By Maliha Rehman
Here’s a run-through the year that was 2024 in the shape of this year’s lineup of Random ‘Year That Was 2024’ Gloss Etc Awards. It’s a look at work that stood out, talent that raised the bar and then, talent that did not raise the bar, things that made waves on social media for the right reasons – and those that did so for the wrong reasons!
They all get an award – or two – whether they like it or not …
Best Drama Award – Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum
This one’s a no-brainer. Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum was a masterclass in storytelling, testament to the talents of writer Farhat Ishtiaq, director Badar Mehmood and its star-studded cast – Fahad Mustafa, Hania Aamir, Emmad Irfani, Naeema Butt, Bushra Ansari and Javed Sheikh, among others. The story itself was more or less conventional but it was narrated in an unconventional way; with nuances added to different characters, music adding effect and multiple scenes in every episode that would be watched and then rewatched!
With no unnecessary lags and no tedious flashbacks, the drama was a treat to see and it’s no wonder that it gained a huge fan following not just within Pakistan but also around the world. Masala-laden storylines may be able to generate short term profits but Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum went a step ahead with its detailed, intelligent narration, and gained both commercial as well as critical acclaim.
Fiercest Male Villain Award – Khalid Butt in Khaie
In the brutal landscape etched out in the drama Khaie, Khalid Butt’s Durab Khan was the most brutal of all. He sneered, plotted, thumped guns in the air and murdered with ease. When he would squint his eyes and frown, you’d feel a sliver of fear – was he going to make a fatal plan, murder another innocent or guess the plan that was unfolding in his home which eventually lead to the death of his male ancestors and himself?
What an incredible actor. Sadly, Khalid Butt passed away around the time the drama’s initial episodes were airing. He leaves behind a legacy of exceptional characters enacted over the years, the final one being that of Durab Khan.
Most Memorable Movie Promotion Award – Nayab
The cast and crew of Nayab went all out with promoting their movie towards the beginning of 2024. Braving huge crowds and harsh cold weather, they traveled from city to city, to universities and malls, taking selfies with fans throughout, and sitting through multiple interviews so that the world knew that their movie was just about to hit cinemas!
Nayab marked the cinematic debut of actors Yumna Zaidi and Usama Khan and their enthusiasm was infectious. Usama has a loyal fan following while Yumna is unarguably one of Pakistani TV’s most-loved actresses. And yet, both actors weren’t deterred by the huge crowds that came out to meet them wherever they went. They believed in their movie and they were going to do all that they could to highlight it.
When Yumna Zaidi made a heart with her hands towards the crowd, they all did the same. And Twitter went wild as Usama archived the promotional tour on social media with a slew of behind-the-scenes videos and photographs. Nayab turned out to be a fine movie – well-narrated and well-performed. It didn’t haul in the box office numbers that it should have – the local cinematic box office is a very tempestuous beast – but it did win accolades at multiple international awards. And it set the standard high for the love and complete lack of attitude that should be essential to celebrity and fan interactions.
Hit-most Lead Actress Award – Durefishan Saleem
Durefishan Saleem is Pakistan’s favorite sweetheart and the TV ratings are there to prove it. She was the sweet, principled romantic heroine in Ishq Murshid, getting swept away by the advances of a lovestruck admirer while a beautiful title track played in the backdrop. In complete contrast, she was the young girl intent on murder in the thrilling Khaie, quietly plotting to bring down the villains who had killed her family.
The disparity in both characters was testament to Durefishan’s versatility – within the span of a single week, one would see her as the charming girl next door and then, her beauty would take a turn towards the sinister as she enacted a woman, hiding her pain behind an impassive mask. She was a natural in both roles, effortlessly steering the audience’s emotions from joy to pain to suspense and fear.
The TV and YouTube ratings skyrocketed. The reviews were very complimentary. And while Durefishan’s talent is irrefutable, it is also evident that she has chosen her projects wisely – opting for roles that are diverse and challenging. It makes one expect more riveting performances from her in the coming years.
All-time Favorite Romantic Hero Award – Bilal Abbas Khan
One has waxed lyrical about Bilal Abbas Khan’s exceptional talent time and again. The actor has the rare gift of getting into the skin of a varied range of characters, taking on completely different personas and making them very believable. Over the years, Bilal has churned out a range of roles that have proven his acting mettle and this year, he added two more personas to this roster.
In Ishq Murshid, he was the powerful politician’s son who fell head over heels in love and decided to assume a false identity just to be close to the girl he loved. In Mann Jogi, he was the submissive, fearful young man, on the run with a woman that he eventually fell in love with. While in one drama, he teased, flirted and made romantic declarations, in the other, he stuttered, his eyes downcast, only eventually getting the courage to stand up for what was right.
He’s got the fine looks of the classic chocolate hero but beyond mere looks, this year put forward from some very fine performances of his. One expects nothing less from Bilal Abbas Khan.
Best TV Comeback Award – Hamza Ali Abbasi
Hamza Ali Abbasi made his return to TV this year and one hopes that he is now here to stay. In Jaan e Jahan, he was the tortured young man, grappling with the loss of his father, a very evil stepmother and brother and his feelings for a beautiful young girl who simply walks into his life and takes him in her hold.
