Bollywood's obsession with the National Award

A marriage milestone for one, retirement plan for the other, what makes Bollywood celebs go crazy over this award?

Looking at the recent past, it seems that the National Award has become the centre of attention for leading Bollywood celebrities.

Where prominent filmmakers have used their awards as weapons of protest against intolerance in India, leading actress Katrina Kaif has set it as her final target before getting hitched.

The latest superstar to join the bandwagon of this growing obsession is none other than the King of Bollywood himself. Shah Rukh Khan has made it an even bigger deal as the actor reveals plans to retire after receiving the award.

PHOTO: FILE

The Dilwale actor was asked if he hopes to sweep all awards when he showed interest in the most coveted honour. “I am just waiting for the National award as I have decided to retire after getting one," Hindustan Times quoted him as saying.



Earlier in October, prominent alumni of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and filmmakers received flak for returning their National Awards to protest “an atmosphere of intolerance” in the country.



Veteran actor Anupam Kher and filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar took to Twitter to slam the 'Award Wapsi' move.

This #AwardWapsiGang has not insulted the Govt. but The Jury, The Chairman of the Jury and the audience who watched their films. #Agenda

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 28, 2015

Some of these usual suspects of #AwardWapsiGang were instrumental in getting me out of Censor Board d moment Congress came in Power. #Agenda

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 28, 2015

In my view giving away the National Award is a disrespect to 1self & also 2 the actors, technicians,audience, jury members, & Hon. President

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) October 29, 2015

Just wondering, ppl who r returning awards will thy not accept any appreciation or award 4 their work while Modi Govt is in power till 2019?

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) October 29, 2015

Meanwhile, Bollywood diva Katrina -- who is constantly badgered with questions regarding marriage plans with Ranbir Kapoor -- revealed her wedding plans saying, “As I was presuming what question you were going to ask me and you did ask me, I was thinking I would come up with a very good answer for this. I will get married once I win the National Award," reports India Today.



We realise the significance of this award, but still struggle to comprehend why one would base major life decisions around it.