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Shahrukh, Saif and Filmfare

March 10th, 2008Related|Filed Under

And the love affair continues; after last year’s absence of Saif, Shahrukh-Saif “jodi” appeared once again on what is deemed as, Indian oscars, for the third time. Only difference was this time they were bit more sarcastic, there were few more pot shots, and whole lot more or wounded souls.

I know I a late in discussing this matter which must have been analyzed on 1000s of different sites, and millions of people, but I had a rough week. Though I agree that the award show which actually gives power award to Yash Raj for making, JBJ, LCMD, TRRP, must not be an award ceremony as prestigious as Oscars. But hey we are filmi people, and no matter what these are the oldest award and still one of the most respectable ones, even more than National awards I believe which has become more of a political gimmick nowdays.

Anyhow, going ahead with the topic. I know that many “jokes” of one of the best “couple” fell flat on the face. But what I was glad to see was that they were rude, I remember Jon Stewart trying to be that when he hosted 2006 Oscars, but was crushed on the ground by whole of media. The fact is that these balooning egos need some one pinch the air out of them, and Shahrukh and Saif did exactly that. Whether that was Ram Gopal Verma, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, or Sanjay Leela Bhansali, everyone got the well deserved whipping. I know there are many sympathizers for these names on these boards, but the fact is these people actually came out as sore losers. Whether that be Vidhu Chopra’s comments after Oscar nominations or SLB’s after reports of Saawariya, we as audience got a feeling as if they don’t really care about us, they are self indulged egotists, I know Shahrukh is also one of them, but for some reason he has credentials to prove that, and on top of that, you won’t find Shahrukh blasting off press. He might say something tongue in cheek, but never blasted his top off as his targets had done in the past.

Some called it taking too far, but I ask you guys, haven’t you seen Jon Stewart???? when he blasts his targets off the globe every weekday night at 1:00 AM central, the whole of world loves him. His antics are never questioned but also gave him a cult reputation. But I think we Indians do not have a sense of humor, thats why for every comment, there are protest marches, some articles and some frownings, may be we are too comfortable with some Ruby Bhatia, Simi Gerewal, and Karan Johar, but when someone comes to say what we all feel like as a joke, we deem it as rude.

I thought Shahrukh and Saif did exactly what was expected and in fact deserved. I bet they can get away with it due to the fact that they are what they are. But we need more of this kind of attitude, we need to develop a sense of humor, an ability to laugh at ourselves, and in addtion to all these Vidya Balan also needs to develop her dressing sense.

All in all I enjoyed the parts when Shahrukh and Saif were on stage, rest of the evening was as horrible as Karan Johar’s voice. I know this is not a viewpoint shared by many over here, so I am expecting some feedback.

There Are 51 Responses So Far. »

Comment by rks on 10 March 2008:

Welcome to the forum Kunal27.
Comment by Qalandar on 10 March 2008:

Welcome kunal27.

My comment from a different thread on this issue: “Fari: I was going to do a brief piece on this, but you beat me to it. I started watching the Filmfare awards broadcast last night, and was so appalled that I left off after a while. I think those awards plumbed new depths in terms of the insularity on display (the sense not of a film industry seeking to showcase its best, brightest, and glitziest, but of an exclusive club where far too many have lifetime membership, and where those without the right connections — whether those of family or sycophancy — are banished to the fringes).

The whole Hindi vs. English bit towards the beginning of Saif’s and SRK’s act appalled me: what implicitly ran through that routine was the conceit that the notion of hosting these awards in Hindi was some kind of joke. Some of us don’t see the humor in our actors flaunting their ignorance of their own language (as Saif was), or of using their knowledge of their language merely to poke fun at the idea of a Hindi-language function (as SRK was). The vast majority of people who watch the awards are probably more comfortable in Hindi than English, and this sort of attitude on the part of the awards reveals much about: (1) the insularity of the film industry that I noted above; and (2) the indifference — bordering on callousness — that has divorced the Hindi film industry from so much of its onetime audience.

