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Oscars mean something, Indian awards lack value, says Irrfan Khan

Oscars mean something, Indian awards lack value, says Irrfan Khan

The actor claims that winning these accolades does nothing for one's career growth
Updated 29 Apr, 2020

For someone who's won quite a few awards in his lifetime, this seems like a strange statement to make.

However, Irrfan Khan clearly thinks that the accolades don't add value to one's career.

According to the Hindustan Times, the actor recently stated, “Winning awards doesn’t do anything for an actor or director. You will not get more money or better offers because they have no credibility. It’s not something that one puts in their resume."

Khan further added that unlike the Academy awards, local Bollywood awards are nothing to boast about.

“In the West, Academy awards or Golden Globes have a lot of significance. If someone wins an award there, their graph goes up. They get better opportunities and the money follows."

Even National awards don't impact an artist's career growth in Irrfan's opinion.

"Winning a national award gives an artist great satisfaction because it's the government appreciating your work but it makes no difference to the trajectory of your career."

The Jurassic World actor joins the likes of many other Bolly celebs who have spoken out about how many of these trophies are meaningless, including Rishi Kapoor, who recently dismissed the many awards he receives himself.

The veteran actor said, “I use trophies as doorstops in my home. What they've done to film awards is extremely tragic. Agar sabko khush karna hai toh phir awards ka matlab kya hua? They pleaded with me to accept it (a lifetime achievement award). They think my time on screen is over so they keep giving me lifetime achievement awards. My work continues, irrespective of whether they give me an award or not.”