Later in the year, in the currently on-air Faraar, Hamza became the target killer on the path of redemption because he wants to earn an honest man’s living – and subsequently get married to the girl that he likes.
From the hero wandering aimlessly in a crisp shalwar kameez, a shawl dramatically slung across his shoulders, to the gun-toting, rough around the edges, criminal on the mend, Hamza’s TV roles, marking his comeback, have been very memorable.
Best TV Comeback Award – Emmad Irfani
Where were you all these years, Emmad Irfani? It’s unfathomable that this actor – one of the most good-looking men in Pakistani entertainment and also, so talented – had stepped away from the spotlight for the past few years.
One knows that he was working on a few projects that are yet to release but it’s great that he decided not to sit in the sidelines and signed on to play a character that turned out to be an absolute hit! As Adeel – the no-good, vindictive elder brother in the drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum – Emmad put out a riveting performance. Evil brothers are a dime a dozen in TV dramas but Emmad made sure that his particular villain stood out. Adeel was evil – but he was a snappy dresser. He didn’t just belt out lines – he said them out passionately, frowning, moving his hands emphatically, drawing the eye towards him.
Villains don’t usually get so much attention from the audience – but then again, not everyone goes the extra mile to add meat to the character. Emmad does. That’s the secret to his success.
Surprise Hit Award – Ishq Murshid
Every year, there are a few drama scripts that take you by surprise – filled with loopholes, unbelievable situations, strange twists and yet, managing to enamor the audience completely. The Bilal Abbas – Durefishan Saleem starrer Ishq Murshid was one such drama. The script did not make sense a lot of the times. There were characters who were unnecessary. There was comedy that was downright silly. And yet, the drama was packaged beautifully.
Director Farooq Rind turned a gimlet eye towards spinning out romance, the actors performed extremely well and the title track, sung by Ahmed Jahanzeb, was dreamy. You weren’t supposed to question the story or analyze it – all you had to do was sit and enjoy the characters sharing secret smiles with ‘Noor e jahan, aur Noor e Mohabbat …’ playing out enticingly.
Fiercest Male Villain Award – Gohar Rasheed
Gohar Rasheed’s enactment of the complex, calculating Shabbir in Mann Jogi was remarkable. With characteristic ease, the actor took on the role, enacting his pain, regret and anger. The role was a very grey, nuanced one; with Shabbir’s anger simmering just beneath the surface and occasionally, erupting with scary results. Who else but Gohar Rasheed could have aptly added the skin and bones to such a role and make it completely riveting?
Yet another feather in Gohar’s (quite clustered) cap.
Hit-most Heroine Award – Hiba Bukhari
Hiba Bukhari is often pronounced as a ‘ratings queen’ on social media – and with good reason, too. The actress has a hold over the audience, winning them over with different roles and hauling in high viewership ratings. Hiba’s Radd this year was a major hit and she followed it with the saga-like Jaan Nisar, which topped the charts repetitively.
On a personal note, there was her pregnancy announcement which led to a lot of excitement amongst fans and later, the birth of her baby girl.
It’s been a great year for Hiba Bukhari.
Cringiest Hit Award – Jaan Nisar
Jaan Nisar was a cringe-fest. It was also a huge hit and testament to what a large chunk of the desi audience wants to see: a hero’s forced marriage to his brother’s widow, a girl drugged in her sleep by her boyfriend and sold off to a prostitution ring, an evil pimp running a thriving escort service, a hateful brother-in-law with his eyes on his sister-in-law, a crying much-tortured sister and lots of steamy scenes where lead actors Danish Taimoor and Hiba Bukhari teeter at the very edge of what censor boards must allow.
And then the title track would play out – which cleverly mixed in throwbacks to the title track of Deewangi, Danish and Hiba’s previous mega-hit drama together. The production was very high-end which meant that one got to see lavish, expansive camera frames. But the story could have been – should have been! – better.
Trailblazer Award – Khaie
Khaie was an absolute trailblazer in the TV drama-scape, offering thrills and suspense, gripping plot-twists aided by an extremely talented cast and director Wajahat Husain at his finest, allowing his camera to explore the treacherous terrain of Baltistan in glorious detail. The production by 7th Sky Entertainment left no stone unturned in delivering some very memorable visuals and this will possibly be remembered as one of the finest works by actors Faysal Quraishi, Durefishan Saleem, Khalid Butt and Hina Bayat Khan. Khaie also brought the talent of the young Shuja Asad to the world’s notice and his career has been on a roll ever since! Mahenur Haider was also impactful in her role.
Had Khaie not been brought down by unnecessary long lags and multiple flashbacks, the drama would have been even better. In terms of exploring new avenues in TV drama narratives, it is definitely a trailblazer.
Best Actor Award – Fahad Mustafa
Why did Fahad Mustafa leave TV drama acting at all?
The actor and producer may have gotten waylaid by the lure of cinema and his thriving production company Big Bang Entertainment but it turns out that the TV audience needed him desperately! With Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, he made his return to TV dramas and made a huge impact with his effortless performance as the misunderstood, loveable Mustafa.
Fahad Mustafa is very much in a league of his own. This could have also been a Best TV Comeback award – but Best Actor is more befitting.