I am no reactionary, and well understand the aspirational force of English in our day and age. Nor am I asking for “shuddh Hindi” or “nafees Urdu” as the language of choice. But I fail to see why the ordinary Hindustani of the films cannot be used. Even if it isn’t, why the crass mockery? [The imagined reaction, as is typically the case whenever these chaps are called out, is that the critic in question lacks a sense of humor. I resist this: I don’t think I lack a sense of humor, but yes I do lack the ability to appreciate schoolyard nastiness and puerile effusions masquerading as humor].

This is a nice segue into the work done by the hosts: both Saif and SRK were smooth, comfortable (SRK’s most comfortable outing yet as a host, a far cry from his embarrassing show in Malaysia sometime back), and quite appalling. The sneering tone, the condescension, and the complacency on display, can be summed up in one word: nasty.

Very very disappointing indeed. I too felt that Hritik Roshan seemed disinterested and not-very-amused at the proceedings, and I find it hard to fault him.”
Comment by jayshah on 10 March 2008:

Yes, welcome to NG Kunal27.

On the post, although portions were funny, there is a difference between taking a potshot against a ‘friend’ (in tongue and cheek) and against a ‘foe’ (in tongue and cheek). Not necessarily suggesting these were foes of SRK or Saif, but found most of it in poor taste especially since we are probably more well in tuned followers of what is going on.

And its not even being about funny or laughing at oneself. Some people can do the laughing at themselves, but one shouldn’t assume others are the same. So SRK taking the mick out of himself does not obligate the blame if he takes the mick out of others.

I definitely feel Saif and SRK have enough charisma and personality to present an awards ceremony and be funny ‘without’ having to take potshots. If that is the only way they can attempt humor, then how can they deemed funny or witty I will never know!
Comment by Jesse on 10 March 2008:

I think the comparison between SRK/Saif and Jon Stewart really doesn’t fly. The former were just making cheap jokes, while the latter employs cheap jokes to imply something “larger”. Stewarts wit and use of humor to get his point across is unparalleled by these two.

Anyways, welcome.
Comment by Qalandar on 10 March 2008:

PS– The comparison with Jon Stewart has come up a few times on NG already, but IMO it is not apt. The only commonality is irreverence, which I agree the film industry needs more of. But the similarity ends there: Stewart is not MERELY irreverent — rather, his humor often makes political points on Comedy Central and is hence subversive, and even on Oscar night he seemed to be poking fun at Hollywood’s self regard. i.e. Stewart is NOT making ONLY personal attacks, but ones which illustrate a wider point. Whereas the SRK/Saif show seemed to be taking pot shots at particular individuals, and NOT at Bollywood pomposity and self-regard in general (the large number of in-jokes, e.g. Saif-Kareena relationship, the “gay jokes” etc., the shot at Amar Singh and then one at the critics, the straight plugging of the industry as a family, shows just how far the Filmfare awards were from what Stewart does) — the “award” to Vidya Balan is a good example.

Now some of this might well be a consequence of WHO is hosting: Stewart is a huge celebrity, but he is a Hollywood “outsider” (note how pissed off the industry was when Letterman, another “outsider” hosted tears ago, and then the following year they went back to anodyne, safe insider Billy Crystal). At the Filmfare awards, the hosts were insiders, yet were not “safe” in the Crystal mode, lending the proceedings an air of personal attacks and score settling (since SRK’s and Saif’s OWN films and personae did not come in for anywhere near the flak that others did; even all the “gay jokes” were cleverly deflected by continually reminding the audience how much of a “man” Saif really is, courtesy the whole Kareena bits. And to a certain extent they seemed like humor more at Johar’s expense than the hosts’ own expense). I agree with kunal27 that Bollywood takes itself too seriously — at Filmfare however, what we saw was two people guilty of that same mindset dishing it out to those who had to take it. That’s not the same as what Stewart does; Stewart takes on “big” targets, not just soft ones. The better analogy would be if someone like Brad Pitt hosted the Oscars and poked fun at Tom Cruise or Johnny Depp or Will Smith — that would have a very different flavor indeed.
Comment by Qalandar on 10 March 2008:

Jesse: our comments crossed, agreed…
Comment by Jesse on 10 March 2008:

Case in point:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE&feature=related

Stewart basically destroys crossfire and the concept of the show and how these shows are “bad”, just using humor. He scores the points he wants to get across in such an easy way to digest.
Comment by rks on 10 March 2008:

Your position becomes untenable when you start making jokes about known foes like Ram Gopal Verma and Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Though, I liked some of the jokes.