Comments

Khan Feb 08, 2016 04:41pm
You are a Brave man !!!
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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan) Feb 08, 2016 04:45pm
Agreed Irfan.
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Hamid shafiq Feb 08, 2016 04:47pm
irrfan becareful may be you are next target for RSS
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Hozur Feb 08, 2016 04:48pm
He is right.he should surrender all the awards if any he has received till date and prove his point.
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Rahman Feb 08, 2016 04:50pm
Maybe he should go to West and see how he is treated. I dare him to land a role and win an Oscar and good luck with that. Unless and until that happens enjoy your stint in India. Many despite failures are happy and content that they are born in India but not this man who has it all and still complains.
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Arif Mehmood Feb 08, 2016 05:00pm
Yes, he can say that.
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Turan Feb 08, 2016 05:04pm
True but what we can do about this??
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Kamran Feb 08, 2016 05:05pm
Very true. Bollywood awards neither complaint with the public choice nor with the critics. It seems they are compatible with the BIG B and other Industry magnate. No wonder why PK didn't receive any applause in any of these Bollywood awards.
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Ailly Feb 08, 2016 05:13pm
well said both Irfan and Rishi....
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shubs Feb 08, 2016 05:18pm
Couldn't agree more...
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A Shah Feb 08, 2016 05:23pm
Didn't take long for him to change his tune. Don't forget brother it was India who promoted you to this position
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A Shah Feb 08, 2016 05:24pm
He should give back his awards and money he has earned from India to prove a point. Thought not!
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Another Indian Feb 08, 2016 05:56pm
Awards as doorstops? Guess thats another difference between a world class actor from Hollywood and a slumdog from the thirdworld. These petty "actors" should learn to respect others. Your value is not going up because you are worthless, not because of the awards.
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MUNSIF Feb 08, 2016 06:15pm
it is really too much about awards. you have to take a film as a whole, and jurrassic worldearned record business.irfan khan was really very good in the movie. he must be having good terms with bryce
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Dipak Singh Feb 08, 2016 06:24pm
you are a good actor in fact not more than good but I don't think you have charm like Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, AK, SRK or HR who single handily make the movies super hit. So Chill pill Sir & be happy what god give you till now.
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hindu Feb 08, 2016 06:47pm
he is absolutely right. most indian awards are popularity awards and are not given for critical performance.that is why shah rukh is popular.recommend see udaan. great oscar level performances but did not get anyones attention.another good one is pinjarr based on the partition .excellent performance by manoj bajpayee who plays a muslim in love with a hindu girl. this movie did not even break sweat at the box-office though had great story and acting.indian movies are escapist fare and the guy who can make u forget ur life and provide a fantasy will will win.irfan is one of the prides of india but star power eludes him because of his realism.shashi kapur with his brilliant movies like kalyug and junoon was not as successful as shammi who did escapist fare.
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KnowTheTruth Feb 08, 2016 06:56pm
it is well known that Bollywood awards are rigged. Nowadays every tom dick and harry in Bollywood seems to be getting an award. In fact, new award categories are introduced every year so that more and more people can get applauded. Bollywood awards neither carry value nor credibility. Of course, that's not to say that Oscars awards are flawless.
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Sajid Ibrahim Feb 08, 2016 07:05pm
@Dipak Singh - From your list, Amir is a true actor. The others are just there because of looks /action etc. Irfan is a class actor like Nana Patekar. They may not have the "charm" etc. but they are way ahead of others in acting.
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Peace Feb 08, 2016 07:11pm
First raise your acting standard to that of a Hollywood. He is completely an overrated actor. You will find him doing same kind of acting in every movies. The way he delivers his dialogue is in same fashion in all of his movies and advertisements. He only knows one kind of acting and nothing more than that. Go to Hollywood and prove yourself if you are as good as them.
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IndianGuy Feb 08, 2016 07:12pm
Agree with him except that I think "The National awards" is respectable. And to add, even the Oscars gets a good deal of criticism time to time.
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javed iqbal kaiser Feb 08, 2016 07:38pm
100 per cent correct. When actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Ashkay Kamar, Ranbeer singh , Ketrina Kareena etc etc etc won awards for leading roles , then a big question mark on credibility of that awards,
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P.R.Koduri Feb 08, 2016 07:52pm
thank you. It is a real refreshing read, to read these statements. It is the same with the lower rung padma awards also.
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sam Feb 08, 2016 08:07pm
@Kamran though I am also of the opinion that Filmfare awards are not fair. That doesn't mean I can write anything. FYI PK received Best Film & Best Actor.
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SKR Feb 08, 2016 09:06pm
Bolywood gave him the break. He should not be ungrateful. It will be a great disrespect to his fans in India.
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Iqbal Ashraf Feb 08, 2016 10:06pm
@Dipak Singh If your so called actors are so capable of make movies hits by their own, please give me count how many of their movies are internationally acclaimed? The answer is a big ZERO. Mr Dipak, If a movie is doing 100 crore business doesn't mean that it is a very good quality movie. Even a small budget move having a good script and decent acting can be a very good movie.The latkaas and Jhatkaas are not the criteria based on which international juries consider your movies good. Irfan Khan, OmPuri, Nasiruddin Shah, ManojBajpai etc these are theater (Stage) actors. These actors are capable of make a movie worthy by their acting. On the other hand your so called money generating actors can't do this.
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Tathagata Feb 08, 2016 10:39pm
Irfan may not be as handsome as Amir but he is a fantastic actor! He has created his space in public mind, and not among dumbos!
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hirni Feb 08, 2016 10:41pm
@Sajid Ibrahim There is different type of acting needed for some commercial indian movies, you need to be good looking, good dancer for certain type of role and for certain role your look and dance skill are not importing. Aamir khan can act in both types of movies, he is good looking, can dance and romance to women half his age so is shahrukh khan but they can also deliver to other type of serious roles. Irfan khan can not do dard e disco , he has his limitations.
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The Peacemaker Feb 08, 2016 10:44pm
Greatest Example that India is tolerant... One can criticize her...even after taking everything from her..!! Love you India. Freedom of speech exemplified !
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KN Feb 08, 2016 10:53pm
Irfaan has not insulted Bollywood He has great respect for Bollywood and India. But what he is saying is true. The Filmfare awards are mostly popularity and the National awards hardly influence new opportunities for actors. So he is right to that extent. Bollywood does make some good movies and Irfaan has acted in some of them
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SKY Feb 08, 2016 11:09pm
Mr. Irfan khan is a plain talker and straight forward. he is apolitical and the only few Indian artists who have ventured into Hollywood. he is selective and distinctly different from srk or amir khan.