Best Actor Award – Naumaan Ijaz
Naumaan Ijaz is in a league of his own. He is simply brilliant, taking on even the most ordinary roles and transforming them into something extraordinary. Many of his peers in the Pakistani TV industry may complain of getting relegated to cookie-cutter generic roles but roles are often especially written for Naumaan Ijaz. Drama-makers are well aware that when he takes on a role, he tries his utmost to make it stand out.
A case in point was Bismil this year, where he played a cheating husband and managed to hook an extensive audience who raged against him and later, cried with him. In Mrs and Mr Shamim, a Zee5 series which became accessible to the Pakistani audience this year, he was exceptional as an effeminate, sensitive man struggling with the obstacles that life threw his way.
And while he may have churned out hits and won rave reviews all through this year, this is nothing new for Naumaan Ijaz. As one of Pakistan’s finest actors, accolades and love from the audience have been all in a day’s work for him for a long time.
Best Actress Award – Hania Aamir
Hania Aamir’s career peaked this year with her enactment of Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’s forthright, upstanding heroine Sharjeena. It was a performance that raised the bar for TV: very natural and so impactful that Hania had the audience rooting for her, crying for her, taking screenshots of her and posting them all over social media. Resisting the prevalent trend on TV of getting caked with makeup, Hania appeared clean-faced on screen in the scenes where her character was struggling. What was also notable was her absolute ease while being filmed, seemingly unaware that there were TV cameras capturing her from different angles.
Hania Aamir has had many other hit roles to her credit. But Sharjeena, undeniably, has been her crowning moment.
Most Loved on Instagram Award – Hania Aamir
Hania Aamir’s Instagram feed is a mixed bag celebrating her acting achievements, charting her journeys around the world, collaborating with an extensive number of clothing brands, quick makeup tutorials, fun transformation videos and a whole lot of goofing around with friends. She is Pakistan’s Most Followed Actress on Instagram not just because of the hit dramas she’s acted in but also because on Instagram, fans can really get to know the Hania beyond the camera. There will be times when she’ll be involved in a frantic noodle-cooking session, times when she’ll be down and give some solid advice on mental health, times when she’ll be on set and will shoot some very candid BTS!
There are plenty of pretty pictures of her on her Instagram page as well – shoots done for brands and glamorous images from awards ceremonies – but there is more, so much more. It’s why, some time around the mid of 2024, Hania Aamir’s Instagram following mushroomed at a fast pace and she became ‘Most Followed’.
Also, very well-loved. I think the two go hand in hand.
Best Actor In Film Award – Fawad Khan for Nayab
Fawad Khan may have played Yumna Zaidi’s elder brother in the movie Nayab but he wasn’t just any brother, waiting about in the sidelines. Fawad’s Akbar, in fact, was often in focus throughout the movie, a man navigating family pressures, financial constraints while also trying to support his younger sister into fulfilling her dreams.
A fine, very nuanced performance.
Best Actress In Film Award – Yumna Zaidi for Nayab
In Nayab, Yumna Zaidi shed away her various TV drama avatars and became a young girl obsessed with winning on the cricket field and struggling to survive while keeping her morals in place. Yumna’s character took center stage – she was the younger sister doted upon by her brother, the girl in love with a boy who she would meet secretly, the female cricketer whose passion for the sport was inspirational.
It was a performance that held the audience in its grip, making you cheer and cry for Nayab and marking a fine cinematic debut for the actress.
Most Makeup In A Drama Award – Ghair
This dubious accolade is extended to the drama Ghair, where tons and tons of pancake was off-loaded on to the faces of the entire female cast, finished off with a dash of eyeliner, some false eyelashes and colored lenses, if you please.
The women in Ghair wore makeup in their sleep, makeup at funerals, makeup when they were being kicked out of their homes, makeup when they were committing suicide, makeup when they were having a catfight with other makeup-laden costars. Curling irons and hair straighteners must also have been scattered aplenty across the Ghair set, based on how perfectly coiffured all the women were.
Think Naagin. Think Star Plus dramas. Think huge sales for makeup brands.
Fiercest Female Villain In A Drama Award – Saba Hamid
Saba Hamid is an actress beyond par excellence and she only highlighted this fact with the drama ‘Noor Jahan’ this year where she played the evil mother-in-law with such expertise that you hated her for it, loved her for it, loved to hate her for it.
Cocking an imperious eyebrow, chin held high, the domineering Noor Jahan was the classic mother-in-law from hell. And while evil mother-in-laws are a dime a dozen on TV, somehow Saba Hamid’s rendition was more memorable, more impactful.
What’s great is that right after Noor Jahan, the audience saw her play the good mother in the dramas Sunn Mere Dil and Ghair and she also played those roles with remarkable ease.
As villains go, though, Saba Hamid as Noor Jahan made you shake in your knees!
Fiercest Female Villain In A Drama Award – Hareem Farooq
Whoever knew that Hareem Farooq, hitherto associated with feel-good romantic leads, could play the role of a manipulative, selfish vamp with such ease? With Bismil, Hareem became the character that a widespread audience hated with great passion and at the same time, she won accolades for having enacted the role so brilliantly.
It’s heartening to see that despite knowing that her character might be disliked for her on-screen antics, Hareem bravely chose to take on the role of the no-good Masooma in Bismil. The risk worked out very well for her indeed.
