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The glittering night of the 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards, held on January 28, 2024, in the picturesque state of Gujarat, was a celebration of talent, glamour, and cinematic excellence. However, as the winners' list made its way to the internet, a wave of disappointment swept over the netizens, particularly directed at the perceived snub of Bollywood's King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and the controversial win of Alia Bhatt for Best Actress. Let's delve into the opinions swirling across social media platforms, dissecting the grievances and controversies that have taken centre stage.
Gujarat Tourism collaborated with Filmfare to host the star-studded night at GIFT City, Gandhinagar. The two-day extravaganza, kickstarting with a grand curtain raiser, reached its zenith as the dynamic trio of Karan Johar, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Maneish Paul hosted a night filled with dazzling red-carpet appearances, mesmerizing performances, and the presentation of the iconic Black Lady awards.
Netizens Discontent with SRK's Snub!
The disappointment resonating across social media platforms is notably centred around the absence of awards for Shah Rukh Khan, who delivered a hattrick of successes with 'Pathaan,' 'Jawan,' and 'Dunki' in 2023. Despite achieving the remarkable feat of two 1000+ crore grossing films in a single year, SRK walked away from the Filmfare Awards 2024 empty-handed in major categories.
Netizens expressed their discontent, arguing that the snub failed to recognize the immense contribution Shah Rukh Khan made to the industry, particularly in a year when Bollywood had been grappling with back-to-back flops. Fans lamented the lack of acknowledgement for SRK's exceptional performances in 'Pathaan', 'Jawan' and 'Dunki,' emphasizing the emotional and patriotic depth of these films.
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Despite securing a nomination for Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) for his performances in 'Jawan' and 'Dunki,' SRK's mark was missed. Other nominees in the category included Ranbir Kapoor (Animal), Ranveer Singh (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani), Sunny Deol (Gadar 2), Vicky Kaushal (Sam Bahadur) and Ranbir won the award.
The fact that Shah Rukh Khan was the only actor recognized for two films in the Best Actor category added to the disappointment. While SRK's 'Jawan' secured the 'Best VFX' award, and Vicky Kaushal won 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' for 'Dunki,' fans argue that the emotional depth and high patriotism in these films deserved more significant recognition in major categories.
On social media, SRK's loyal fanbase flooded platforms with posts expressing their disappointment but also highlighting that true recognition comes from the love of the people. One fan pointed out, "Guys chill #ShahRukhKhan has already won the Indian of the Year award, which is bigger than any paid awards."
Guys chill #ShahRukhKhan is already won Indian of the year award which is bigger than any paid awards.
— SRKNATION (@SrknationOG) January 29, 2024
Taklu wigbir can buy an award but he can never by respect from peoples. pic.twitter.com/tEg0Ye2A4B
Love from audience worldwide is the best award!
— Shahajit Mridul Hussain (@iamsmh_555) January 29, 2024
Janta Ka Pyar He Sabse Bada Award Hai ❤️@iamsrk @pooja_dadlani @RedChilliesEnt @yrf #FilmfareAwards #ShahRukhKhan pic.twitter.com/cDWt6OMptT
Megastar #ShahRukhKhan made hindi cinema give a Nation wide HGOTY after many years with #Jawan
— Phoenix (@highonfilm_) January 29, 2024
Ek Black statue ko lekar kya bolna
Apna stature bahut bada hai 💥pic.twitter.com/izH3UVlhF6
If #ShahRukhKhan Don't Deserve Best Actor For #Jawan Then Believe No One Else Deserves it.
— JAWAN KI SENA (@JawanKiSena) January 28, 2024
Anyways I Said This 3 Days Back Only Ke Serious Mathh Lo Filmfare Ko. SRK Aise Chindi Awards Se Bohot Bara Hai Yaad Rakhna Humesha.#HyundaiFilmfareAwards2024pic.twitter.com/OxANvmieHy
Alia Bhatt's Controversial Win Sparks Outrage
Another focal point of netizens' displeasure was Alia Bhatt's win for Best Actress (Popular) for her role in 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.' Netizens argued that while Alia's acting prowess is undeniable for her last year's win for 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', this time award should have gone to Rani Mukerji for her exceptional performance in 'Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway' including other nominees Kiara Advani, Deepika Padukone, Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar
The controversy escalated as Rani Mukerji did receive recognition in the form of the 'Best Actress (Critics)' award, which she shared with Shefali Shah for 'Three Of Us.' However, many netizens believe that Rani's performance deserved the main award as the sole winner in the 'Best Actress' category.
Social media platforms were flooded with comments expressing disappointment in the selection process, with some users suggesting that Alia Bhatt's win was a result of a pre-determined outcome, calling it "completely shameless." The sentiment echoed in comments like, "So, this proves Alia Bhatt won the Best Actress award through fixing. Rani Mukherjee completely deserved that award."
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Although Alia secured the Best Actress (Popular) award, her husband, Ranbir Kapoor, clinched the Best Actor (Popular) title for his role in Animal. While a couple winning together is special, it raises concerns about deserving candidates possibly being overlooked in the process and the controversy deepened as the audience compared the performances of other nominees, including Kiara Advani for 'Satyaprem Ki Katha,' Deepika Padukone for 'Pathaan,' and Bhumi Pednekar for 'Thank You For Coming.' Many felt that the award overlooked equally deserving actresses who delivered outstanding performances in noteworthy films.
The Filmfare Awards 2024, though a spectacle of glitz and glamour, has left a trail of discontent among netizens. The absence of recognition for Shah Rukh Khan's hattrick success and the controversy surrounding Alia Bhatt's win has sparked passionate discussions across social media platforms.
While the Filmfare Awards is undoubtedly a prestigious event in the Indian film industry, the controversies surrounding this year's edition shed light on the subjectivity of awards and the frustration of fans who passionately support their favourite actors and films. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the industry and award show adapt to meet the expectations and aspirations of both the stars and their ardent followers.