'How could I be left out?'

The third International Indian Film Awards which concluded on Saturday evening at Malaysia was a grand affair with spectacular stage performances by Amitabh Bachchan and Sushmita Sen.

The awards followed the pattern set by the earlier popular awards in India, with Karan Johar and Ashutosh Gowariker walking away with the lion's share of the trophies.

One actor is completely betrayed by this globally watched event (beamed live across the world by Sony Entertainment): Tusshar Kapoor.

Yesteryear megastar Jeetendra's son, who made his successful debut last year in Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai alleges irregularities in the selection procedure.

"How could I be left out in the Best New Face category when I made a successful debut last year? It was one of the biggest successes of 2001," says Tusshar. He draws attention to the fact that Arjun Rampal, who was in the Best New Faces category, starred in three flops last year, including his debut film Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat.

According to Tusshar, the IIFA organisers approached him and his mother, television software and film producer Shobha Kapoor informing them that he was selected as one of the best new faces of the year. "But I didn't want to be clubbed with others for one award. Besides, I was shooting for my sister Ekta Kapoor's home production with Esha Deol in Mumbai. I couldn't just throw away my commitments and fly off to Malaysia for an award," says the newcomer who, last month, won the Filmfare Award for best debutant.

"The next thing I knew my name was knocked off from the Best New Faces category! The excuse is that only those who attend the function are included in the list. But Arjun Rampal wasn't present at the IIFA Awards and he was still elected among the Best New Faces! I really don't know what their criteria were.

"Was it just a pretty face? In that case I'd rather not be selected. I'd like to be known for my work and not my face," Tusshar protests as he busies himself with some of the most prestigious projects in Hindi, including his ready-for-release film, Padmalaya's Kya Dil Ne Kahaa.

Tusshar also alleges that he was denied two other popular Indian awards for best debutant after being pre-informed that he was the chosen one. "In one of these cases the organisers told me I had won and made thumbs-up signs at me before leaving cheerfully. The next thing I hear, this member of the awards jury pushed the other male newcomer for the award."

There were unavoidable glitches and gaffes at this year's IIFA awards. Gracy Singh of Lagaan was nominated both the Best New Faces and Best Actress categories. Strictly speaking, she is not a new face (she played a bit part in Gulzar's Hu Tu Tu). But her nomination for best actress with stalwarts like Tabu and Kajol raised eyebrows.

Then, when the deceased showbiz of 2001 personalities was screened, comedian Asit Sen's face was shown in place of the director of the same name, who passed away last year. An incensed filmmaker in Mumbai comments, "Filmmaker Nasir Husain should be grateful they didn't flash images of the character actor of the same name."

Also character actor Suhas Palsikar was announced for best supporting actor in Chandni Bar while the video monitor showed images of Atul Kulkarni in the same film. When Isha Koppikar appeared on stage, compere Lara Dutt informed everyone that Company was Koppikar's first film. In fact Isha has acted in at least two other Hindi films (Fiza and Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya) and is a known face in the Telugu film industry.

Fardeen Khan repeatedly missed his cues on stage while announcing awards. And Salman Khan asked Chandni Bar director Madhur Bhandarkar who he was when the director came on stage to collect the best actress trophy on his heroine's behalf.

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