Producer and Chairperson of CBFC, Pahlaj Nihalani says that he has boycotted the IIFA Awards, the mega event which aims at promoting Indian Cinema abroad. He even labelled IIFA as an ‘international farce’ and said that it lost its relevance after Amitabh Bachchan opted out of it in 2011.
While talking to a leading daily, Nihalani said: “I think the day Mr Bachchan opted out, IIFA lost its dignity and relevance. In 18 years, how much global impact has Indian cinema made and what hand did IIFA have in this?”
Aamir Khan's Dangal & Akshay Kumar's Airlift Were Not Nominated At IIFA 2017
Talking about the nominations, he said: “Look at the hypocrisy. They haven’t even nominated Aamir Khan for Dangal and Akshay Kumar for Airlift and Rustom just because they wouldn’t attend their weekend holiday plans masquerading as an awards function.”
Nihalani even went on to reveal that many actors who were in New York, didn’t even attend the awards. “They were too tired after partying all night. What I want to know is, who is paying for this extravagance? It is our foreign exchange being squandered as every top star is given tickets for his spouse, children, parents, ayahs, bodyguards, friends, friends of friends. I’ve heard stars are even given money to shop. Who is paying for all this? IIFA is selling Indian cinema to various countries and probably getting many financial benefits. But is the Indian government benefiting from this global event?”said the displeased CBFC Chief.
Kriti Sanon And Sushant Singh Rajput On Stage At IIFA 2017
He also debated the claim of IIFA representing Indian cinema abroad. “Initially we had cinema from various states getting token representation at the awards. Now we only have Bollywood. So why do they call themselves the International Indian Film Awards? It’s such a sham! Bollywood is not Indian cinema,” he signed off.
Food for thought.
Image Source: Manav Manglani ,mumbailive, twitter/aamir_khan & twitter/akshaykumar