On Performance and Rewards!

By Sanjeeb Kumar nnTwo incidents have taken place back to back ? first this year?s Khel Ratna award was given to Virat Kohli, Indian cricket captain and Smita Patil Memorial Award went to model-turned actor Anushka Sharma.nnIn the case of Khel Ratna, the most prestigious sports award, selection panel rejected other young and talented sportsperson like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Deepa Malik who won medals individually and are well qualified for Khel Ratna.nnSimilarly, Anushka Sharma getting Smita Patil Memorial Award means that she must have got this award because of her remarkable contribution to India cinema. Sharma was honoured with the Smita Patil Memorial Award by the Priyadarshni Academy Global Award. The academy, an NGO, selects actresses who have done notable work in the field of acting.nnAs we all know, Patil was a generation actor, who has performed in seminal films like Bhumika, where she played a girl from poor family and becomes a successful singer and actress. Bazaar and Mandi are the films where she has proved in the films that women are capable of doing anything even when the whole society is against them. Films like Arth, Aaj Ki Awaaj, Chakra and Mirch Masala are other known film where Patil, by far the most accomplished and versatile actress, brought in with powerhouse realistic performance.nnPatil died tragically at the fairly young age of 31, but by then she had established herself as an actress of tremendous ability and versatility in ‘parallel cinema’ as well as mainstream Hindi films.nnAnushka has done films like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, where the entire movie is dominated by actor Shah Rukh Khan. Then came Badmaash Company where she played the role of ordinary youngster; here the entire movie was on how to be successful by doing smuggling. Band Baaja Baraat, Patiala House and Matru Ki bijli ka Man dola are the films which was dominated by men actors; she was just playing a marginal role as a female actor. In Jab Tak Hain Jaan, Dil Dhadak Ne Do, she played the role of side heroine. Bombay Velvet was a complete disaster, Ae Dil Hain Mushkil succeeded due to Ranbir Kapoor.nnSo my question is: was her performance exceptional enough to bag this covetous award. Doing a film called Sui Dhaaga, Pari, Pullkari is not taking her to a high pedestal. I am amazed at the Priyadarshni Academy?s decision. On what criteria they have given her this award. Isn?t it the case of nepotism which is rampant in the film industry? Or was she picked for this award because she is the wife of Indian cricket captain? Does she truly deserve this award?nnIf at all, the award was necessary to be given, it could have gone to Taapsi Punnu, for her outstanding performances in Naam Shabana, Pink and Soorma and others. Taapsi is also politically sound, and has been receiving applause from the audience for her roles in films that portrayed women as capable and empowered.nnHowever, to give higher honour to anyone, selectors should also review personal behaviour with public while recommending anyone thus both Kohli and Sharma had scolded a Mumbaikar for littering in city, which was completely a publicity stunt. Now it seems that these prestigious awards are open for those who have established husband or wife, no matter how they perform in their careers.