While it is currently possible to do this in JavaScript, it would be nice to have the functionality integrated into the Grid filter row.

For example,

columns.Bound(c => c.Title).Title("Title")
.HeaderHtmlAttributes(new { style = "text-align: center;" })
.Filterable(f => f.Cell(fc => fc
    .ShowOperators(false)
    .Operator("Contains")
    .Template("fnFilterAsYouType")
    .Placeholder("Title")
));