Last year when Anurag Basu’s ‘Barfi!’ hit the theatres, viewers went gaga over the deaf, mute and cute Barfi, played by Ranbir Kapoor, the new actress in B-Town Ileana D’Cruz and the adorable autistic Jhilmil – a new Priyanka Chopra altogether. The film, with its picturesque depiction of the northern part of West Bengal and Kolkata, garnered a lot of acclaim from all film lovers. However, the ecstasy was short-lived as ‘Barfi!’ got embroiled in plagiarism controversies. Basu’s ‘Barfi!’ was chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars this year, but it lost the race. In India, however, the film won many awards including those for the best actor and the best actress. 

 

The National Film Awards, meanwhile, that were announced March 18, 2013, had ‘Barfi!’ nowhere on its list of achievers.  Actress Priyanka Chopra was heard speaking to the media about ‘Barfi!’ missing a National Award: “I am feeling bad that Barfi did not win a national award. But then it is up to the jury why they did not give the award.” Priyanka is happy that Parineeti, her cousin, has won a special mention for the latter’s role in ‘Ishaqzaade’. Says Priyanka, “I am happy for her. Now, in the Chopra family, there are two national awards. The whole day I had to explain what special mention means!” Priyanka Chopra was awarded the National Award for her performance in Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2008 ‘Fashion’.