Bollywood notches rare success at the National Awards

Bollywood notches rare success at the National Awards
RAJEEV MASAND

March 27: It makes for a good script -- two actors from mainstream Bollywood cinema bagging the prestigious National Awards. It doesn't happen often in the world of cinema; by tradition, National Awards have meant ``meaningful'' cinema. With Anil Kapoor and Raveena Tandon carrying home Best Actor and Best Actress trophies for Pukar and Daman respectively, Bollywood has arrived, so to speak. But not without controversies.

Even before the applause has died down, there are allegations that Tandon was chosen for her BJP connections, how films that were rejected by the Jury bagged awards, how a Jury member Pradip Kishan has quit in disgust. Also in the line of fire is the charge that Tandon's award will now help to sell Daman better. Last year too, after Kiron Kher was adjudged Best Actress for Bariwali, a controversy broke on the fact that her voice was not used to dub but that of a professional dubbing artiste.

Controversies apart, Bollywood is celebrating this rare success. The award winners are, of course, elated. ``I was hugely disappointed when all the popular award juries ignored Pukar and my performance in it,'' says Anil Kapoor, ``When we showed the film before its release to veterans like Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, they were very impressed.'' The thespian spent 40 minutes discussing and praising his performance. Kapoor even remembers his son saying, ``I would definitely win a National Award for this performance''.

Describing the National Award as the ultimate recognition, Kapoor says it had eluded him in the past though he was hoping he might be considered for his performances in Eeshwar and Virasat. ``Perhaps those were overlooked because both films were remakes,'' he says. Apparently, he was a contender last year for his performance in Taal. Kapoor has more than one reason to celebrate. Pukar, which he also produced, was declared the Best Film on National Integration.

``Now I feel vindicated in every sense,'' he says, ``We went over-budget, and lost a lot of money. I put my heart, soul and money into Pukar, practically sold my pants for that film but these awards have made up for every monetary loss.'' He says he is a little disappointed that director Rajkumar Santoshi (whose previous films Ghayal and Damini were bestowed with National Awards) did not bag the Best Director award. ``For my own part, this award has just strengthened my belief in myself,'' Kapoor says, ``God has given me what I truly deserve.''

Meanwhile, director Kalpana Lajmi is also in high spirits, overjoyed at Raveena Tandon's success as a victim of marital rape in her film Daman. ``"I am feeling both proud and happy,'' Lajmi says, ``I believe that films like this should have mainstream stars to attract the audience.'' Lajmi says she feels gratified when a mainstream actress like Tandon prepares to shed her image and take on this kind of a performance-based role. ``Many people sniggered, and asked me disdainfully how I could cast Raveena -- the Mast Mast girl in a film that she had to carry completely on her shoulders. I am glad I went with my instinct,'' says Lajmi.

Contrary to rumours, Lajmi says she is having no problem selling her film to distributors. ``I've sold Daman in India, in the overseas market and to a satellite channel,'' she says. ``Both Raveena and I deserve credit for managing to sell the film even before she won this award,'' Lajmi insists. The film, she says will be released in India on April 20. ``I think this award will certainly give the film a push, especially in urban areas where the audience is curious to see celebrated work.''