Subhash K Jha (DNA; November 13, 2014)


An A-lister filmmaker and member of a popular awards jury spoke on condition of anonymity saying, “We haven’t started the evaluation of the year’s potential awards. But it’s going to be pretty much a cakewalk for Shahid Kapoor in Haider and Aamir Khan in PK. We haven’t seen PK, but we’re pretty sure Aamir would be right up there.”

However, since Aamir doesn’t attend popular awards function chances are he would be given the snub by many of them. A director, who worked with Aamir in one of his most important films recently, says, “The awards function have become nothing more than televised events. And since Aamir doesn’t attend awards functions he may not be given the award. I am of course assuming that his performance in PK would be awards-worthy.”

There is unanimous opinion that this year’s best-actress award will go to either Kangana Ranaut or Alia Bhatt. Says the jury member, “Alia was outstanding in Highway. However, the general opinion among critics is that she will have plenty of other opportunities to blossom on screen. Kangana landed herself the role of a lifetime in Queen. She will win all the best actress trophies.”

Priyanka Chopra’s rousing Mary Kom act seems to have fizzled out at the end of the year. It doesn’t seem to be a popular choice for best actress largely because, in the words of a leading filmmaker, “She didn’t connect with the audience the way Farhan Akhtar’s Milkha Singh did but Priyanka will definitely get a nomination.”

As for the best film, there is no unanimity, as no film in 2014 has grabbed instant attention. However, a jury member from a popular awards thinks Sajid Nadiadwala is a strong contender for best directorial debut.
Says the erudite filmmaker, “There are as many as 21-22 debutant directors in 2014. But none as successful as Sajid Nadiadwala. With Kick he proved he was as conversant with the rudiments of direction as any of the seasoned directors.”