WINNERS TAKE ALL

DEVESH SHARMA profiles the winners of the 66th Vimal Elaichi Filmfare Awards 2021

- DEVESH SHARMA

What does a single slap entail?

Probably everything when it comes to self-respect. Thappad showed us that it’s not always right to turn the other cheek. The film, about marital discord, won the Best Picture trophy for its producers Anubhav Sinha and Bhushan Kumar. Anubhav also won the Best Story trophy, along with Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul, for the same film. And Taapsee Pannu took home the Best Actor In A Leading Role (Female) trophy for her sensitive portrayal of a homemaker who chooses not to be a victim and fights back at the first instance of violence. Eeb Allay Ooo! The title will have you scratching your head but this unheard-of film about the plight of migrant workers is certainly worth a dekko, especially in such uncertain times. Amitabh Bachchan is furiously reinventing himself these days, taking greater risks than he did in his heyday and shaming younger actors into upping their game. He won the Best Actor (Critics’) Award as an eccentric landlord at odds with everyone in the world in Gulabo Sitabo. The Best Actress (Critics’) trophy went to Tillotama Shome for Sir. Her true-to-life portrayal of a maid who finds herself falling for her employer is really out of this world. The late Irrfan Khan was both our Best Actor and the Lifetime Achievement Award winner. The cruel hand of death snatched him away from us at a time when he was touching his peak both nationally and internationally. Know about them and about every other winner in this specially-curated segment...

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (MALE)

IRRFAN KHAN

ANGREZI MEDIUM