Hit-most Heroine Award – Kubra Khan
How does Kubra Khan have a knack for zoning in on diverse scripts that work wonders for her and showcase her acting abilities best? In 2023, she proved her mettle as a manipulative talk show host in Jannat Se Aagay and this year, she played a savior, holding her ground against the most evil of all evil mother-in-laws, in the drama Noor Jahan.
A natural on screen, emoting with her eyes and her voice, Kubra’s skills are distinctive. There is something about Kubra Khan that draws the eye towards her every time she is on screen. That’s a rare talent.
Standout Director Award – Badar Mehmood
Badar Mehmood’s directorial skills were showcased brilliantly in the drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. Of course, the director has helmed many other hit, much-acclaimed dramas but – while he has often refuted this – there have been many times when his work seems to have gotten distorted due to unnecessary flashbacks and slow-motion scenes that tend to be added in so that a story gets elongated and generates more profits.
There was no such gimmickry at play in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum and Badar Mehmood seemed to have been given a free rein to tell the story in detail, capturing nuances and emotions, moving the narrative at a pace that instantly connected with the audience. One hopes to see more of such fine storytelling from this director in the future.
Standout Director Award – Kashif Nisar
Kashif Nisar’s expertise lies in taking stories that are ordinary at first glance and making them special. His camera will capture details, zoom in on emotions, pan out to showcase history and culture, tilt at artistic angles to make a scene more impactful.
The drama Mann Jogi is a case in point: an emotional, mildly romantic story, which was told so beautifully that it became one of the finest recent works in the TV drama genre. His work is always standout as it was this year.
Best Title Track For A Drama Award – Ahmed Jehanzeb for Ishq Murshid
One of the best things about the drama Ishq Murshid was ‘Tere Mera Hai Pyar Amar’, sung soulfully by Ahmed Jehanzeb. The song would play out very regularly in the drama, accentuating the romance, building up emotion. And it was so hummable that it would keep playing in your head even after you had seen the drama.
Some of us are still humming it.
Worst Scriptwriting Award – Khalil ur Rehman Qamar
This accolade is an unfortunate one, extended to a writer who has penned some very popular dramas in recent times. In 2024, though, the infamous Khalil Sahab seemed to have lost the plot or at least the ability to edit his own work.
In Gentleman, he wrote about a mafia don who falls in love and turns over a new leaf. In the process, this don and everyone else around him speak in long, poetic, repetitive dialogues and indulge in long, excruciatingly slow scenes that may sometimes make no sense. In Sunn Mere Dil, he turned his attention to a Devdas-esque rich playboy and the motley crew of strange characters that form his world. Khalil Sahab’s expertise in wordplay is still very much there – it’s just that instead of writing one impactful line, he puts down 10. And the story becomes long. And tedious. And silly.
Vampire Award – Khalil ur Rehman Qamar
He’s no Edward Cullen and yet, the Vampire Award goes out to Khalil ur Rehman Qamar who can’t leave his house during the day because doctors have forbidden him to do so. Instead, he can only roam the city in the late hours of the night which was when he went out to meet a fan and proceeded to get ‘honey-trapped’ in an unfortunate incident.
What is this world? Even vampires can’t live in peace.
Best Debut Award – Shahvir Kadwani
The young Shahvir Kadwani held his own very well amidst the star-studded cast of Sunn Mere Dil. It was hard to believe that this was the very first time that this boy had ventured on to the screen. His role wasn’t an easy one, with his character grappling with the loss of his father, a fatal disease and the emotional turmoil of the people that he cares about. And yet, Shahvir was a natural.
Undeniably, his performance in Sunn Mere Dil marks a very promising start to this young actor’s acting career.
Holier Than Thou Award – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
This award goes to the much-misjudged Rahat Fateh Ali Khan who has a strong allegiance for the holy water given to him by his Pir Sahab. So attached was he to his ‘Pir Sahab Ke Dum keeyay huay paani ki botal’, that when he found out that it was missing, he flew into a rage and thrashed the person who he thought had stolen it. The video of this particular episode somehow got leaked and the world at large wondered what was so special about this bottle.
Rahat soon took to social media to explain. Of course, violence for whatever reason is wrong and one hopes that Rahat doesn’t get quite so angry again, even if his dum wala pani gets misplaced again. Such an elevated man, dedicated so selflessly to his Pir Sahab.
Most Good-looking Celebrity Showstopper Award – Emmad Irfani
Emmad Irfani – once model, now actor and a star all-around – is undoubtedly good-looking but the particular award of Most Good-looking Celebrity Showstopper gets bestowed on him because he has the rare ability to make even the weirdest clothes look good. For instance, take the outfit by Almirah that Emmad wore at this year’s Hum Bridal Couture Week. It was unfathomable that any brand would take on an actor as good-looking and as popular as Emmad and make him dress like this and yet, Almirah chose to do so. Emmad wore an all-red suit accompanied with a matching cape.
And somehow, he looked more superhero, less silly.
Note to brands that aren’t that great at designing: splurge out on Emmad Irfani for your showstopper. He will make your clothes look good even when they are not.
Strangest Dirty Proposition Award – Sunn Mere Dil
In the weird world of TV dramas and particularly if that world is masterminded by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, when a pious, morally correct girl is desperate for money so that she can save her brother from a fatal disease, she approaches a rich playboy and offers herself to him.
