Is Bollywood's dignity at stake?

Last night, I was watching the Screen awards show on television. The awards function, amidst all the glamour and glitterati, with the entire Bollywood bandwagon present under one roof, witnessed an embarassing moment when one of the awardees and the compere got into an argument.

Award functions are always filled with entertainment and comedy to enthrall the audience. At times, the comedy acts turns into 'comedy of errors' during such shows with the hosts letting their tongues too loose and annoying many.

The Screen awards honored movie makers, actors and music directors from Bollywood for the year 2008. Comedian and actor Sajid Khan, his sister Farha Khan (choreographer and producer) and actor Shreyas Talpade were the anchors at the show. The two men enthralled the audience with their humour and wit, in the guise of women at times. But somewhere their comedy lacked dignity.

Noted movie maker Ashutosh Gowarikar, who won awards for his movie Jodha Akbar, expressed his anger and concern over such cheap comedy which attacks the reputation of the film industry. Many of you, who watched the awards show, may agree with Gowarikar while some might think that he should have not made a big issue out of it. Well, I personally agree with the objection raised by Gowarikar.

Reacting to Gowarikar's objection, Sajid Khan said that in a democratic country each one of us had the freedom to express. Does that mean you make a mockery of the very industry that gave you the right platform to excel, however good the intentions may be?

As part of the 'comedy' he was enacting, Sajid Khan, at one point, tore his clothes and acted like a beggar before the stars. This act was so demeaning and nauseating. Clearly the act put together by him and Shreyas during the entire show was in poor taste.

Hope this incident serves as a good lesson to those compering shows, and realise that poor jokes and comedy may cause embarrassment or irritation to a section of the audience.