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It really is an obvious idea. To make sure that worthwhile cinema from all around the country is on an equal footing when it comes to being noticed and evaluated (and honoured), nothing can do the job better than a fair, non-agenda-led awards show.

Something that the National Awards perhaps were at one time, but political interference and a diffused arbitrariness has destroyed its credibility. Today all our “private” awards shows out of Mumbai have the same disease afflicting them – stars and glamour.

The quality most missing from our cinema today, especially in Mumbai, is originality. Our awards shows aggressively reflect this. It manifests in the complete lack of respect to the “idea”, and compensating instead with glitz, glamour and buffoonery – reflecting the mainstream Bollywood sensibility more than anything else.

What if there is an awards show that reflects the spirit of the best films that get made in our country rather than the worst? A show that showcases the best films from our country, in different languages, by nominating them, talking about them, giving them due recognition. (Having them made available on dvd for an interested audience is an obvious brand extension, just like publicized discussions on websites like PFC, and maybe even a film festival of nominated films). Most importantly, it gets people trying to do the more cutting edge work all around India the platform to at least get known amongst their peers, so that cross-pollination of ideas and opportunities can follow.

What if the show is not a wannabe Oscar night, not dominated by stars and what they are wearing, or not wearing? And what if the dance floor never features right through its duration? What if it has no accent on showmanship of any kind?

So, you will hardly see any stars here, only the ones who have been lucky enough to participate in the standard of cinema that is being awarded in this show. Yes, lucky enough – this awards show can be an aspirational one for that brigade.

Since the biggest problem in our country is independence of thought, what if this is a show that effusively awards films and people who meet standards in that regard more than anything else?

The accent is therefore on originality, and ideas.

The most prestigious awards here then are the writers’ awards – presented last (they can be sub divided into “Most Original Idea”, and “Best Script”).

Technicians are honoured – much like the West, and unlike Bollywood. Cinematography, Sound Design, Art Direction , Costumes and Editing awards, all getting extra points for originality.

Even the Direction award is in two categories – “Most Original Film” and “Best Film”.

There is an award for Music – “Background score” and “Best Song”.

Most importantly, there is a special category for Producers. The sub-categories include “Most Original Film” and “Producer of the Year” (based on say, 3-7 film products produced by him or his company). By giving this award pride of place, it can become one of the most aspirational awards to win – can you imagine what this can do to our cinema culture?

Wherever possible, have nominations (like they do in the West), so that more indigenous films can come into the limelight. The point is for the cream of our films to rise to the top, not who wins amongst them. That doesn’t really matter. It is about taking pride in telling our own Indian stories. To showcase India as a centre of World Cinema too (and maybe when they’re looking for the best candidate to represent India in the Oscar foreign films category, they will look no further than the selection here).

Maybe have a special low budget section (production budget below 1 crore).

Maybe even have film writing awards – like “Best Critic”, “Best Review” and “Best Article”. Again, this would almost certainly raise standards in an area most required.

Have a documentary film section.

And so on. Ideas to expand categories welcomed.

We cannot repeat this too often - Honour the idea first, not the execution.

And to make this awards show even more entertaining, have different people connected to all the films nominated, participate. In discussions, Q& A sessions (encouraging repartee, wit and a lightness of touch). Have an absorbing exchange of ideas, not inanities.

Have on-stage interactions between artists and technicians – lively, witty, humorous by all means, but always with substance. Have musical pieces prepared by musicians from the nominated films, much like the Oscars, but without the accompanying glitz and panache. It’s all about the content, remember? Everything, every single element, has to reinforce that.

Choose an MC or a host, who is witty and politically incorrect without being tasteless. Of course, not a star. Definitely not a star. Not even a wannabe star.

Most importantly, keep the sensibility consistent, keep the focus relentless. Do not broad base. One sensibility in all categories, one mindset. Honour the idea.

The most important quality of the night will be sincerity and new ideas, rather than coolness, irony or star-power. Keep a consistent level of intelligence going through the show.

Yes, the people who execute the show then become all-important; the selection panel, the awards jury, the hosts and MCs - people able to showcase the core of its philosophy, with focus. And no, it is not true that such people are difficult to come by. We are not a nation of retards and buffoons, even if Bollywood suggests that.

There are enough reasons to doubt the value of something like this from the people who control the aesthetic reins in Bollywood. They will throw questions like – without stars, who will be interested? Without dance and tamasha, how much of an audience will come? Without that, how will a show like this be viable, how will it get eyeballs?

We can say – the same way small budget movies are opening a window, perhaps even a door, and certainly already showing signs of a changing scene. The same way websites like PFC get eyeballs, thanks to people regularly hoping for a stimulating alternative take. The way in which mass participation is actually not even remotely sought-after.

Do you, on a personal level, think an elegant, thought-provoking, yet entertaining, 2-3- hour awards show like this will draw in an audience? Enough to make this a commercially-viable TV show?

Does it have potential? What do you think?

Any why do you think it has not happened before? It seems a pretty obvious thing, doesn’t it?