D-DAY nears

What’s more,as we mentioned in the last issue,Screen has for the first time formed the Screen Selection Academy with eminent members from the film fraternity.

The Academy comprises reputed filmmakers like David Dhawan,Nagesh Kukunoor and Kunal Kohli,prominent producers Ramesh Taurani and Bhushan Kumar,veteran

actors like Jaya Bachchan,writers of the likes of Honey Irani and art directors of calibre Samir Chanda and Nitin Desai. It also has popular singer Udit Narayan,award winning lyricist Swanand Kirkire,sound recordists Nakul Kamte and Rakesh Ranjan,choreographer Saroj Khan,action director Allan Amin and famed film distributor/exhibitor Shyam Shroff on board. In short,the members are drawn from different crucial departments of filmmaking so that all the aspects are covered. This will help avoid discrepancies and ensure that no film — big or small,hit or flop — is left out,with merit being the sole criterion.

The Academy will shortlist 25 films,which will act as a ready reckoner for the core jury.

However,it is not compulsory for the jury to follow the Academy mandate,though they can consult the list before making the final choice. Incidentally,the members of the Academy may or may not be a part of this year’s releases but people who are part of the jury,as is the norm,are not involved in the films this year. The jury will be revealed in the next issue alongwith the nominations.

In the meantime,we are announcing the nominees for Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female) in the popular categories. Launched a couple of years ago,this was done keeping in mind popular sentiments and is open for voting.

Among the male actors,there’s Ajay Devgn for his role as a don in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai as well as his comic turn in Golmaal 3,Akshay Kumar for his delightful act as a loser in Housefull,Imran Khan for his loverboy role in I Hate Luv Storys,Ranbir Kapoor for his conniving politician act in Raajneeti,Salman Khan for his paisa-vasool performance in the year’s biggest blockbuster Dabangg,Shah Rukh Khan for his sensitive portrayal of a man afflicted with Asperger’s Syndrome in My Name Is Khan and Shahid Kapoor for his cute badmaashi in Badmaash Company.

As for the heroines,the contenders include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for her ultra-glam performance in the sci-fi hit Robot,Anushka Sharma for her outing as the dhinchak Janakpuri kudi in Band Baaja Baaraat,Deepika Padukone for her comic turn in Housefull,Kareena Kapoor for her irrepressible comedy in Golmaal 3,Katrina Kaif for her strong portrayal in Raajneeti and her turn as a wannabe actress in Tees Maar Khan,Priyanka Chopra for her rich brat act in Anjaana Anjaani and Sonam Kapoor for her dreamy-eyed performance in I Hate Luv Storys.

So,what are you waiting for? Write in your choices and mail it to us at the address mentioned in the box below.

With just a week left for the D-Day,your time starts now…