New Delhi – In a turn of events that has sparked widespread conversation and debate, fans of Bollywood star Ranveer Singh have voiced their distress following the Filmfare Awards 2024 ceremony in Gujarat, where the celebrated actor was notably absent from the list of awardees. Many who adored his on-screen portrayal of Rocky Randhawa, a character that won hearts in Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani’, were left dismayed by the decision of the jury.
No sooner had the awards been declared than social media platforms witnessed an outpouring of comments from supporters who firmly believed that Singh had been overlooked despite delivering what they deemed to be the most compelling performance in the film. Twitter, in particular, became a hotbed for critiques and expressions of disappointment.
One user lamented the exclusion stating, “Not that Shabana Azmi or Alia [Bhatt] were not good. They were. But if Rocky Aur Rani had to get any acting awards, you had to give it to Ranveer Singh.” Another pointed out, “Ranveer as Rocky was the only good performance in that movie, and they awarded the weakest performers in it.”
The sense of injustice felt by Singh’s fanbase was exacerbated by other wins they found questionable. Comparisons were made between Singh’s absence and the awards garnered by others: “Ranbir [Kapoor] was good in [his movie] but oh boy RANVEER SINGH DESERVED THE FILMFARE FOR ROCKY AND RANI.. no one could be Rocky Randhawa. ROCKY RANDHAWA WAS Written JUST FOR RANVEER SINGH … he owned it and deserved Filmfare best actor #FilmfareAwards2024,” a fan passionately tweeted.
It was not just the performances, but the perception of bias that irked the movie-going public. Allegations of favoritism in the industry surfaced, with a comment highlighting Kiara [Advani]’s better performance but noting the ‘lobbying they do for Alia’, suggesting that industry connections might influence the awards.
The efficacy of the awards selection process was a recurrent theme, with another tweet capturing the sentiment: “u tryna tell me Ranbir Kapoor won best actor over Ranveer Singh???????? are they [for real]”
While Ranveer Singh admirers recognized the positive responses to other artists’ performances, their argument revolved around the idea of meritocracy in recognition. Their discontent is more than mere dissatisfaction over a favorite star not winning; it signals a deeper call for transparency and fairness in the prize-giving domain of Indian cinema.
The debate also touched on the impact that such recognition, or lack thereof, has on an actor’s career and the broader narrative it sets within the entertainment industry. The accolades, many argue, should mirror the heart and soul an actor pours into a given character.
This wave of critique arose even in the face of some social media users enjoying the film for its charm and the protagonist’s admirable depiction. One mentioned, “I’m literally watching the movie right now and cannot stop smiling at this adorable character that could’ve easily been cringe if not for Ranveer being pitch perfect!”
As the dust settles on Filmfare Awards 2024, it is evident that the conversation around award distribution and acknowledgment of talent within the Indian film landscape remains as animated and contentious as ever. Ranveer Singh’s fans, through their pervasive digital activism, continue to advocate for what they see as a deserved accolade for an actor who, in their eyes, has become synonymous with Rocky Randhawa.