She’ll gulp. She’ll keep her gaze lowered. Her voice will break. But she’ll keep insisting that, for the sake of Rs 8 crore, she is willing to do ‘anything’ – anything! – with this man. And if the man says that he is willing to give her the money regardless, she will insist again and again and again.
This scene from the drama Sunn Mere Dil, featuring Wahaj Ali and Maya Ali, was the strangest proposition to be seen in a drama this year – or perhaps, ever.
Best Concert To Show-off At Award – Diljit Dosanjh Singh
Any time Diljit Dosanjh Singh has a concert, an entire crowd from Pakistan flies off to different corners of the world to see it. That entire crowd then logs on to social media and posts images and videos of the concert. How cool.
One didn’t know that Diljit Dosanjh Singh had so many fans in Pakistan. One didn’t know that they loved his music with such devotion.
What do they love more, though? The music or showing off that they were at the concert?
India-Pakistan Dosti Award – Badshah and Hania Aamir
The barbed border dividing India and Pakistan is merely political and otherwise, Indians and Pakistanis can forge strong friendships – like Indian rapper Badshah and our girl Hania Aamir. The two are obviously very good friends, hanging out together, quipping with each other through Instastories and social media in both India and Pakistan reporting it all with great excitement.
Is there more to the friendship? Let’s not go there until they tell us otherwise. A boy and a girl can be friends. So can an Indian and a Pakistani.
They get the India-Pakistan Dosti Award.
Superstar Designer Award – Faraz Manan
This award goes to Faraz Manan who just keeps growing from strength to strength. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Faraz, today, is one of the most coveted designers in the Indo-Pak subcontinent. The Bollywood stars wear his clothes, so do Pakistan’s most famous. His designs are seen at the awards ceremony, the lavish wedding, the high-society soiree and then, he tops it off by becoming the only Pakistani designer to be featured in the highly exclusive BoF 500 list.
This year, like the past many years, was a fantastic one for the designer. Keep making us proud, Faraz!
Fashion Power-player Award – Rastah
Why take small tentative steps in the global market when you can shake things up with a bang? That’s what Rastah has always done. From its inception, the brand has set some very ambitious goals for itself and year after year, one sees it gaining more clout. Seen wearing Rastah this year were some major international names like Justin Bieber, Timothee Chalamet, Barry Keoghan and Zayn Malik. And then, setting its eyes on the U.S. market, the brand set up a pop-up store in Soho New York for an entire month.
The marketing, accompanied by regular collections, has worked wonders – anyone who’s anyone wants to get on to the Rastah bandwagon (and feel like they’re Justin Bieber for a while?). There is no doubt that Rastah is a major power-player, putting Pakistani fashion on the global map.
Confidence Goals Award – Chahat Fateh Ali Khan
The word ‘confidence’ in the dictionary could be accompanied by a picture of Chahat Fateh Ali Khan. It seems that when he sings a ‘Bado Badi’ or says that his next single will be called ‘Chal Paiya Paiya Paiya’, he’s actually serious about it. When Indian rapper Karan Aujla responds to Chahat Fateh Ali Khan’s rendition of the Bollywood hit ‘Tauba Tauba’ and writes on Instastory, ‘Uncle na kro please’, Chahat Fateh Ali Khan takes it as a compliment.
He thanks his fans regularly, talks with a straight face about his musical prowess and is disappointed that his brethren from Pakistan don’t appreciate his talent.
Such unshakeable confidence is rare. Goals!
Most Creative Designer Lawn Award – Sania Maskatiya
In the crowded market for designer lawn, Sania Maskatiya’s fledgling range of unstitched fabric has made waves simply because the collection is a priced-down translation of the brand’s very high-end aesthetic. From color to embellishment to the very high quality fabric that is used, it’s a line that is pricier than other options in the market and yet, very covetable. The florals embroidered all along the shirt, the fauna flitting about a luxe silk dupatta and the free-flowing chiffon dupattas are all instantly recognizable as Sania Maskatiya – that’s how designer unstitched collections need to be.
Putting Pakistan On The Global Map Award – Mohsin Naveed Ranjha
This award goes to designer Mohsin Naveed Ranjha and his vision for his brand, as he goes about diversifying to multiple collections and flagship stores. In 2024, Mohsin became the first Pakistani to establish a retail point in London, with a store which opened in a prime location in the city, off Regent Street. While many others in the industry have been catering to international clientele through online orders or, at most, exhibits or a store in the Middle East, Mohsin chose to tap into the considerable desi market in the UK, including ex-pat Pakistanis, Indians and Bengalis.
Having a strong online presence is essential in these times but at the same time, a brick-and-mortar store is indicative of a brand’s dedication towards building a market in a certain area, allowing potential customers to see designs firsthand. It’s great to see the rapid growth of the MNR brand. And it’s gratifying to see Pakistani fashion strengthen its footprint in the global market.
Most Creative Designer Award – Fahad Hussayn
In fashion’s desultory landscape, Fahad Hussayn stands out like a beacon of hope. At a time when most designers are satisfied with generic shoots of collections that can be rolled out on social media and simultaneously be utilized in their e-stores, Fahad’s passion for uplifting his collections through creative campaigns still runs strong. He comes up with a campaign’s mood and concept, devises sets for the shoot and delves into every nitty-gritty, from creating the accessories to getting original musical scores composed to accompany the fashion videos to having a very particular vision for the styling.
