The Award and all that…
AWARD PROCESSING
AUG 10, 2007 - FIRST OF ALL, this isn’t an acceptance speech, so those of you that are dreading my waxing nostalgic about – among others – the silver-haired grandfather who sat me on his knee and pored over Reader’s Digest word lists or the stooped English teacher who encouragingly read out my essays to the rest of the class – relax! (And for what it’s worth, thank you silver-haired grandfather and stooped English teacher.) But I did want to thank all of you who’ve left extremely kind messages, reading some of which has left me far happier than receiving the National Award.
Not that it hasn’t been great seeing my name in the papers. Reports that astronomers around the world have been scratching their heads over an oddly overweight Chennai-ite in the lunar vicinity are entirely true. (I’m over the moon – geddit?) But a lot of people seem to have this impression that this Award has come my way as a result of an all-seeing Central Government eye that tracks film reviews in publications all around the country and then picks the reviewer most deserving. And that’s so not the case.
The National Awards are a competition. And as is the wont with competitions, you’ve got to enter first. You’ve got to throw your hat in the ring, submit your name for consideration, so on and so forth. And then a panel picks a winner. So for all you know – and theoretically speaking – I may have been the only one who bothered to send in samples of my reviews, while, say, the poor shlub writing dazzling critiques at The Bhubhaneshwar Despatch and Courier (and who hasn’t yet discovered the miraculous access to eyeballs that is blogging) could be far more deserving.
And the competitive element of the National Awards also means that the awardees are a result of the jury’s inevitable subjectivity. All this considered, my IndiBloggie win meant a lot more because, there, large numbers of people went out of their way and voted for me – not because I asked to be considered, but because they considered me worthy. These are the people whom I write for, the people who read me – and therefore the people whose endorsement means more.
I didn’t mean to get all Sally Field on you – dear readers – but the outpouring of congratulatory messages, along with the number of people who took it for granted that this award just happened to come my way, made me want to write this. And none of this means that I’m not going to enjoy my fifteen minutes of fame, thanks to the National Awards committee. Has their decision changed my life as I know it? Fuck yeah!
So now you are a “Critic who is acclaimed”
Congrats, well deserved accolade….very happy for yaa
Somebody had just commented out on your previous post.
“….. so far removed from everybody else that you may as well have a different evolutionary history than the rest of us.”
I haven’t come accross anybody else to even compare in the Indian forum.
Who were the previous year winner of this award?
Congrats again.
Far better than any acceptance speech
… Aaaand I dedicate this award too my fans and supporters.
great going, Baradwaj. I cannot think of anyone who deserves this more. I for one, look forward to your weekly reviews as much as or more than some people look forward to the weekly release of their long awaited movie. congrats!
nice touch with the modesty - about the Bhub despatch guy - go on, you deserve this. enjoy it
the national awards committe could also officially release top 5 nominees in each category among which the actual winner is decided, it is a world wide common practice… we are not sure when people say Vikram was considered for best actor award for Sethu but missed out in a single vote and all this kind of rumours… we are not even sure whether his name was thought of by any of the jury for the award… If Saif is winning it, it is important for them to tell people based on which performance of others, they considered him the best….
I call u the Roger Ebert of India
Heartiest Congratulations.
thalaiva…unakku cut out pottu…pal abhishegam pannalam-nu irukkom..:)
Congrats again. Why dont we rechristen you as Bharadwaj Modesty Rangan.
Seriously..you deserved it. 
I just found out and so better late than never! Congratulations Sir, hope this spurs u on to greater heights!
Kudos to you Mr.B. In the field of critics writing about popular culture in English, you’re a certified rock star! Witty, insightful,caustic but never condescending, your reviews mine and sift sub text while others skate on shallow waters.
With Blogical Conclusions, I have my favourite pit stop for a quick swig of Indian pop culture. Keep up the great work dude!
congrats,
hope critics of the critic are remembered
Congratulations Proud to be a BITSian Baradwaj Rangan. You have indeed added pride to your alma mater. May you climb more paeks in the year sto come
I havent been reading your reviews for long (only online since I stumbled on your blog) but I think you deserved the award allright! I’ve not come across a more balanced reviewer - nor, I think, a more knowledgeable one. Keep up the good work! And congrats once again
Heartiest Congratulations, Baradwaj!!! To many more…
you writes, me likes. modest too! Whatever the process, the fact is that you won. 1 of how many?
you are the best in business!
“Has their decision changed my life as I know it? Fuck yeah!”
Greatest National Award-Winner quote ever.
Dude! Awesome Congrats….Now I can get my 2 microseconds of fame saying that I know you
Way to go and lets see more goodies in the future
“And none of this means that I’m not going to enjoy my fifteen minutes of fame, thanks to the National Awards committee. Has their decision changed my life as I know it? Fuck yeah!”
Perfect!
First of all, d-day sonna maadiri, cut out and paal abhishegam coming up. Secondly, I think the award committee has smart people on it, for they agree with me on the best critic around. So I feel good you won the award…it is like vindication on my devotion to you:) And please dont say f*@$:))
Congratulations!! started reading your blog recently. Your reviews are well balanced and that’s what makes it so appealing to read. Is there any specific film review for which you got the award? Or is the award for all the movies you have critiqued so far? Congrats!
Congratulations, richly deserved.
Great win! Congratulations…Feels as if all the days of waiting for your reviews, have paid off
Modesty at its best….and I will echo some sentiments here…whatever the process…you are the best…you have done both the silver-haired grandfather and the stooped English teacher proud
Very Happy for ya, Baradwaj!
I really enjoy your reviews and look forward to them. I wish I have the command on the english (don’t even have that in tamil, heh!!!)language like you do!
I am very very happy for ya! Continue the good work! ALL THE BEST!
Congratulations. I don’t think I have ever commented at any of your reviews, but have been a silent reader through your various blog shifts. Have truly enjoyed reading each one of your articles.
*Yay*
Congratulations bro!!
Just posted my review of Chak De and came here looking for yours and I learn this! Awesome stuff!
I know the phone call is due. Will catch up soon. Been going crazy over the last coupla days. Did a Prison Break Season 2 marathon and then Chak De! Lotsa sleep to catch up with. Will talk to you this evening now that its already dawn.
And even if all the other critics from around the country and the neighbouring ones applied, you would’ve still won the award by a margin!
and…u left out the lucky mascot bit:(((((
Congratulations Rangan !! Way 2 Go..
Hearty Congratulations Baradwaj!
Good show. All those trips to Jayashree & Saturday nights at the Audi are obviously paying off. Do send a thank you note to Prof Kashiramka
Congrats …!!
Yeah..would have liked to know which were the entries you sent… I feel your Omkara review was the greatest. There was one more which was close to it, forgot now.
congrats Baradwaj!
Congratulations !! you totally deserve this award and much more..
“All those crores… and they couldn’t buy themselves a script.” - Nobody could’ve written a more apt one liner for Sivaji..
If I didn’t admire you for the reviews and the award, I’d admire you for that acceptance piece.
Since when do National Awards go to deserving winners? Wonders have not ceased!
J.A.P.
Thanks for the thank you note!
Now come back to earth and do what you do best.
hey brangan, gr8 da!
WAT D fLYIN ELEPhant, u actually wrote d F-word!! wat hs a critic cum 2? disdain disdain!
Belated Congratulations to you!!! It is an awesome achievement and thoroughly well deserved. I’ve always enjoyed your reviews. They provide sheer reading delight. Keep them coming.
Oh, shuush, very well deserved. Congratulations.