I certainly do not agree with the notion that we(Indians or people from subcontinent) can withstand same kind of humor what Americans(Jon Stewart, Jay Leno, Chelsea Handler) are used to.
Comment by jayshah on 10 March 2008:

‘lending the proceedings an air of personal attacks and score settling’

Yes well said Q. I somehow don’t think SRK would like it if some other presenter commented on his copying of everything Bachchan or if someone told Saif that he stole Kareena away from Shahid or that he is some kind of bed hopping lothario on public stage in front of millions!
Comment by Jesse on 10 March 2008:

“Stewart is NOT making ONLY personal attacks, but ones which illustrate a wider point. ”

Agreed Q. Also, agreed on the soft target attacks. There is no way that SRK/Saif would have said anything against an SLB or a VVC if their films were big time hits.
Comment by Kunal27 on 10 March 2008:

First of all thanks for the welcome guys.
Secondly rks, I seriously believe that we are too soft of a nation. We certainly hold too much too dear for ourselves. We just can not take a Jon Stewartish show in our stride and be comfortable with that. You watch his “This week in God” segments and though you will laugh yourself to the floor, but at the same time you will wonder where people in India can get it when a joke is poked at Ram, Krishna, Mohammad or Jesus.

Stewart every night draws the worst out of every politician, but when you say something or publish something against our leaders, your office will be destroyed, your house will be stoned.

And this is a huge problem with this sub-continent. Millions and billions of property destroyed by some Danish cartoons was a proof not so long ago.

Coming back to the topic, I guess Shahrukh and Saif hardly spared anyone. Karan is always ridiculed for his “gayish” attitude, and then “oye hoye Kareena” thing kind of reminded me my high school, thats the exact way we used to be. I truly believe that RGV, or SLB, or VVC< all deserved the flack. And even the joke about Amitabh not inviting them to the wedding was spot on.

All in all, it was a terrible night, as expected, on top of that too long, again as expected, but Shahrukh and Saif gave all the laughs. No one came close to entertaining.
Comment by jayshah on 10 March 2008:

Kunal I guess the question is did Saif/SRK had to ’spare no-one’ to make the show funny and entertaining? I found the zee awards when Juhi hosted (cannot remember which yr but think it was in Dubai and she hosted with Karan) a lot better. SRK last year was better because barring the Amar Singh jibe he was fairly funny overall. The problem I found with this years was the show revolved around SRK/Saif and this is no way to hold a awards ceremony. Should be a celebration of the industry, few nice song and dance routines but would rather have SRK/Saif speaking to some celebs and talking about funny scenes while shooting or telling funny stories then ridiculing people in industry.
Comment by rks on 10 March 2008:

kunal27:I agree with first part of above statement. But at same time, we should be aware that we as a nation are more diverse than any nation of comparable size. Most commonly, sensibilities of one section of people don’t match with other. Ultimately, it is up to us to decide which way do we want to go. And from recent bans, protests and rhetorics, I don’t think we are moving in any focussed direction.
Comment by Kunal27 on 10 March 2008:

Jayshah, your comment actually is very valid and I guess opens up a big question, do we really need all these award shows???

Akshay Kumar, one of the hottest selling star of the globe, last year demolished every individual accomplishment set up by earlier actors didn’t receive any acknowledgment. Wasn’t that stupid???

Power award was given to YRF, when it was solo Akshay Kumar who managed to show great year end BO report for otherwise slow Bollywood.

