruddin Shah humorously revealed that he utilizes Filmfare awards as door handles for the washroom. ‘I don’t find any value in these trophies’. In a recent interview with The Lallantop, the actor was questioned about his perspective on awards and whether the rumors about him using awards as door handles at home were true. Responding with a laugh, the actor confirmed the amusing notion, “Any actor who has put their life and effort into portraying a role is a good actor. If you just pick one person from the lot and say that ‘this is the best actor of the year’, how’s it fair? I am not proud of those awards. I did not even go collect the last two awards I received. So, when I built a farmhouse I decided to put these awards there. Whoever goes to the washroom will get two awards each as the handles are made of the Filmfare awards.”
8. John Abraham has no respect for award shows
Abraham mentioned that he holds respect solely for the National Film Awards. “I don’t respect awards at all. How can you have an award called ‘Best Social Media Internet Star?’ I have zero respect for awards and they know (it). Because I disrespect them, they don’t even nominate me. If you ask me, Parmanu is worth many nominations, but we wouldn’t be nominated because of my total disrespect for every award barring the National Award maybe,” He mentioned this during an interaction with the media.
9. Saif Ali Khan on Awards shows being Big Tamasha
Saif Ali Khan, describing awards shows as a ‘big tamasha’ , shared a revelation about being downgraded at the last moment. He recounted an incident where an organizer informed him that he wouldn’t be receiving the awards he was initially supposed to. Speaking about the ‘manipulation’ that happens at Indian awards shows, the actor continued, “To be honest, I don’t believe in them. Some years ago I was called for an awards function. When I got there someone higher up in the organization told me, ‘We wanted to give you the Best Actor award. But you know how it is. We’ll give you the award for Best Actor in a comic role.’ Saif said that the credibility of awards shows was hit when a ‘commercial aspect’ was introduced to the shows. After that, he said, they just became “a whole big tamasha”.
10. Sunny Deol slams award shows, saying, “It’s all about alcohol and gossip.”
The 60-year-old actor also criticized Bollywood award shows, indicating that these functions lack credibility. “I don’t know if they are awards night or they are a collection of actors at night. To me, it’s not an award night. If it was an award night, one would go for an award night. And how do you give awards anyway? Here I know people say I will charge this much money or I will only come if I get this thing or I won’t come or give me this special award and all. So it’s all about that. This is what we are. Let me not go on that track further,” he said.
What do you think about these film awards? Tell us in the comments below.