Money Money it so funny...in a richman's world

Few years ago when Saif Ali Khan won the national award for his role in Hum Tum, I was like whts happening here. I mean he was pitted against Mammootty in Bhoothakanadi, I mean I agree he's a good actor and if it had been Omkara instead he would have certainly deserved it no matter who was pitted against him. But this would still pale in comparison to what happened a few years before that when Raveena Tandon walked away with the national award for what can be termed only as a lack lustre and unconvincing performance in Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence while Anil Kapoor bagged the same for his nothing great to speak about role in Pukaar.  People cried foul and there were even allegations of undertable dealings and use of political pressure.

Well the sleeping dogs would still have continued to lie if the recent Padmashree awards had not gone and kicked them awake.  Aishwarya Rai, Akshay Kumar, Helen, oh for gods sake whts happenin here.  I mean have we lost it.  One a perfect Doll who has only been able to give good performances when guided by very few directors while in most she hams or simply doesnt even put in a decent performance, the other a good hardworking fellow who has yet to prove his worth as a thinking man's actor(sorry Akshay I like you and I think you have it in you and one day you will be deserving enough but not yet),  and the last a cabaret dancer in movie or should i say an item girl of yesteryears (I'm sure Rakhi Sawant is excited, she can expect one in a few years if this is the case).  

Its not only undeserving but a total mockery of the awards, dont believe it check out the previous winners and how it is impossible to associate the former three with the same list. But with the Bachan name and money and the Samajwadi party's support inroads can easily be made into the award committees decisions.  Akshay too has the money while Helen has the Salim Khan and Salman Khan names and associated Congress support rooting for her. Or perhaps its a whole new way to please these big names in India. Why? Well they have the face, or they have the name or the fame that makes them influential, and are ideal to wield the microphone or voice slogans as ambassadors for political agendas in return. 

One things for sure though, the Padmashri has lost its aura and its no more special atleast, to not just the true art lovers and artistes but the hundreds out there who sincerely dedicate their services in various arenas that are honoured by the Padmashri every year(they of course work unconditionally and not for any awards/recognitions in the first place, take a lesson ash, ak). A whole lot of capable people though were awarded this year in various categories but these three declarations just took the honour away.  Ash, AK and dancing queen may have been honoured to receive the award but from this year the Padmashri has been honoured to present itself to other deserving awardees as a result.