MUMBAI: It might be 29 year old, but it still remains one of a kind.

The awards instituted to laud excellence in television and cinema AKA Rapa, will is all geared to present awards in 53 categories comprising works from television, radio and advertising and has invited entries in 17 Indian languages. For the first time, the committee has instituted a Best Radio Jockey award.
 
"We have had 700 entries last year and this year we have already crossed 1000. There is no question of extending the date but in fact I think we might even have to turn down couple of entries," Rapa President Brij Mittle offered. 

Speaking about the quality of the content Mittle offered, "We often hold the awards ceremony either in the last week of April so that we include the all the work from last year. This time on looking at the amount of entries we might have it in the first week of May. It is a clear indication the quality is better and the competition is going to be tough this year." 

As for the actual break up of the awards, there are 13 categories for radio, 10 for television advertising, and 25 for television (including serials, Music Video and telefilms), while the remaining five are special awards. Last date for receiving entries is 28 February 28 2004. 

"Just like last year, we will be having a group of 60 judges, from across the country. We will be getting them to Mumbai to judge the winner directly and not the nominee list. During the day of award we will be announcing the winners. But to ensure that the winners are present at the venue, we will be informing them a couple of days in advance," Mittle offered.

The special Rapa Awards include Rapa Hamid Sayani Trophy for all around contribution to Radio/Television, Rapa K.K Suvarna Trophy for Outstanding voice performance, Rapa Sheel Kumar Trophy for Best Performance on TV, Rapa S S Oberoi Trophy for Campaign of the year on Television and Rapa D S Mittle trophy for Campaign of the year on Radio. The Awards committee includes Danish Khan, CM Patel, R Jankiraman, R Swaminathan, Pramod Suri and Manoj Lunia. 

While last year the awards ceremony was sponsored by Radio Mirchi, Sony, Sab and Pritish Nandy Communication, MTV sent in their VJs as the presenters. The organising committee is keen on signing some sponsors this year as well. But the organizers will approach the sponsors only once the judging process is underway, so that "that they don't influence the judging" offers Mittle. 

The awards function might be held at Taj Lands End, like last year, or they might look out for a new venue like Grand Intercontinental.