Similarly, a Fahad Hussayn fashion show stands out because it delivers an experience rather than merely showcases clothes. There will be song and dance, props, rose petals strewn all over the catwalk and narrations delving into magic and romance creating a storyline for the show. But there needs to be more to fashion than merely dhol dhamaka and beyond the fanfare, the clothes have a beauty of their own. Etched out through print and detailed hand embroideries are peacocks peeking at the hem of a long shirt, a bird in motion and artistic, enchanting flora. There will be funky jackets and long coats in a rainbow of colors and they will be accompanied by a statement bag or a gorgeous pair of earrings.
It’s gratifying that Pakistani fashion has Fahad Hussayn, who still wants to go the extra mile for each and every collection that he creates and who exemplifies that, even in these commerce-centric times, creativity can help amplify a collection and make it stand out.
Hit-Most Designer Lawn Award – Farah Talib Aziz
Come summer, an entire crowd of avid lawn lovers awaits Farah Talib Aziz’s summer unstitched fabric collection. What makes FTA lawn sell so well year after year is the brand’s commitment to maintaining great quality and the innovations in design. The beauty lies in the details of an FTA unstitched collection; the changes in color, embellishment and the incorporation of new techniques that sets a lineup apart from that of the previous year’s.
It’s a hit designer lawn – and one good reason too!
Acting Sensation Award – Sehar Khan
Sehar Khan’s career has been spiraling upwards and we’ve just been enjoying the ride. Last year’s Fairytale, parts one and two, were simply precursors to the innovative paths the actress explored this year. In Jafaa, she played the young, immature girl, grappling with the emotional upheavals in her life. In Tann Mann Neel o Neel, she’s taken over the screen, as the gregarious, spirited heroine with a brave, sensitive nature.
Sehar’s latent talent has been very evident in both dramas, emulating the emotional ups and downs of her characters with ease, owning the emotionally distressing scenes just as effortlessly as the happy-go-lucky ones. Simply sensational.
Acting Sensation Award – Shuja Asad
What a year it’s been for Shuja Asad! The young actor came squarely in the spotlight in the drama Khaie with the audience rooting for him even while knowing that his character would eventually die. He followed this performance with even better ones. In Aye Ishq e Junoon, he plays the unscrupulous, manipulative bad boy. In complete contrast, in Tann Mann Neel o Neel, he is the good-hearted, sensitive, professional dancer. The characters that he is enacting are so different and yet, Shuja is very believable throughout. He has also wrapped up shooting for another drama – Paradise, opposite Iqra Aziz – which is set to release soon.
There’s more: his performance at the Hum Style Awards was one of the very best at the show. Not only can this boy act, he can dance really well too!
Shuja, of course, is also very good-looking but it takes more than looks to make a mark in the competitive field of TV dramas. And Shuja Asad is on a roll.
Acting Sensation Award – Ali Raza
Ali Raza’s success story has one cheering. Only some time ago, TV drama makers were intent on relegating this young actor to side roles simply because he had played the aggressive brother-in-law very well in 2023’s Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri. Ali chose to step away from these scripts and wait until more interesting roles came his way.
One such role was in the drama Noor Jahan which, from a vantage point, may have seemed to have a female-centric script but the intelligent narrative allowed space for every character to make an impact. And Ali made sure that he caught the audience’s attention with his particular enactment.
A guest role in Duniyapur got noticed but then came Iqtidar, the mushy, heavy-duty romance which has had the audience hooked. Ali has been casting smoldering looks and building up tension in a plethora of innuendo-laden scenes, playing the solo romantic lead for all that its worth. He has evidently put a lot of thought into playing the character – even developing a particular idiosyncrasy for the manipulative Shah Nawaz Shah, who keeps twisting a ring around his finger.
Now that he has the audience in the palm of his hands, the future looks bright for this young actor and one hopes that he continues to strengthen his repertoire with more and more hit roles.
Acting Sensation Award – Sabeena Farooq
Sabeena Farooq has been proving her mettle time and again and this year, with her performance in Mann Jogi, she added yet another remarkable role to her roster. Eschewing makeup altogether, she expertly played the young girl on the run, torn between what she knew was right and societal pressures.
Sabeena’s command over her performance and her commitment to her craft is very visible in each successive role that she takes on. She is certainly an actress to watch out for in coming years.
Best Drama Writer Award – Farhat Ishtiaq
Farhat Ishtiaq has some very fine work to her credit but certainly, the drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum will be remembered as one of the best scripts to be written by her ever. With well-developed characters, a riveting storyline and social commentaries woven into the storyline, Farhat’s keen understanding of the human psyche, her wizardry with words and her mastery over storytelling was visible throughout the drama.
Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’s cast may have won massive acclaim through the drama but there are many more stars who made sure that the story would shine. Farhat Ishtiaq is one such star. The characters she created and the dialogues she penned will always be remembered.
Best Drama Writer Award – Mustafa Afridi
Mustafa Afridi’s wordplay is remarkable. His script is layered with meaning, poetic without becoming too convoluted, packed with wit, emotion, romance, social messages and action. This year, his writing shone in the impactful Zard Patton Ka Bunn as well as in Tann Mann Neel o Neel and Faraar.
