@model IEnumerable<Blabla.Models.tbl>
@{
    ViewBag.Title = "Search";
}

@(Html.Kendo().Grid(Model)
    .Name("Search")
    .Columns(columns =>
    {
        columns.Bound(p => p.firstname).Filterable(f => f.UI("firstnameFilter"));
        columns.Bound(p => p.lastname);
        columns.Bound(p => p.phone);
        columns.Bound(p => p.email);
        columns.Bound(p => p.businessunit);
    })
    .Groupable()
    .Pageable()
    .Reorderable(r=>r.Columns(true))
    .Filterable(f => f.Mode(GridFilterMode.Menu))
    .Sortable()
       .DataSource(d => d.Ajax().PageSize(5).ServerOperation(false).Read(r => r.Action("Search","Admin")))
   
)


<script type="text/javascript">
    function firstnameFilter(element) {
        element.kendoAutoComplete({
            dataSource: {
                transport: {
                    read: "@Url.Action("FilterFirstname")"
                }
            }
        });
    }
</script>