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Parvez Feb 08, 2016 11:17pm
You're a bis star because of your audience.....and its mainly Indian, be grateful.
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azkhan71 Feb 08, 2016 11:18pm
Well said...if all the zillion number of Bollywood awards which are out there had any value than the quality and standards of film as well as film actors would have gone up and not down hill. I believe Indian Cinema has lost it's charm since 2001. Now almost 95% films which are produced are R rated films and cannot be watched with the family.
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ibrahim Feb 08, 2016 11:30pm
@A Shah Whether he return the awards or not is for him to decide not you, but he has made it clear that indian awards lack value and recognition.
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AG Feb 08, 2016 11:39pm
Disagree, award is award Oscar or Bollywood
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autobahn Feb 09, 2016 12:03am
Are you serious..? Oscars are given ONLY for English Cinema..! The Oscars gives only 1 award in Foreign films category where entries from 140 countries compete. Only somebody with less knowledge can speak like this..!
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Khwarezmi Feb 09, 2016 12:28am
I said good bye to Bollywood a long time ago. Mostly third class movies with little or no substance. I understand an award from Bollywood is worth nothing.
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Khwarezmi Feb 09, 2016 12:30am
@A Shah It was NOT India who promoted him to his position. If that was the case then India would not have the largest pool of poor people in the world. No, this is him alone!
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titu Chacha Feb 09, 2016 12:48am
he is right, Film industry doesn't work like that.. award simply means that your work in past film was appreciated and liked.. you will neither get more movies due to award nor you will be able to raise your prices directly proportionate to number of awards you got. even if you get Oscar, producer wont offer you more money just because of that.. nor people will stand in queue for your to sign their film just because you got Oscar. you might get visibility in internation stage if you win Oscar and might get more offers from international cinema but its about the visibility that Oscar gave you.. once you are visible enough wining another oscar wont do any more wonder to you... get real get fact...
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a Feb 09, 2016 12:55am
He aint criticising the industry. He is just pointing out to the malaise of 'commercial' awards ceremonies. What a talent btw !!
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Waheed Noor Feb 09, 2016 01:02am
True. White man's awards to brown men always have value but brown man's awards to brown men have no value. Colonial mentality at its best. BTW, do you know many blacks are boycotting this year's Oscars?
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AXH Feb 09, 2016 01:19am
When you start giving movie awards in the fitness category, serious actors are bound to loose interest in awards. This is exactly what Rishi has recently stated.
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Indoaryan Feb 09, 2016 01:50am
My advice to Irrfan is a very simple one, move to a place or country where the values of awards is likely to increase your potential, consequently more money.
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Aisha Feb 09, 2016 02:41am
Funny how so many ppl criticizing him have shown how intolerant indians are to criticisizm. He is not critisizing the industry. Just pointing out he number of useless awards floating around. One of the comments thrashed him for using trophies on his doorstep. Please read the article with a sobre mind. It was Rishi kapoor who said that.
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Moosa M Feb 09, 2016 02:55am
So it is once again proved when you watched Film Fare so called awards. It seems Bhansali paid huge amount to Film Fare to buy almost all the "awards".
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touseef Feb 09, 2016 03:44am
@Dipak Singh I think its not the actors but the directors and producers that only make commercially viable movies and don't dare to venture out or experiment with new topics its the same old story line. That's the reason these awards don't affirm ones talent and just end up being door stoppers. India's music industry is more technical compared to its movies.
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Fried Chillies Feb 09, 2016 04:11am
Not just the awards, fact is the movies are just as meaningless and serve as a sleep inducing potion. I don't understand why Pakistani watch our movies you got better dramas
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Raj India Feb 09, 2016 09:45am
These are his personal views. Right to speak.
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SKI Feb 09, 2016 09:50am
you nailed it Irrfan!
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Dipak Singh Feb 09, 2016 10:14am
@Iqbal Ashraf Nobady there is no questioning his acting ability or Talent, but he is talking about Career & money, so listen gentlemen Awards given by Govt. or Film Fair not in-cash in Career or Money it is respect to the person for his or her hard & honest work. Mr. Irfan Khan is wrong I must say, might be your thinking is different but my point of view he shouldn't talk like this after received awards from Govt. or Film Fair.
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splash Feb 09, 2016 10:25am
yes its true....there is huge difference in mindset and maturity between america and south asia. our awards and commonsense are laughable.
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Maysay Feb 09, 2016 10:38am
Eccentric?
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Muhammad Ayub khan Feb 09, 2016 03:02pm
I Agreed with Irfan Khan intelligent views "Winning a national award gives an artist great satisfaction because it's the government appreciating your work but it makes no difference to the trajectory of your career." you are an intellectual man . with my best wishes
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TRUTH Feb 09, 2016 03:27pm
Arrogance or Spiritual Awakening ? Wonder what he has to say about racism stories at Oscars.
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AutoJones Feb 09, 2016 06:15pm
Oscars are given for English Cinema. Not for Hindi Cinema. Did you see any dutch speaking actor given the best actor award at Oscars ..?
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Ravee Feb 09, 2016 08:44pm
You are absolutely right. Please return the Indian awards.
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Uzair Feb 09, 2016 11:19pm
I am sure IK's awards statement will be taken as an un-patriotic thing to say in Hindustan.
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Moosa M Feb 10, 2016 04:57am
I remember when Shahrukh was awarded Film Fare first time he spoke on stage that he already brought money if they were not given him award today. This is all business folks. An entertainment show and nothing.
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sal Feb 10, 2016 12:33pm
Both of these guys are good actors and they have good reasons for it. Most of the Hollywood people are from selected families with few exceptions. Awards in India are based on few actors performance. Take their criticism seriously and do something about it.
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Sumit Feb 11, 2016 12:43pm
@Rahman Dear What he is saying that Indian awards means nothing.. That also means that there level is not as the level of Oscar awards. This does not mean that he is saying that he is capable of winning that award in West. So those who give Indian awards needs to upgrade there level.
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Sumit Feb 11, 2016 12:45pm
@Uzair No dear.. Amir khan had said the same thing long time back. He also does not attend any such kind of award functions here in India.
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Sumit Feb 11, 2016 12:46pm
@AutoJones There is one section Foreign films (or like that) in Oscar., there awards are given for non-english movies..
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solani Feb 11, 2016 07:02pm
Come on Irfan, Its ok sometimes if we don't get award. You will get it down the road. Another thing is that do not bow toward Hollywood, they do not have our traditions and culture which is the most important.
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