It was very important to have an award show like TOIFA,” says filmmaker Aanand L Rai, who is on the Advisory Council of TOIFA, along with eight other members from the fraternity. The recently announced Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) OTT edition 2023, which will take place on July 27 in Mumbai, will celebrate excellence and talent in acting, content creation and technical prowess in Hindi web films and series of 2023.
‘Award shows can help people get the recognition they deserve’
Rai, who’s directed films like Tanu Weds Manu, Raanjhanaa, Zero and Atrangi Re, is happy that TOIFA ensures credibility. He says, “Award shows can help people get the recognition they deserve. It helps them grow, but then there are a few corrections which are required. When I was new to showbiz, I would look forward to these functions, but later, I felt like some calculations weren’t in place. You feel disappointed, and so, as someone from the fraternity, it is our job to keep the awards clean.”
‘It’s important to appreciate your co-stars and contemporaries’
The three-tier voting process ensures that no one will know the winners (not even the Advisory Council) until the awards night, possibly eliminating the trend of only winners attending the show. This, Rai feels is the biggest test for TOIFA. He shares, “For award shows, everybody (artistes and technicians) always wants to know (whether they are winning). But accepting a winner from a set of shortlisted people, is again a great thing. After all, it is not only about winning always, but also about accepting and appreciating your co-actors, contemporaries and the others from the film fraternity.”
‘Keeping the awards bigger than anyone’s ego is very important’
To ensure that the awards are fair and credible, a rigorous three-tier voting process has been introduced. The nominees have been shortlisted by 30 members of the Screening Jury, comprising well-known actors, filmmakers, studio execs, writers, casting directors, and film critics. The nominations are then vetted by the Advisory Council of nine members. After that, the TOIFA Academy, comprising 175 members of the Producers Guild of India, will vote for the winners.
Talking about the selection process, Rai says, “These three levels will work as filters that a talent will go through before being declared a winner. It was very important to have an award that demands respect. I am positive that TOIFA will do brilliantly because it has the right intent. Keeping the awards bigger than anyone’s ego is very important, and I think TOIFA will be able to achieve this.”
‘Award shows can help people get the recognition they deserve’
Rai, who’s directed films like Tanu Weds Manu, Raanjhanaa, Zero and Atrangi Re, is happy that TOIFA ensures credibility. He says, “Award shows can help people get the recognition they deserve. It helps them grow, but then there are a few corrections which are required. When I was new to showbiz, I would look forward to these functions, but later, I felt like some calculations weren’t in place. You feel disappointed, and so, as someone from the fraternity, it is our job to keep the awards clean.”
‘It’s important to appreciate your co-stars and contemporaries’
The three-tier voting process ensures that no one will know the winners (not even the Advisory Council) until the awards night, possibly eliminating the trend of only winners attending the show. This, Rai feels is the biggest test for TOIFA. He shares, “For award shows, everybody (artistes and technicians) always wants to know (whether they are winning). But accepting a winner from a set of shortlisted people, is again a great thing. After all, it is not only about winning always, but also about accepting and appreciating your co-actors, contemporaries and the others from the film fraternity.”
‘Keeping the awards bigger than anyone’s ego is very important’
To ensure that the awards are fair and credible, a rigorous three-tier voting process has been introduced. The nominees have been shortlisted by 30 members of the Screening Jury, comprising well-known actors, filmmakers, studio execs, writers, casting directors, and film critics. The nominations are then vetted by the Advisory Council of nine members. After that, the TOIFA Academy, comprising 175 members of the Producers Guild of India, will vote for the winners.
Talking about the selection process, Rai says, “These three levels will work as filters that a talent will go through before being declared a winner. It was very important to have an award that demands respect. I am positive that TOIFA will do brilliantly because it has the right intent. Keeping the awards bigger than anyone’s ego is very important, and I think TOIFA will be able to achieve this.”