Not only that, but actors of the caliber of Neil Nitin Mukesh were snubbed for towel dropping scene of Ranbir. Actors like Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey got no support from the film industry when they managed to hit movies by their sheer presence, when some of the top actors and directors failed to make any killing.

These awards shows have actually become too centered to Khan brigade and Johar Chopra camps, whereas better actors are coming from elsewhere. It was a relief to see Tabu, Irrfan getting what they deserve. Else the shows, whether be Star, Zee or Filfare, drool over the same faces year after year.
Comment by jayshah on 10 March 2008:

Well agree with your last post to every last full stop!
Comment by Kunal27 on 10 March 2008:

@Rks, I guess US is bit more diverse than us, so is Europe, the fact is that we are the most diverse nation of Asia, but thats about it.

But as such I totally concur with your views, yes our sensibilities don’t match at all. We are a divided nation, on the lines of race, caste, skin color, religion, and now region. And especially when I saw that Mohammad cartoon on youtube, I was like, it wasn’t even funny, still it ended up creating quite a mess in our nation.

We are not even a shadow of what our constitution aspires us to be.
Comment by beld o beld on 10 March 2008:

i agree with Jay more than i do with Q. I havent seen the whole awards yet but the portions I saw has led me to the conclusion. I think the humor in this year’s awards were little too forced. humor is best when it is subtle.
I dont agree that the humor was crass except for the one on critics. and ya I do see the comparison between SRK and Jon - only diff is that since SRK is a industry guy - it feels a little more nasty coming from him.
But give credit to Filmfare - they are at least trying to be different in terms of going at folks - rather than the usual lovey dovey stuff
Comment by rks on 10 March 2008:

“Power award was given to YRF, when it was solo Akshay Kumar who managed to show great year end BO report for otherwise slow Bollywood. ”
These are popular awards. So IMO Akshay should have received some kind of trophy(Most # of hits or Mr dependable) for giving four hits.

“Actors like Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey got no support from the film industry when they managed to hit movies by their sheer presence”
These guys are carving a niche, IMO they should be awarded so that they continue doing what they are doing. Mithiya is the latest in their effort.
Comment by Kunal27 on 10 March 2008:

Again I am in total agreeent with you Rks. Yes AK Should have been awarded some award, power award being the least.

and Ranveer was just the best I have ever seen an Indian actor doing. No one, I repeat no one comes close to what Ranveer did in Mithya. I guess Akshay agreed with that in some recent interview.
Comment by Jesse on 10 March 2008:

Back on the Jon vs. SRK/Saif point, I think the comparison is just as believable as one between Lage Raho Munnabhai and a Partner! Sure both films use comedy, but what LRM does is use comedy and wit to make a grander point whereas Partner was just the usual “comedy”. Unless of course I’m missing something here; perhaps someone can point out how deep and intelligent SRK/Saif jokes were and how these made some sort of grander points on Bollywood and beyond.
Comment by ILG on 10 March 2008:

Comparo to Jon Stewart is ridiculous to say the least.If you do it,you totally miss the point.
It is not as if they spared no one.If they had guts to make fun of Yash Raj, Adi camp, I would have bought it. Heaping fun on losers (RGV,SLB etc) doesnt require guts. Kjo was treated like a personal dog by SRK. No surprise or humor there.
Anyyays welcome, Kunal.
Saif- Kareena jabs were tasteless and demeaning to Kareena.
Comment by ILG on 10 March 2008:

Jesse,
Excellent point.
It is plain absurd to invoke Jon Stewart here.
Comment by Kunal27 on 10 March 2008:

See Jesse, even I am a big fan of Jon Stewart, and I agree that he actually brings out the hypocrisies around us, out in open. Here I found Shahrukh and Saif doing just that.

When RGV came out claiming his movie as an “ode” to Sholay, it was hypocrite, when SLB slammed people for not liking his grand project, it was hypocrite. And when VVC dragged Shahrukh in controversy of Oscars nomination, it was hypocrite. Thats how I guess SRK/Saif were bang on target.

