The ongoing controversy over the awards being distributed by various organizations in Mumbai in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke, who is called the father of Indian cinema, is not taking its name to stop. In protest against promoting the recently held Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards as Dadasaheb Phalke Award, famous international model and actress Nikita Ghag has announced to return her award. Now famous comedian and actor Sunil Pal has also shared his personal experience with ‘Amar Ujala’, calling these awards a business of extortion. On the other hand, artists like Gajendra Chauhan, who have received such awards in the past, got upset at the very discussion of returning the awards. Let’s see what these artists have to say on this whole controversy…
Sunil Pal, comedian
Whatever Nikita Ghag did, she did very well. Many fraud awards are happening in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke. His family has nothing to do with such an award. Some such people also give awards in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke who have anything to do with Bollywood. Many such people are also getting awards who have no connection with Bollywood. When the award is given to such people who do not even know the spelling of Dadasaheb Phalke’s name, nor do they know who Dadasaheb was. It is very sad when such people are given awards. Celebrities and common man are also invited in such award programs. They take 20 to 50 thousand rupees from the common man and get the award from the hands of celebrities. I have also gone to two or three such awards, I have had a very bad experience. According to me, the real award is the one which is given by the government.
people criticized me a lot: Gajendra Chauhan, actor
See, whoever wants to get Dadasaheb Phalke Award, whoever doesn’t want to, don’t take it. After receiving the award, saying that it should be returned does not suit any artist. You deserve that respect, that’s why you got that respect. Many organizations in the film industry are giving awards in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke. When I got the legend Dadasaheb Phalke Award, people criticized me a lot. When I posted the photo of the award on social media, people linked this award with the award given by the government, but people did not notice that I had written Legend Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Raj Kapoor Awards should also start: Sudhakar Sharma, Lyricist
Any award is meant to encourage art, secondly in whose name the award is given, the coming generation should know who Dadasaheb Phalke was? Dadasaheb Phalke is the father of Indian cinema. His contribution in the field of cinema cannot be forgotten. I want that there should be awards in the names of other people like Raj Kapoor, BR Chopra, so that today’s young generation gets to know about them and we will also be encouraged. The award is meant to advance your art. They will not get the Dadasaheb Phalke Award which is given by the Government of India.
Ghar Ghar Ho Gaya Phalke Award, Dilip Sen, Music Director
Now the Dadasaheb Phalke Award has become a household name. No one should feel bad about this because no one has a monopoly on Dadasaheb Phalke. The government also gives awards in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke and other people are also giving them, but Dadasaheb Phalke is not fake, is he? It is definitely that once in every three to four months, an award is given in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke. I am neither in favor of discontinuing this award nor in favor of starting it. Many people go home with this award show. There are many programs on Rafi Sahab’s birthday and his death anniversary. Somebody’s house is running with such a program. It is heard that people give awards by taking money, but I do not believe in this.