Actor Prakash Raj has sparked a major debate by criticizing the National Awards after Shah Rukh Khan received the Best Actor award for Jawan. While many fans celebrated the win, others questioned whether SRK truly deserved it for a commercial action entertainer instead of earlier classics like Chak De India, Swades, My Name Is Khan, Devdas, or Dil Se. The controversy reignited discussions about the credibility of the National Awards.
During a press meet after the announcement of the 55th Kerala State Film Awards, Prakash Raj took a direct dig at the National Awards system. He said that jury members at the national level often compromise, unlike state-level committees that focus on integrity. “I am proud to be the chairperson of the Kerala State Awards jury. They asked for neutral and experienced members and promised not to interfere. But this process doesn’t happen with National Awards. There is bias, and that’s why some people are receiving them undeservingly,” he said.
Prakash Raj added that legends like Mammootty do not need such awards when the system itself lacks fairness. His comments quickly went viral, with many believing that his statement indirectly compared Mammootty’s talent to SRK’s recognition. Mammootty, who has already won three National Awards, recently bagged the Kerala State Award for Best Actor for Bramayugam, setting a new record for most wins at the state level.
Fans of Mammootty argue that his best performances in recent years deserved national recognition but were overlooked. Many cinephiles now believe that regional awards like the Kerala State Awards carry more credibility and artistic honesty compared to the increasingly politicized and inconsistent National Awards.
