Emraan Hashmi says an actor uses awards as flush handle, door knob at home, says he doesn’t attend awards: ‘They give me a headache’

“Award shows are just an event now. There are over 20 of them. I have no problem with people attending or receiving awards, but over the years, they have lost credibility. Everyone knows — and I learnt early in my life — that if you perform at that event, you will receive an award for it. Once, I was even offered such a deal. It’s no longer about your craft; it’s become a barter system,” Emraan said.

Calling this practice “delusional,” Emraan added: “I don’t want to delude myself by taking that award and stashing it on my shelf, clapping for myself. That’s dishonest. If there’s something genuine, I will take it. Otherwise, it’s a waste of my time.” He recalled his early years attending these ceremonies, only to realise how draining they were.

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“In my initial years, I sat through these shows without ever receiving an award. I can’t sit through them anymore. I get a headache within 30 minutes. The performances, the endless speeches — it’s exhausting. Once I had to sit till 1 AM and ended up taking painkillers.”

Yami Gautam, who was also part of the same conversation, echoed similar sentiments. “As a newcomer, you grow up dreaming of one day being on that stage, receiving an award, giving your speech. I have practiced mine in the bathroom,” she laughed. “But once, my turn came at 2:30 AM, and by then, the excitement had completely faded.”

Emraan then interrupted her with a humorous anecdote involving “bathroom” awards.

“Speaking of bathrooms,” he chuckled, “there’s this actor — I won’t name him — who used one of his awards as a handle for his bathroom flush. He realised early on what they were worth. His bathroom has door knobs and flush handles made of awards.” When the interviewer said that the statements were later denied, Emraan claimed: “I know someone who has seen it.”

Though he didn’t take any names, this immediately reminds you of the time when Salman Khan famously said he used film awards as door stoppers at home.

At a past event, when asked about his take on awards, Salman candidly shared: “I was never into awards. My reward is the love and respect I get from my fans. I once took the black lady only because it became awkward when Lolo (Karisma Kapoor) and Shah Rukh Khan called me on stage. I left it there afterward.”

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He went on to add, “We had so many awards lying around at home that once we used them as door stoppers. When there was no space left, we just threw them out.”

Despite his criticism, Salman clarified that he would continue to host and perform at such events — just not accept any trophies. “I have been in the industry long enough. I think the younger actors should get that boost. My films do well, and that’s my real reward.”

Summing up his thoughts, he said, “These award shows have lost their authenticity. It’s become too casual — if someone’s performing, give them an award. If someone’s close to the editor, flood them with trophies. It’s all about TRPs and sponsorship money now.”