Daily Times

KARACHI: It’s been a year since Hum Network’s film and TV awards hosted its award ceremony in an opulent event in Dubai.

This year though the Hum Awards came back home to host its ceremony, the grandeur of which did not wither. Saturday night had our film and TV stars all glued to their seats until the very last performance and award was given out. Many thought the extremely late start of the event might make people depart early but the very highlight of the annual award ceremony, which was its act sequence, kept the audience enthused and in high spirits.

Actress and performer Sohai Ali Abro danced to Bollywood hit numbers, dressed to perfection in a beautiful orange lehnga choli. The perfect comedian duo of rapper/actor Ahmad Ali Butt and screenwriter/actor Vasay Chaudhry had the audience in fits of laughter owing to their comic timing and spellbindingly-entertaining script.

Industry veterans such as Nadeem Baig, Samina Pirzada, Sania Saeed and Behroz Sabzwari took to the stage to present or accept awards. Actor and director Nadeem Baig was honoured with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award for his immense contribution and achievements in the industry.

Not only was Sohai Ali Abro’s performance lauded and given hearty applause, actor and anchor Ahsan Khan, who danced to a string of medleys, won hearts. Ahsan is a Hum Award regular when it comes to performing. Actors Mehwish Hayat, Humayun Saeed and Noor Bukhari delivered electrifying performances on stage. Urwa and Mawra’s dance performance was held towards the very end, which came out as mediocre and lacked energy altogether, however, the preceding talent powerhouses compensated for the latter’s lacklustre performance.

The stage had a distinct look inspired by the Great Gatsby. It was grand and hypnotically beautiful; the kind of sets we see during Hum’s Bridal Couture Week.

The first award of the night was given out to Best Model Female, which was conferred on Sunita Marshal. The second award in this category was Best Model – Male Popular, which was given out to Shahzad Noor.

The second category was of Music. The Best Music Video Popular award and Best Music Single (Popular) award was presented by ace singer Atif Aslam to Uzair Jaswal.

The Best Actor Female Soap award was given to Resham for her performance in ‘Ishq Ibadat’. Next up was Best Actor Male Soap award, which went to Sohail Sameer for his role in ‘Sartaj Mera Tu Raj Mera’. The award for Best Soap went to ‘Ishq Ibadat’.

The next set of host of the evening was of Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sanam Jung, who invited Hum Network CEO Duraid Qureshi on stage to present an award from the Special category: Recognition Award Films, to producers of ‘Manto’. Sania and actor Sarmad Khoosat received the award for ‘Manto. ‘Jawani Phir Nahi Aani’ and ‘Bin Roye’ also received the same award.

Continuing with the film category, the awards for Best Actress in a Film and Best Actor – Film went to Sania for ‘Manto’ and Mahira Khan for ‘Bin Roye’, respectively, and Humayun for his performances in ‘Bin Roye’ and ‘Jawani Phir Nahi Aani’ as well as Sarmad Khoosat for his role in ‘Manto’. The next two awards celebrated the new emerging talent in Pakistani television. The award for Best New Sensation – Female went to Iqra Azeem. The award for Best New Sensation Male went to Feroze Khan. A very excited and teary-eyed Humaima Malick handed out the award to her younger brother.

Atif Aslam’s performance truly captivated the audience, where he sang live acoustic, and quickly geared up for fast upbeat tracks of his. What a star!

Among the litany of our beautiful actresses who strutted down the red carpet, dressed in their finest, veteran actress and filmmaker Reema Khan stood out. She was back in her homeland after two years.

The consistency of the Hum Awards merits appreciation. Not just do some of our most seasoned and veteran actors owe their hits to Hum TV, but the new breed of actors and the current generation of artists all claim their careers and breaks to the platform.

Winners

Best Actor – Osman Khalid Butt for ‘Diyar-e-Dil’

Best Actress – Maya Ali for ‘Diyar-e-Dil’ and Sanam Jung for ‘Alvida’

Best Onscreen Couple – Imran Abbas Naqvi and Sanam Jung for ‘Alvida’

Best Drama Serial – ‘Diyar-e-Dil’

Best Music Single – “Sajna” by Uzair Jaswal

Best Music Video – “Sajna”

Best Male Model – Shahzad Noor

Best Female Model – Sunita Mashall

Best Original Soundtrack – “Yar-e-Man” from ‘Diyar-e-Dil’

Jury, Special Recognition

Best Drama Serial Jury – ‘Diyar-Dil’

Best Director Drama Serial – Haseeb Hassan

Best Actor Male Jury – Meekal Zulfiqar

Best Actor Female Jury – Iffat Omer

Best Supporting Actor – Behroz Sabzwari and Ali Rahman for ‘Diyar-e-Dil’

Best Supporting Actress – Sarah Khan for ‘Mohabbat Aag Si’

Best Writer Drama Serial – Farhat Ishtiaq for ‘Diyar-e-Dil’

New Sensation Female Award – Iqra Aziz

New Sensation Male Award – Feroz Khan

Best Actor in a Comic Role – Ahmad Ali Butt for ‘Mr Shamim

Best Actor in a Negative Role – Zahid Ahmed for ‘Alvida’

Most Impactful Character – Abid Ali for ‘Diyar-e-Dil’

Best Actor Female Soap – Resham

Best Actor Male Soap – Sohail Sameer