The National Film Awards, long considered the pinnacle of recognition for artistic excellence in Indian cinema, are facing mounting criticism over allegations of favoritism, political influence, and questionable jury decisions. While the awards were originally established in 1954 to honor artistic merit and culturally rooted storytelling, recent controversies have triggered public outcry and raised doubts about the fairness of the selection process.
The latest flashpoint came when Shah Rukh Khan was awarded Best Actor for his performance in Jawan – a commercial action film, while other critically acclaimed performances, such as Vikrant Massey in 12th Fail, were co-awarded in a rare combined category. Critics argue this undermines the core values the National Film Awards once stood for.
Historic Prestige Now in Question
Initially launched to honor socially impactful and culturally significant films, the National Film Awards stood apart from private award shows often influenced by media houses or sponsors. These awards were not based on box office numbers or social media popularity but on cinematic and ethical merit, conferred directly by the President of India.
However, recent decades have seen a shift toward mainstream commercial cinema, with several winners drawing skepticism. The credibility of the jury system, comprising regional and central panels under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has also come under the scanner. Allegations suggest that jury selections may be influenced by personal affiliations, political leanings, or the sheer star power of nominees.
Key Controversies That Sparked Debate
- 2005: Saif Ali Khan won Best Actor for Hum Tum, bypassing highly praised performances from Shah Rukh Khan (Swades), Hrithik Roshan (Lakshya), and Irrfan Khan (Maqbool). Accusations arose that the award was influenced by his mother, Sharmila Tagore, who was then chairperson of the censor board.
- 2008: Rock On! bagged Best Feature Film and Best Supporting Actor (Arjun Rampal), even as strong contenders like Jodhaa Akbar, A Wednesday, and Mumbai Meri Jaan were overlooked, igniting further outrage.
- 2016: Akshay Kumar received Best Actor for a combined performance in Rustom and Airlift, sparking backlash due to the presence of Priyadarshan, a close associate, on the jury. Many believed the award should have gone to Aamir Khan (Dangal), Manoj Bajpayee (Aligarh), or Randeep Hooda (Sarbjit).
- 2025: The latest awards drew criticism for honoring Jawan, Pushpa: The Rise, Animal, and The Kerala Story—mainstream or politically charged films—over culturally rooted or artistically superior works like Aadujeevitham or Sam Bahadur.
Voices From Within the Industry
Multiple actors have spoken candidly about the flawed nature of awards in general:
- Salman Khan famously mocked award shows, stating that trophies at his home were once used as door stoppers.
- Ajay Devgn and others have alleged that performance-based awards are often transactional, given in exchange for event appearances.
- Shah Rukh Khan, despite his iconic roles in Swades and My Name is Khan, had been previously snubbed by the National Awards—raising questions about the sudden recognition for Jawan.
A Broken Jury Process?
The award selection involves two tiers: regional juries shortlist films from their respective linguistic regions, and a central jury of 11 members makes the final call. However, this system has loopholes:
- The central jury can override regional selections, granting them immense power.
- A small group of individuals reportedly serves on juries repeatedly, creating a lack of fresh, diverse perspectives.
- Regional and independent cinema is often underrepresented, despite its contribution to India’s cinematic richness.
Public Trust Eroding
Critics argue that popularity and star value are increasingly replacing merit and message. Even technically violent or controversial films such as Animal have been awarded for sound design and background score, drawing ire from cinema purists.
Furthermore, several veteran actors like Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Govinda, and Prabhas have never won a National Award, despite extensive filmographies and massive public support. This inconsistency adds to growing skepticism.
Conclusion: A Call for Reform
While the National Film Awards were once a beacon of integrity, they now risk becoming another stage for political signaling and celebrity appeasement. To preserve their legacy, reforms are necessary:
- Transparent jury selection
- Rotating jury members
- Equal weight to regional cinema
- Clear separation of artistic merit and mass appeal
Until such measures are adopted, the prestige of India’s most respected film award will continue to be questioned—both by the industry and the audience it claims to honor.
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