Bollywood reacts to why Aamir Khan has made an exception to his no-awards policy

Aamir Khan made a rare appearance to accept an award conferred to him by US for tackling social issues through 'Satyamev Jayate'. But what has created a buzz is that although he chose to attend the function abroad, when in India, he keeps away from attending any award functions. Let’s see what his colleagues from Bollywood have to say about it. Subhash Ghai: “In one word: authenticity. That word says it all. Aamir prefers authenticity. Others treat awards as a celebration.” Ashoke Pandit: “Aamir knows all Indian awards have become television events. If you perform at an awards function you get an award. Whichever star has a strong lobby plays a very important role in getting an award. Moreover Satyamev Jayate was a show on crucial social issues which Indian awards organizers failed to recognize. As usual we wait for the West to recognize our talent before we follow suit.” Komal Nahata: “I think Aamir shuns awards functions in India as he feels they lack honesty and integrity. He has agreed to accept the award in the US because it appears credible. I don’t think he has anything against awards per se. It’s the frivolity and cosmetic nature of some awards functions in India which has put him off popular awards functions.” Prasoon Joshi: “To accept or not is a personal decision. I have always known Aamir to have extreme clarity of thought and intent and I’ll always respect his decisions. Satyamev Jayate is a unique show and a sincere attempt at being an instrument of social change. The show has made a huge impact and inspired the collective Indian conscience to be awakened.” Anant Mahadevan: “I guess television makes a difference. Getting recognition for a socially relevant show like Satyamev Jayate must have spurred Aamir to accept the award. And didn’t he go for the Oscars when he was nominated? He has made his no-show policy applicable only to rigged Indian awards. And he is liberty to break that policy when he wishes. We can’t hold it against him.” (PS: Most Bollywoodians refrained from comment, one smart-alec director responded, ‘I don’t give a flying f...k’ and a stalwart actress drawled, ‘Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn’).