Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, known for Hera Pheri, accuses the National Awards of corruption and lobbying. Read his explosive statement and find out about his upcoming movies. Read details now!
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, celebrated for his unforgettable roles in films like Hera Pheri, is regarded as one of India’s finest talents. Over the decades, his contributions to Indian cinema and theater have earned him immense respect. In 2014, he was honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, recognizing his outstanding achievements in the arts. Now, at 69, Rawal is making headlines once again—this time for his controversial statements alleging corruption and lobbying within the prestigious National Awards.
In a recent interview with The Lallantop, Paresh Rawal openly criticized the functioning of the National Awards. The acclaimed actor revealed that lobbying plays a major role in determining award winners, not just in India but globally, similar to the Oscars. Rawal said,
“Mujhe Modi sahab ki government mein nahi mila hai. 2013 mein mila hai. Vo government ka award hai. National Award ki main qadr karta hoon. National award mein kabhi kabhi kya hota hai… technicalities – kisi ne bheji nahi thi film. Vo sab gandagi hoti hai. Khel khela jata hai. Lobby toh hoti hai. Daba ke hoti hai. Oscar mein hoti hai lobby toh ye toh kya hai.”
For context, Rawal was awarded the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 for his performances in Woh Chokri and Sir. Despite receiving such a prestigious honor, he now claims that only two awards hold genuine value for him: the Dinanath Mangeshkar Award and the PL Deshpande Award. “Main doosre award ke liye ghar se bahar na niklu,” he said, suggesting that he no longer cares for most award ceremonies that, in his view, lack authenticity.
Interestingly, Paresh Rawal’s journey extends beyond cinema. In 2014, he ventured into politics, contesting and winning the general elections from the Ahmedabad East constituency as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to him, it was during his time in politics that he was exposed to the alleged lobbying practices prevalent in Delhi, even among senior members of Parliament.
When it comes to recognition today, Rawal places far more importance on the praise he receives from true artists. He mentioned feeling particularly honored when acting legends like Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah appreciated his performance in Mumbai Meri Jaan. For Rawal, the acknowledgment from peers he respects outweighs any formal accolades.
On the professional front, Paresh Rawal’s career continues to thrive. He has an exciting slate of upcoming projects that fans are eagerly waiting for. He will appear alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Ayushmann Khurrana in Thama, and is also set to feature in Welcome To The Jungle and Bhoot Bangla. However, perhaps most exciting for his fans is his return to the beloved role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri 3, the next installment of the cult classic comedy series.
Despite the controversy surrounding his recent remarks, Paresh Rawal remains a towering figure in Indian cinema, admired for both his impeccable craft and his fearless voice.
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