His script is so nuanced that, much like a work of literature, one wants to remember some of the dialogues for later. Truly one of TV’s finest.
Directorial Sensation Award – Musaddiq Malek
The director’s chair is not a new one to Musaddiq Malek but 2024 definitely stands out as the year when the audience sat up and took notice of his work. Taking on the more or less generic storyline of Noor Jahan, he transformed it into an intelligent narrative, charting the story’s ups and downs in detail and giving adequate screen-time to every character so that at no point did the drama seem half-baked.
Following the success of Noor Jahan has been Faraar, the star-studded Next Level Entertainment drama which he is co-directing with senior director Wajahat Hussain. The drama has just started airing and will possibly extend into quite a few months in 2025 but it is undeniable that in a short time, Musaddiq Malek has established himself as a director to watch out for.
Pakistan’s Sweetheart Award – Anmol Baloch
Petite and absolutely gorgeous, Anmol Baloch is certainly Pakistan’s favorite sweetheart. A sweep through Anmol’s career reveals that she is particularly successful at playing the romantic lead in long, intense plays and in the tail-end of 2024, she’s done so with particular ease in the drama Iqtidar. Her character is forthright, confident, outspoken but also secretly hopelessly in love with her husband while pretending to not like him at all.
Aah. That’s the sort of formula that the desi audience particularly loves. And Anmol’s certainly a pro at romance, Iqtidar only being the latest feather in her cap.
Favorite Travel Destination Award – London
London is undoubtedly the Pakistani entertainment frat’s favorite travel destination. We’ve seen so many of them roaming its streets this year, sampling the food, exploring famous sites and take long road trips. The best thing: there air fare was free, thanks to the Hum TV Network, which had invited them all there for the Hum Awards.
One wonders what our celebrities’ next favorite travel destination will be, come 2025? It depends on wherever the Hum Awards are taking place.
Favorite Mafia Lord Award – Adnan Siddiqui as Rehmati
The drama Gentleman may not have resonated too well with the audience but actor Adnan Siddiqui certainly emerged as a victor with his enactment of the evil but comical villain Rehmati. Adnan completely transformed himself while playing Rehmati; accessorizing with chunky gold jewelry, his white hair slicked back and a little pouch of some substance (that mafia lords must keep by them) in his pocket. From his body language to his way of speaking and his expressions, Adnan’s Rehmati stands out as one of the actor’s most memorable roles. What a stellar performance!
Foot In Mouth Award – Adnan Siddiqui
This doubtful accolade also goes out to Adnan Siddiqui who, in the spirit of candidness, decided to liken women to flies while in a live talk show on ARY Digital with Nida Yasir. Evidently, he had been referring to a quote made in a famous Urdu literary text and was merely being humorous. But the comment came out wrong.
Aside from this troublesome little episode, it’s been a great year for Adnan Siddiqui, with multiple critically acclaimed performances in dramas as well as returning to his throne as ‘Badshah’ in the ARY Digital reality show Tamasha. Live talk shows, perhaps, aren’t his cup of tea.
Breakthrough Performance Award – Saad Qureshi
Saad Qureshi is not new to the TV drama-scape and he does have past hits to his credit – 2022’s Woh Pagal Si comes to mind. However, this year, he irrefutably stood out for his performance in the drama Bismil. Saad held his own in a cast which included renowned veterans like Naumaan Ijaz and Savera Nadeem and easily slipped into the skin of the distressed Musa. There was so much sincerity in the way that he enacted the character that there were many times that the audience cried with Musa and later, cried for him.
It was a memorable performance and one that highlighted Saad’s talent very well. One hopes that this young actor gets more interesting roles in the future that allow him to explore his craft even more.
The Girl Who Has Everything Award – Sarah Khan
Sarah Khan’s living a charmed life and there is much on her Instagram feed that makes one smile. Her interactions with her little daughter, for instance, are endearing. She has a thriving career and the love of a massive fan following. Her rare public appearances also reveal that beyond the celebrity razzle dazzle, she is very down to earth and honest. Of course, Sara also gets a rose – or more than one rose – everyday from her husband, musician Falak Shabbir. She’s drop dead gorgeous and people who know her vouch that she’s genuinely very nice. And she’s very talented – one looks forward to dramas starring Sarah Khan.
Throughout the year, one also got to know much more about all that Sarah has: a new iPhone given to her as an anniversary gift, a new car, a new farmhouse that she got as a surprise. It’s all there on social media for the world to see.
She’s just the girl who has everything. Good for her. We’re cheering for her. Why does she want the world to know about it? Particularly in these economically troubling times when many are struggling to merely make ends meet.
Most Thought-provoking TV Content Award – HUM TV Network
The HUM TV Network stood out this year for producing a range of dramas which were well-narrated, intelligent and delivered thought-provoking content. There was Zard Patton Ka Bunn, a collaborative effort with the Kashf Foundation, directed by Saife Hassan and written by Mustafa Afridi. Woven into the drama’s storyline were some very important messages that hit hard and raised the bar for TV drama storytelling. The cast, with Hamza Sohail and Sajal Aly as leads, left a lasting impact with their performances.
