Dabangg is a film that shows family values: JP Dutta

There were two questions on everyone’s mind at the announcement of the 58th National Film Awards in the capital – Firstly, why most of the awards have been given to South films, with only a couple of Bollywood films on the list? Secondly, if so, why were films like “Peepli Live” and “Udaan” left out?
“Whatever I have decided is done on the basis of what has moved my soul, moved my heart,” announced JP Dutta who chaired the awards’ jury, “The Indian story is all about the heart.Of late, because of the cultural influences that have come into the country, the heart and the soil had been missing from Indian cinema. But, I went back to the roots, and those films that have represented the soil of the country, have got a National Award from us, deservingly so. We saw the real India in all the films – whether of the South or of Bollywood. Indian spirit is not only in villages, but everywhere – from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. And many films have been able to capture that so beautifully that they moved the jury’s soul. “Mother India” is legendary because “Mother India” moves you. It’s the same for “Mughal-E-Azam”. Hence, we chose such films,” Dutta said in a defensive tone.
““Do Dooni Chaar” mein middle class ko bahot khoobsurati se dikhaya hai, especially the mindset of Delhi’s middle class. On top of that, when you get Neetu and Rishi Kapoor to play that, it’s commendable in itself,” he explained, when questioned about “Do Dooni Chaar” being awarded in the Best Hindi Film category.
When asked as to why “Dabangg” was preferred over ‘meaningful and serious’ films like “Peepli Live” and “Udaan”, Dutta reasoned, ““Dabangg” is a film that’s close to the Indian soil. It gives you the feeling of India. It shows Indian family values... how Indians really are. On one hand, there’s a father who committed suicide on learning that he’s coming in the way of his daughter’s marriage. On the other hand, we see there’s a stepson in the family, yet the whole family is together. This is the true India and that is what touched me, which is why we chose “Dabangg”. ““Ishqiya” aur “Dabangg” mein woh language aur local flavour hai jo Bharat ki zameen se judi hui hai,” he added.
Even the citation given for “Dabangg”, as per the official release by the Directorate of Film Festivals, read, ‘Dabangg: Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Citation: Answers the need of cinegoers for entertainment rooted in Indian soil.’
Prahlad Kakkar, one of the jury members, said, “I am very happy with the decision. All the South films that we saw were so touching and moving that it was impossible not to acknowledge them for what they have done. Just because they are down South and that they did such a commendable job for the first time, does not mean that we should wait for them to prove themselves again the next year. We ought to applaud them this year itself.”