Shah Rukh Khan’s maiden National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in ‘Jawan’ has sparked intense debate across the country. While the accolade marks a significant milestone in his 33-year film career, large sections of the public as well as some critics have questioned whether ‘Jawan’ was the right film to earn him this honour.
A major point of contention is the nature of ‘Jawan’ itself. The film is described by many as a high-octane, commercial action venture, often referred to as a ‘masala’ production. Critics argue that the National Film Awards have traditionally recognised performances in films that either pushed artistic boundaries or delivered socially relevant narratives. Some have voiced discomfort with the jury selecting a mainstream entertainer over what they consider to be more nuanced or challenging work in Indian cinema.
Numerous discussions on social media highlight that Shah Rukh Khan’s earlier films such as ‘Swades’, ‘Chak De! India’, and ‘My Name Is Khan’ showcased what many believe to be deeper, more memorable performances. These films are often revisited in debates, with fans and observers questioning why the actor was overlooked for those roles yet celebrated now for ‘Jawan’. Some fans have expressed happiness for the star but remain puzzled, asking why this recognition did not arrive decades earlier when those acclaimed performances went unrewarded.
There is also a feeling among some detractors that the award for ‘Jawan’ signals a shift in the values the National Film Awards represent. Several voices on social media and in editorial columns have called the decision a dilution of the award’s credibility, suggesting that it now feels closer to commercial film awards than its original mission of celebrating diverse, pathbreaking cinema. A few online commenters have even described the win as a ‘lifetime achievement award in disguise’, implying that it rewards Khan’s stature rather than his performance in this particular film.
Adding to the debate is the fact that Shah Rukh Khan shared the award with Vikrant Massey, who won for his role in ‘12th Fail’. Some view this as diluting Massey’s achievement or as a tactical decision to appease multiple constituencies within the industry. Others speculate that political motivations may have influenced the jury’s choice, especially given the government’s complex relationship with Bollywood and with Khan himself.
Nonetheless, a sizeable section of the public and many industry peers have congratulated Shah Rukh Khan, with prominent celebrities hailing his performance in ‘Jawan’. However, the mixed reaction and the prevailing sentiment among critics and portions of his fanbase underline the complexity and evolving standards of cinematic recognition in India. The conversation, at its core, raises broader questions about what performances merit the country’s highest film honour and how popular sentiment reconciles with the choices of award juries.