Yesterday, I finally got to see the much anticipated Filmfare awards. To be very frank, one of the reasons I was really looking forward to seeing it was because of the over-hyped anchoring by Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. The news channels had touted it as the funniest thing that ever happened and they also featured a special item on Shahrukh’s funny bone on prime time news television.

 

Now, in the normal course of events, I do agree that Shahrukh has the gift of the gab and also a flair for quick repartee but on this occasion, both Shahrukh and Saif went over the top and the end result was crass and downright vulgar. I almost squirmed in my seat while watching the entire show. It began quite well but at some point in the proceedings, the jokes became completely tasteless and smacked of personal rivalry. They were taking insulting digs at everybody in the audience. Not that the audience had any choice but to appear insouciant and smile gracefully while seething with anger from inside. The gay motif appeared time and again, but it has become so passé where these two guys are concerned. Please guys, give us something new!

 

 I think the problem with Shahrukh Khan is that he gets carried away by his own exuberance and then he just doesn’t know where to stop. The last occasion when both these guys hosted the show, it did seem genuinely laughable but this time around the scriptwriters and the stars seemed to have lost their marbles.

 

Also, what is it with the Saif-Kareena romance? OK, so we all know that they are the latest ‘it’ couple but all this parading their romance on stage seems a bit weird. At one point in the ribald joke session, Shahrukh says that he cannot refer to Kareena  by her name since she is now his ‘bhabhi’. I get the fact that it is supposed to be humorous, but since when has bollywood humor degenerated into the school boyish realm?  …..Oops, that is a bit of a bloomer. After all, most of bollywood humor IS pretty infantile, but then these two Khans have always seemed pretty sophisticated, haven’t they? What is irritating is that more than an award function; it ended up looking like a sub-standard reality show where the Khans indulge in bitchy gossip and smart-alecky lines.

 

Talking of Kareena, what has got into her with her ‘losing weight’ obsession? She looked totally wilted and bony while dancing. God help us if this turns out to be the latest fashion trend now!  Apparently, Kareena wants to look as waif-like as Victoria Beckham. For heaven’s sake, doesn’t she realize that the former Spice girl could well be the brand ambassador of the anorexic population?

 

I thought the only redeeming feature of the whole filmfare function was the award given to Rishi Kapoor and his dignified speech. This is definitely one person who exudes grace and sincerity and what is more, he speaks well. The entire family ( Neetu Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor) has a classy look to them.

 

However, apart from this brief respite, this year’s award ceremony proved to be a total let-down. Can we have something better next year, please?

 

What do you say?