Similarly, Jafaa, directed by Danish Nawaz and written by Samira Fazal, with Mohib Mirza, Mawra Hocane, Usman Mukhtar and Sehar Khan in pivotal roles, touched upon some very sensitive topics like male infertility, domestic abuse and mental health.
Particularly impactful was the triad of short drama series produced by Sultana Siddiqui. All three dramas – Mann Jogi, written by Zafar Mairaj and directed by Kashif Nisar, Nadaan, written by Saji Gul and directed by Mehreen Jabbar and Tann Mann Neel o Neel, written by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Saife Hassan – cleverly touched upon the politicization of morality and religion for personal gain and the mass destruction that can be wreaked by an angered mob. Beautifully performed and narrated, each drama will always be memorable.
With its focus on responsible storytelling, the Hum TV Network exemplified how TV’s mass reach can be utilized towards educating the audience and improving their mindsets. Bravo!
Hit-most Producer Award – Abdullah Seja, IDream Entertainment
This was a year when multiple production houses stood out for their exceptional storytelling but Abdullah Seja of IDream Entertainment particularly churned out a hit-list of dramas. Most prominent amongst these was the hit romance Radd, the massively popular sequel to Baby Baji, Baby Baji Ki Bahuwain and then, wrapping up the year with a bang, the mega-hit Bismil.
One did not enjoy the slow, tedious storyline of Sukoon but overall, it’s obvious that Abdullah Seja has a knack for knowing what clicks with the audience. From devising memorable drama title tracks to curating casts of exceptional actors and selecting stories that will top the charts, he is definitely this year’s hit-most producer.
Musial Genius Award – Xulfi
Mixing and merging musical genres, playing with colorful visuals, dance and elaborate sets, Xulfi’s musical genius and vision was visible yet again in this year’s Coke Studio. It would be fair to say that with his countless contributions to the Pakistani music industry – the latest being his work as the mastermind behind Coke Studio – Xulfi has been instrumental in shaping Pakistani music into its present-day form. This year he also partnered with Warner Music through Giraffe, ensuring that Pakistan’s musical talent was registered around the world.
This accolade isn’t really limited to 2024. Xulfi’s knack for knowing what clicks with the audience and his ability to think out of the box all through the course of his musical career has been remarkable.
Musical Sensations Award – Aur
Aur made waves all through this year, whether it was through their collaboration with internationally renowned artist Zayn Malik, the hit title track ‘Chal diye’ that they sang for the drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum or their various releases and frequent concerts.
With their very young, very catchy music, this band has become a major favorite in the modern-day Pakistani music scene. We want to see ‘aur’ musical milestones set by them in the future.
Best Song – Blockbuster by Coke Studio
True to its name, this song was a Blockbuster. Featuring Faris Shafi, Umair Butt of Butt Brothers and the all-female Gharwi Group, the Coke Studio hit was very hummable, very danceable and also a visual treat! Half pop and half folk, with some very snappy background dancers and the artists grooving along with them in the video, the song is testament to the talent of Pakistan’s musicians and Coke Studio curator and producer Xulfi’s genius.
Faris Shafi’s rap monologue was followed by Umair Butt delivering his rendition in Punjabi and then, the Gharwi Group joined in with melodious verses that got stuck in your head! The song has, to date, gotten more than 50 million views on YouTube. How could it not?
Most Unfortunate Press Meet And Greet Award – Fahad Mustafa and Hania Aamir’s U.S. Trip
It was unfortunate when Fahad Mustafa and Hania Aamir’s meet and greet tour through the U.S., following the superhit success of the drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, ran into controversy. News filtered out that Hania and her manager had faced some issues with the tour organizers, leading to Hania leaving the event in Dallas midway without saying goodbye to fans. Soon afterwards, both Hania and Fahad left the venue, evidently after having had a fight with the organizers and utilizing their own private transport to return to their hotels.
A blame game ensued, fueled by gossip on Twitter, videos of disappointed fans from the event and statements being issued by the organizers as well as by Hania, who expressed her love for her fans and explained why she had left so abruptly. Later, another meet and greet – in Virginia – was cancelled at the last minute. The organizer soon took to social media to elaborate that the cancellation was due to ‘technical reasons’ and thanked both Fahad and Hania for their dedication during the U.S.A. trip. Despite this, social media has been rife with conspiracy theories.
What must have really happened? Did the actors have to bear with rude behavior from the organizers or were they expected to do more than what their contracts had dictated? Did the organizers have to bear with unprofessionalism? It seems that whatever issues had arisen have now been resolved but it has left one with a bad taste in the mouth.
Dramas are the single, most powerful medium putting Pakistani entertainment in the limelight internationally and it gives one patriotic pride when they are celebrated on a global scale. When our actors are surrounded by excited crowds from around the world and their work receives appreciation beyond Pakistan, it is a powerplay not just for them but also for the country. On the other hand, when they get embroiled in such controversies during international tours, it is distressing. It is particularly sad when fans excitedly waiting to meet with actors don’t get to do so. Dedicated, loyal fan followings are precious and it is important that celebrities reciprocate the love given to them.
One also knows that tours often get marred due to breaches of contract and unprofessional expectations from celebrities by the organizers.
It is not clear what happened at the ill-fated U.S. tour. What one does know is that our actors are exceptional and it is sad when their hard work gets clouded by negativity.
What do you think?