We have our awards and then we have their awards. And with an Indian film (even via Canada) yet to win an Oscar, we still have to build a bridge over troubled Water.

If Filmfare Awards (Sony) on Sunday and Academy Awards (Star Movies) symbolised the difference between them and us, it also revealed that while they were looking increasingly outward, we prefer to contemplate our navel. A power failure cut short our contemplation of Filmfare Awards, but several degrees of separation were apparent: we had Shah Rukh Khan as host, they Ellen De Generes — Bollywood’s reigning king up against a popular TV talk show host. Shah Rukh was funny (although Amitabh Bachchan did not look amused), De Generes funnier. They sang (Celine Dion), we danced (Sridevi). Our film awards are a vast panoply of colour and movement. The Oscars is a sober men in black and white affair: Ours is a buffet, theirs a formal sit down dinner.

What distinguishes them is finesse, style and graciousness. Forget that many of those present have checked in and out of rehab, been arrested for violence, abusive/racist language and other dysfunctional behaviour. On the night, Hollywood spits and polishes its image and appears at its best. And to help achieve this, it looked to the world: There were more presenters from Europe and Asia than ever before. Is Hollywood going global or is the world coming to Los Angeles?

Back to our fave sport. A month before the contest, the game began. Did it ever stop? When last did you watch a news bulletin without cricket and/or the Indian cricket team? That’s like asking when was the last time you didn’t see Amitabh Bachchan or Rakhi Sawant on TV. Never.

... contd.