Our film industry for some reason has started to throw tantrums which were unheard off, and come to think of it, not even one of them is actually involved in social welfare at any point. They think (read SLB) that their cinema is true cinema rest is immature. Now isn’t that hypocrite? At least Shahrukh was honest in saying that his movie doesn’t offer a point, it is for people to like, nothing else nothing beyond.

Just see movie Black and white, it is nothing but pseudo intellect. Thats how our movie makers are right now. Their egos stops them from seeing anything beyond themselves, hence Shahrukh/Saif punctured that ego.
Comment by Kunal27 on 10 March 2008:

Thanks ILG for the welcome, and about the Kareena thing, that dude has her name tatooed, she has one MMS floating on youtube, I find it hard to believe that a joke like “oye hoye Kareena”, which we all must have done at some point in our lives, can be demeaning to Kareena.
Comment by rks on 10 March 2008:

Kunal27: If you are interested in having avatar.

Please goto http://site.gravatar.com and register with same email ID as one for NG. You will receive a mail for verification. After you verify, you would be able to upload avatars from Disk or URL at gravatar website. Make sure to mark the avatar as G rated. Associate (confirm by double clicking on uploaded image) the uploaded image with same email ID. It would show up here at NG.
Comment by Kunal27 on 10 March 2008:

Wow, thanks dude.
will do that right away.

Thanks again.
Comment by Kunal27 on 10 March 2008:

Hey I did that, how long does it take to get that avatar?
Comment by rohitkarnbatra on 10 March 2008:

Welcome Kunal27. One of the best first posts on NG in a while.
Comment by beld o beld on 10 March 2008:

Hmm are we comparing personailities here or the brand of humor. If it is the latter, I think srk and jon are very comparable in terms of the wryness and deadpan delivery. If you compare the brand, well this year was not comparable but last year or the previous srk saif show were very comparable IMO
Comment by rks on 10 March 2008:

Kumal27:15-20 minutes. Make sure that it is marked G-rated.
Comment by Simply Som on 10 March 2008:

Welcome to NG,Kunal27!!!
Comment by rockstar on 11 March 2008:

“But hey we are filmi people, and no matter what these are the oldest award and still one of the most respectable ones, even more than National awards I believe which has become more of a political gimmick nowdays”

good joke hope u r not serious
Comment by rockstar on 11 March 2008:

“On the post, although portions were funny, there is a difference between taking a potshot against a ‘friend’ (in tongue and cheek) and against a ‘foe’ (in tongue and cheek”

more than that it looked in the name of wit someone was taking out his personal furstration imagine in an award fuction someone claiming why he is not invited for an marriage, one do not need to be a rocket scientist to guess that digs were on certain specific quarters of industry not on good term with certain people , it looked really cheap
Comment by rockstar on 11 March 2008:

” when SLB slammed people for not liking his grand project” atleast he was not using double meaning terms (including maa, behan)for critics in an award fuction that is the biggest

hypocricy ,
Comment by Kunal27 on 11 March 2008:

Oh man Rockstar…. you so represent what I said before “we hold too many things too dear to ourselves”

See dude you are being hypocrite when pointing fingers at Shahrukh for using words like Ma behan…. don’t tell me you never did it…

You are guy or girl, everyone abuses, and everyone uses the double meaning argon, please don’t pretend to be some saint, coz you are not. No one is, because I have seen saints cursing.

So why not grow up and accept how your society is behaving rather than living in a cliched world.

And moreover SRK was joking when he used those words, whereas SLB was downright offensive in his comments, I would rather jokingly listen to abuses (which my friends do all the time) than some one shouting at me.

And I do not know about my joke about National Awards, but you know what was funnier??? you believing that they are for real. And at this point, I must break your heart once again, and I am sorry for that, but Santa Claus doest not exist dude.

And Amitabh not inviting in the marriage joke was funny as hell dude.

