Mumbai:  Surprise, surprise... guess who's interested in the V Shantaram Awards
Everyone knows that Aamir Khan stays away from film awards events and questions their credibility. So this will come as a huge surprise.
The Taare Zameen Par director personally called the Rajkamal Academy of Cinematic Excellence (RACE) to be included among the nominees of the V Shantaram Awards 2008. The event will be held in the city on December 26.
The awards are based on the principles of the late celebrated filmmaker V Shantaram (Padosi, Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Dr Kotnis Ki Aamar Kahani) that socially relevant cinema does not necessarily mean art cinema; films that handle social themes, provide wholesome entertainment and display novelty or exceptional talent are given preference.
All these years, the Rajkamal Academy of Cinematic Excellence has worked hard not just to retain the sanctity of the V Shantaram Awards but also build its credibility by roping in veterans from the film fraternity across the country to set high judging standards.
The awards provide a common platform for all Indian language films to participate on the basis of excellence. It recognises the pivotal role of the director in filmmaking and confers gold, silver and bronze awards in the director categories.
Perhaps that is the reason why Aamir desired to be included in the nominees list?
Past winners include Satyajit Ray, Shyam Benegal, Kamal Haasan, K Balachander, Mani Ratnam, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan. Last year Chak De! India ruled the roost with five awards followed by Lage Raho Munnabhai (Hindi), Guru (Hindi), Nayi Neralu (Kannada), Ore Kadal (Malayalam).
| 
