Once upon a time, not so long ago, the National Film Awards were the most coveted honour in Indian cinema; a rare sanctuary where craft mattered more than commerce, and performances stood tall above politics. But the 71st edition that was rolled out this year lays bare the sad truth that even this sacred space is no longer safe from the grubby paws of political puppeteering and populist pandering.

The National Film Awards, once awaited with eager hope by artists and artisans alike, are now a stage where mediocrity, masquerading as nationalism, takes a victory lap. In this year's awards, two decisions stood out -- not because they were outstanding, but because they were outrageously out of line and reeked of such brazen political choreography that the stench is hard to ignore.

The first is the cruel joke disguised as a 'joint' Best Actor award. Shah Rukh Khan's award for Jawan can only be seen as a punch in the gut of merit! Vikrant Massey's performance in 12th Fail was nothing short of phenomenal. It was rooted, it was restrained, and it was deeply human. It was the kind of acting that does not need background music to shout its worth. Vikrant carried the emotional weight of a small-town boy's impossible dream with heartbreaking authenticity. He was not performing; he became Manoj!

And then came the slap, disguised as a certificate, in the form of a joint award to Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan. Let’s be honest, Jawan is a circus; an entertaining one, no doubt, but a circus nonetheless. Shah Rukh's performance was less acting and more stunt work strung together by punchlines and slow-motion struts. That's fine for a mass commercial potboiler, but to elevate it to the same pedestal as Massey's haunting portrayal is like giving a Pulitzer to a street juggler because the crowd clapped louder... sad!

One could almost hear the........

© Mathrubhumi English