See you can say that he took digs at people, I would say thats your opinion, but you have to agree that it was funny. Try to see them as jokes, and you will find yourself laughing at those “potshots”.

Anyhow, we can agree to disagree if you want.
Comment by Kunal27 on 11 March 2008:

BTW thanks alot to everyone for making me welcome over here, and thanks to RKS, for helping me put my pic as my avtar
Comment by rks on 11 March 2008:

Is that you? I thought it is a snap of your favourite soccer (or any other game) player
Comment by rks on 11 March 2008:

kunal27:”See dude you are being hypocrite when pointing fingers at Shahrukh for using words like Ma behan…. don’t tell me you never did it…

You are guy or girl, everyone abuses, and everyone uses the double meaning argon, please don’t pretend to be some saint, coz you are not. No one is, because I have seen saints cursing. ”

This is personal. Lets talk about stars and public figure not about each other. It is alright to disagree with someone’s opinion.
Comment by Kunal27 on 11 March 2008:

Really??? yeah people tell me I look lot like Raul, that Real Madrid legend, but thats me hope any chick is reading this….. you can call me at 911-420-9211
Comment by Kunal27 on 11 March 2008:

I agree Rks, but its just that I don’t buy when people say “haaawwww he cursed” when we all do the same.

Anyhow I agree and apologize for getting personal.
Comment by rks on 11 March 2008:

“yeah people tell me I look lot like Raul, that Real Madrid legend”

As far as I know, on this forum kmkm13, JayShah and Jeegs are soccer followers.
Comment by Kunal27 on 11 March 2008:

“As far as I know, on this forum kmkm13, JayShah and Jeegs are soccer followers.”
Damn!!!! there goes my plan.
Comment by kmkm13 on 11 March 2008:

Leave Raul hang on to the NEW liverpool legend EL NINO Fernando TORRES..who just put us in the quater finals of champ league …hurrarrrrrrrrrrrrrry

Welcome Kunal khoob jamne wali hain
Comment by jayshah on 12 March 2008:

Raul is (rather was) one of my fav footballers. He’s lost his charm in last few years. Good avatar, easily my fav Spanish player over past 10 years or so!
Comment by jayshah on 12 March 2008:

kmkm13 - Liverpool to win Champs League! I can see this happening.
Comment by kmkm13 on 12 March 2008:

Let’s see..Tumhare mooh mein ghee shakar!
Comment by jayshah on 12 March 2008:

I’m not happy if Liverpool win. I like them the least of any team ! They bore me to death !
Comment by kmkm13 on 12 March 2008:

Well i can’t say the same thing about Totenham but a team that beat the Italian Champs 3 :0 can never be boring…We’ve scored more than 20 goals to reach Quater finals.Anyway i prefer a win over entertainment anyday.Every team has it’s style but you seem to be confusing Liver now Rafa’s team and Houllier’s team…
Comment by Kunal27 on 12 March 2008:

Man I love Torres, he never scored agaist Madrid, and always bangs in Barca….. ugly catalonians.

Even I get bored while watching Liv, but they are still better than MU and Arsenal, arrogant twats.

Ok pop quiz to all soccer fans,

name 3 clubs with curse in their names:

anyone???
anyone???
noone???/

simple

1) Scunthorpe United
2) Arse-nal
3) Effin’ Manchester United
Comment by rockstar on 23 March 2008:

“See dude you are being hypocrite when pointing fingers at Shahrukh for using words like Ma behan…. don’t tell me you never did it…
”

i am not a hypocrite to defend those word in a public fuction which is under the attraction of many
Comment by rockstar on 23 March 2008:

“So why not grow up and accept how your society is behaving rather than living in a cliched world.”

why don’t u and stop ur fixation instead of advicing others ,

“See you can say that he took digs at people, I would say thats your opinion, but you have to agree that it was funny. Try to see them as jokes, and you will find yourself laughing at those “potshots”.

why u r concerned about mine better concentrate to urs and ur fixation of cliched world , and before saying we hate to disagree first learn to respect other’s opinion instead of imposing them

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