Is it IIFA or a Bachchan family show?

The 10th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend 2008 (6-8 June) is taking place in Bangkok, Thailand amid a nagging controversy- What's it? IIFA or showcasing Bachchans? Shah Rukh Khan didn't show up the last time in Leeds, Yorkshire, and won't do it in Bangkok. There were many who noticed a blatant shift towards Bachchans at the 7th IIFA in Amsterdam. Since then it's an 'all Bachchans show,' critics say. "IIFA is often derided as the Bachchan family show in India and called the Bollywood Oscars in the foreign media and the host country," says PTI, considered to be India's semi-official news agency in a report Friday, June 6.

IIFA opened in the capital of Thailand with glitz and glamour, expecting 500 Bollywood celebrities. Opening up new markets, bilateral trade and tie-ups with India, IIFA has pioneered the cause of Indian cinema, leveraging it as a platform to ‘build bridges’ between communities and nations, organisers claim.

In its nine years of existence, the IIFA has travelled to three continents and nine locations across the globe, reaching out to a worldwide audience through its various platforms, even the critics admit.

According to organisers, IIFA Weekend Bangkok 2008 is geared up to create new benchmarks in the entertainment industry. Some of this weekend’s event highlights include:

• FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum, a dynamic global platform providing the industry with an opportunity to deliberate on a diverse range of business, bilateral economic and political issues.

• For the international fashionista, the IIFA Fashion extravaganza will reflect the trends and styles that rule the Indian film industry and offer a sneak preview into the key looks of this year’s blockbuster film releases.

So, what's the fuss about Bachchans?

SRK vs Bachchans

Amitabh Bachchan promotes the IIFA premier of his film 'Sarkar Raj' starring him, his son and daughter-in-law. All three in the poster.It's an open secret in the Indian film industry that Bachchans have a problem with the most popular and bankable film star in India - 'King' Shah Rukh Khan (SRK). The latest example is an entry in Amitabh Bachchan's blog.

Writing his blog, Friday, 9th May 2008, Bachchan initiated a debate, however, indirectly, on who’s greater? Me or Shah Rukh Khan? He even used a graphics from TAM, Television Audience Measurement, to illustrate his point. Apparently, he was seeking opinion from the readers on his next move if he were to present another television programme. Readers took the cue. “Shahrukh Khan is the King…but you still are the Emperor,” commented Rasha Zayed from Cairo. Another wrote: why do you need to compare yourself with Mr. Shahrukh Khan? I just didn’t like this exercise of yours.

“I am unable to understand its (KBC- Star Television’s show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, based on ‘Who want to be a millionaire) falling interest as the graphs show despite the fact that they were presented by bigger and more popular stars, namely Shah Rukh. And now to see ‘Panchvi Pass,' or as one rival channel executive sniggered, ‘Panchvi Fail’, after its not too encouraging numbers, facing relative lower ratings is what I wish to debate on and would love to have inputs from readers, ” wrote Mr. Bachchan on his blog.

For those who do not know, Panchvi Pass is an expensive television quizz show presented by Khan. Bachchan faced a barrage of criticism for inciting a malicious campaign against Khan and, later, he did apologise.

Obviously, Khan is not comfortable with IIFA whose official brand ambassador is Bachchan. It's a clash of egos, people say. Khan is too suave to admit it publicly, but every body knows that King Khan doesn't like to be overshadowed by Bachchans- Amitabh, Abhishek (son), Aishwarya Rai (daughter-in-law)- IIFA events. There's a wide perception that IIFA events are manipulated to accomodate Bachchans at all levels.

IIFA: Bachchan Family Show!

Last month, veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha fired another salvo at Bachchans.

Shatrughan Sinha said: “IIFA stands for International Indian Family Awards. These are special family awards.”

He added: “Sab kisi ka beta hai, ya kisi ki bahu, ya kisi ki biwi (Everyone is somebody’s son, daughter-in-law or wife).”

The background to this outburst was the list of nominees for this year's IIFA Awards. A film 'Guru' by renowned director Mani Ratnam, starring son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law, has been nominated in 10 out of the total 13 categories. Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan get nominated for best acting in male and female categories.

One of the most over-rated events of this year's IIFA is the premiere of Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar Raj'. Starring? No surprises. Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan are the star attraction of the film.

Angry old man

Amitabh Bachchan, 65, known as big B in the industry, is furious over such insinuations.
He lashed out against Shatrughan Sinha's insinuations that the nominations list of the International Indian Film Academy awards were fixed.

He wrote in his blog:

"A section of the print media carried comment from my colleague and friend and neighbour, Mr Shatrughan Sinha. It reportedly quoted his reactions to the nomination list of the IIFA Awards, wherein he has purportedly stated that " Sab kissika beta hai, ya kissiki bahu, ya kissiki biwi."
I believe what is being insinuated is that there is partiality or some 'fixing' in the choice of the nominations carried by IIFA. And as the report concluded, the indication was towards one family, not difficult to guess which one.


I am surprised at this observation, especially since, during the time of the National Award selection for Best Actress in one of the past years, when the Award went to Raveena Tandon, it was alleged that Mr Shatrughan Sinha's wife, the lovely and graceful Poonam, a great friend of Raveena's mother had recommended the appointment of MacMohan, the brother of Raveena's mother, on the board of the Jury ( structured by the Govt., in power - in this case the BJP, of which Mr Sinha was a Minister of State ) in order that he may cast his vote in favour of Raveena Tandon.

If this alleged story is true then I do value Mr Shatrughan Sinha's alleged statement of "Sab kissika beta, kissiki beti, kissiki biwi" - you are so right Shatru!


Of course this does not take anything away from Raveena's very deserving Award - she has been a wonderful and talented co artiste in many films of mine, or, MacMohan, the Sambha of Sholay, who has remained a dear friend and has worked with me in several films. As has Mr Shatrughan Sinha!

And may I also state that IIFA nominations come from the film fraternity through computerised voting systems, audited and compiled by Price Waterhouse Coopers, an International Company of repute and standing.

And Shatru !! I have seen some very encouraging reports of the film, where your son is being introduced to this great Industry. May he prosper and succeed even more than his illustrious father and may he never have to face a slighted accusation of 'fixing', when his name comes up for an Award in the future !"

Shatru responds

Now, this was Shatrughan Sinha's turn to respond. He replied in a television interview:

“I don’t know why Bachchan is taking these things personally...I am not talking about fixing of IIFA awards only, but I am saying about every award...Amitabh is bigger than me in film industry and he knows the truth. I am in film industry for last 35 years and I don’t have to tell how the awards are given.”

Sinha suggested there was bound to be a conflict of interest as long as Amitabh Bachchan was the brand Ambassador of IIFA.

'Taare Zamin Par' excluded from IIFA

Sinha also questioned why Aamir Khan’s blockbuster and highly acclaimed film ‘Taare Zameen Par’ did not get a single nomination for this year's awards.

According to Amitabh Bachchan, the film's producer Aamir Khan did not formally apply for a nomination in any award category this year.

"Aamir does not believe in awards and he has remained away from it for personal reasons ... if he doesn't fill in a form as producer, then the film doesn't come up for nomination," Bachchan told reporters at the time of nominations.

Now, it's for the readers to decide whether IIFA stands for showcasing Bachchans or the awards are really the equivalent of the Oscars.