MUMBAI: At the 64th National Film Awards on Friday, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar won the best actor award for his portrayal of a patriotic naval officer in “Rustom”.
However, Friday’s announcement has risen more than a few eyebrows on social media and Twiterrati compares Aamir Khan’s Dangal which has smashed all box office records since its release last year to Akshay’s performance as a naval commander accused of murder in Rustom.
Many felt that Aamir Khan should have won the Best Actor awards and not Akshay Kumar.
The jury was headed by Akshay’s frequent collaborator and filmmaker Priyadarshan, according to NDTV, also revealed that the jury re-watched Dangal and judged it lacking.
“I recalled Dangal saw it again but it missed because the regional films were brilliant,” he said.
Here are some of the reactions:
#NationalFilmAwards Why Akshay for Rustom? Why not Aamir for Dangal? At times I really think you guys are stoned
— shubham maloo (@shubhammaloo) April 7, 2017
Jury chairperson Priyadarshan give best actor award to his buddy akshay kumar, no wonder why aamir khan rejected. #NationalFilmAwards
— St . Sinner. (@retheeshraj10) April 7, 2017
Think Akshay Kumar was better in Airlift than Rustom. And that Aamir Khan was far far better in Dangal #NationalFilmAwards
— Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_) April 7, 2017
Akshay Kumar wins a "National Award" for Rustom over Aamir Khan in Dangal!
And i thought Bollywood awards are fake
— Satyam shekhar (@thesupersatyam) April 7, 2017
With due respect to Akshay kumar
Aamir khan should have won national award……national awards biggest april fool joke #NationalFilmAwards— Riyazuddin Chaudhary (@riyazrc) April 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/tigerpritam/status/850277925622472705
2 min silence for those who thought Aamir for Dangal or SRK for FAN will get National Award. When BJP is ruling party No KHANs will get it.
— JUST A FAN. (@iamsrk_brk) April 7, 2017
National award to #AkshayKumar for rustom?It should be Aamir khan for his superb acting.
It's not easy to gain and lose weight in few months— Ritika Sharma (@ritikasharma_) April 7, 2017
#NationalFilmAwards And they say national awards are genuine n Filmfare awards are fake.
Really Akshay?
Aamir was way way better than Akki— S (@barbaadinsaaan) April 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/Angoor_aadmi/status/850277783049691136
https://twitter.com/Jomana10541104/status/850253360821280769
Aamir deserved the national award for Dangal. He (Dangal) was at least 20x better than Akshay (Rustom). Difference: Boot-licking.
— Saif (@isaifpatel) April 7, 2017
Dangal, based on the life of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters Geeta and Babita, was one of the biggest hits of 2016 whereas “Rustom” is a court room drama directed by Tinu Suresh Desai, is loosely based on the 1959 Nanavati murder case.
16-year-old Kashmiri actress Zaira Wasim won the best supporting actress award for her performance as a young Geeta Phogat in the Aamir Khan-led wrestling drama “Dangal”.
The awards, which were spread out in different languages, saw Bollywood movies like “Neerja”, “Pink”, and “Dangal” score in key categories.
“Neerja”, directed by Ram Madhvani, was named the best Hindi film. It is the 1986 hijacking incident during which flight attendant Neerja Bhanot was killed by terrorists while saving passengers.
Amitabh Bachchan-starrer “Pink”, a female-centric court room drama, won the award for best film on social issues.
Ajay Devgn’s “Shivaay” won the best special effects.