LAHORE: The 17th Lux Style Awards held on Tuesday night at the Expo Centre was a star-studded affair.

Awards were handed out in film, music, television and fashion categories. Celebrities also utilised the platform to highlight issues the society was confronted with such as human rights, child abuse and sexual abuse. On the red carpet too, the stars voiced their opinions on social issues. The show, unlike previous years, did not feature many dance performances, as the focus remained on unity and solidarity against social ills.

The ceremony opened with Mahira Khan, clad in a red attire, reciting Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s classic poem, Bol, with veteran dancer Nahid Siddiqui, who was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event, performing to the recitation.

Actors Ahsan Khan and Amna Ilyas performed to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s popular ‘Gurus of Peace’ sung in collaboration with the great Indian music composer A.R. Rehman, highlighting the menace of child abuse.

Late human rights activist Asma Jahangir was also paid a tribute during the ceremony. An award for her was collected by her daughter Munizae. Frieha Altaf’s recently launched social cause ‘Mein Bhi’ took centre stage when the movement’s anthem was performed with over 32 musicians and a 40-piece orchestra that recreated Shehzad Roy’s song ‘Kya Darta Hai’.

Actors Ahmed Ali Butt and Vasay Chaudhry tickled the audience’s funny bone with their comic anchoring of the show. The music segment was hosted by actress Ayesha Omar and Ahmed Ali Butt, the fashion segment by actors Ali Kazmi and Aamina Sheikh, the TV segment by Ahsan Khan and Mahira Khan followed by a scintillating performance by singer and composer Sahir Ali Bagga and Ali Azmat. The film segment was hosted by Sanam Saeed and Vasay Chaudhry.

The winners of this year’s awards in the film category were Punjab Nahi Jaoongi for Best Film, Humayun Saeed Best Actor for Punjab Nahi Jaoongi, Mahira Khan Best Actress for Verna, Best Director Nadeem Baig, Best Supporting Actor Javed Sheikh for Namaloom Afraad 2, Best Supporting Actress Urwa Hocane for Punjab Nahi Jaoongi, Best Singer Male Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for ‘Sawar De’ from the film Arth 2, Best Singer Female Aima Baig for ‘Sadqa’ from the film Chupan Chupai.

In the music category, Album of the Year award went to Hadiqa Kayani for her album Wajd. Ali Hamza, Ali Sethi and Waqar Hussain bagged the Singer of the Year award for ‘Tinak Dhin’ from Coke Studio, Best Music Video Director was Raza Shah for ‘The Sibbi Song’ and Best Emerging Talent Kashmir the band for ‘Kaghaz Ka Jahaz’.

In the television category, Best TV Play went to Baaghi, Best TV Actor Ahad Raza Mir for his performance in Yakeen Ka Safar, Best TV Actress Saba Qamar for Baaghi, Best TV Director Saife Hassan for Sang E Mar Mar, Best TV Writer Mustafa Afridi for Sang E Mar Mar, and Best Original Soundtrack went to Shuja Haider for Baaghi.

In the fashion segment, Amna Babar won Best Female Model, Hasnain Lehri Best Male Model, Sana Safinaz took home awards in best prêt and bridal wear categories, best luxury pret went to Sania Maskatiya, best lawn Elan, Best Menswear Designer Umar Farooq of Republic, Best Fashion Photographer Rizwanul Haq, Best Emerging Talent Saheefa Jabbar Khatak, Best Dressed Male on the red carpet was singer Abrarul Haq and Best Dressed Female Nabila.

The show was directed by Vaneeza Ahmad, while creative direction of two performances was handed by Frieha Altaf.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2018