We have a lot of award ceremonies in India, that is for sure – we honour everyone from celebrities to artists to businessmen, but we tend to forget some of the people who are perhaps more deserving of awards than the rest. These are those people who have managed to battle all odds and fulfill their dreams along with the dreams of others as well. I attended the IBN7 Super Idols ceremony recently, where chief guest Salman Khan felicitated disabled people who have done remarkable feats, both for themselves and for others.
Rajdeep Sardesai made a comment that he had invited Salman last year to receive their Entertainer of the Year award for another ceremony. Salman had refused at that time, saying he doesn’t go to award functions and doesn’t accept awards. Rajdeep had told him (jokingly, I hope) that he’d get anyone to give him the award, even the Prime Minister, but Salman still refused – and just added that if Rajdeep invited him to give an award at their Super Idols ceremony (like he had done the year before), then he’d come for sure. Well, he kept his word and gave not one, but all eleven awards to those who won.
Salman was also asked why he comes only to these events; those for a good cause. He said it’s a selfish reason, because he believes that anything that makes you feel good is ultimately selfish – and he comes because he feels good at these events. And there was reason enough to feel good. Each winner spoke some of the most motivational words I’ve heard; they truly make you realize that you can do anything you want. If they can battle all odds and become sports icons, dancers, surgeons… well, what’s your excuse?
Kavita Sethi also performed at the event; she sang Iktara (favourite!) and Mora Piya. Also spotted at the event were Subhash Ghai, Rajkumar Hirani, and a whole slew of television stars like Vishal Singh (Jigar from Saath Nibhaana Saathiya). I was seated behind Ravi Dubey (who plays Tej in Saas Bina Sasural) and his girlfriend Sargun Mehta (Phulwa Singh from Phulwa). Ravi is a total sweetheart; he was really into the event, clapping, cheering and all (and there were no cameras trained on them so I can say for a fact it wasn’t for the shutterbugs’ benefit!) He and Sargun also seemed really into each other, just a bunch of casual pats, leaning in etc to check if the other was okay (no, I really wasn’t stalking them *lol* but they were right in front of me!)
Overall, great event. Extremely motivational and it provided lots of food for thought. Kudos to IBN7 for putting on this event and I’m looking forward to next year’s show!