Twenty years ago when Lux Style Awards began its journey, not even the brains behind it would have been sure of its impact on the entertainment scene. From films to TV, fashion to music, LSA gradually emerged as a brand that sets trends instead of following them. Even two decades later, the quality of the content did not decrease and it is still regarded as one of the most coveted awards in the industry.
This year they celebrated their 20 years in style in Karachi. The award ceremony took place last week on Saturday and the venue was not disclosed until last hour for security reasons and to avoid gate crashers. The ceremony was a mixture of the traditional and contemporary and was attended by fully-vaccinated nominees, and the jury members of music, fashion and television categories. The event was hosted by Mansha Pasha, Mehwish Hayat, Ahmed Ali Butt and Ahsan Khan. For a change, bulk of the coverage was done by bloggers instead of the usual print journalists who were less in numbers.
While all the performers gave their best to entertain those in attendance, LUX girl Mahira Khan stole the show by dancing on as many as three songs. Be it her performance at the Lux anthem, on hit film numbers Haye Dil Bechara and Morey Saiyan, the spotlight remained on her throughout the event. Others to perform at the event included 90s divas Meera and Resham, and chocolate hero Sheheryar Munawwar while co-hosts Mehwish Hayat, Ahmed Ali Butt and Ahsan Khan were amongst those who also set the stage on fire.
Be it the new LSA anthem helmed by Bilal Maqsood featuring Aima Baig, Uzair Jaswal, Natasha Baig, and Young Stunners, or Asim Azhar’s tribute to the recently departed Farhad Humayun, everything was done in a befitting manner for television audience. Tabish Hashmi’s comedy entertained the limited audience in the SOP-compliant event whereas most of the people in attendance got emotional when a tribute was paid to the late Haseena Moin, and Lifetime Achievement Awards were handed to legendary singer Farida Khanum and designer Banto Kazmi for their invaluable contribution to music and fashion.
There were many others who went home with a trophy and a million dollar smile. In the music category, Aziz Kazi of Shantaram fame was declared the Best Emerging Talent while Abbas Ali Khan was adjudged Best Singer for Mein Yeh Janoun Na. Bayan’s Teri Tasveer bagged two awards, one for the Best Song and another for the Best Music Video Director for which Hamza Bin Tahir took the trophy.
In the fashion category, Sara Zulfiqar ended up with winning the Emerging Talent-Fashion Award whereas Sunil Nawab, Najam Mehmood and Ismail Farid received Best Makeup Artist, Best Fashion Photographer and Best Menswear Award respectively. Generation was awarded for their achievement in Fashion Design (Pret), Hussain Rehar for Luxury Pret while Shehla Chatoor won the same award for her Bridal Couture.
As for the Model of the Year, Mushk Kaleem won the trophy in the female category while Sachal Afzal, who last year was declared Emerging Talent jumped to the main award of the Best Male model this year.
And finally comes the most awaited category of Television, where the battle was between two main channels, with the third one opting out of the race for reasons unknown. While Umera Ahmed won the Best Writer Award for Alif, and Ehd-e-Wafa took home the Best Play and Best Original Sound Track awards, it was a night to remember for Pyar Ke Sadqay. Not only did Yumna Zaidi bag both the Critics’ Choice and Viewers’ Choice awards for Best Actor (Female), Bilal Abbas Khan and Farooq Rind ended up with the Best Actor (Male) Critics’ award and Best Director award respectively.
Danish Taimoor won the Best Actor (Male) as per Viewers’ Choice for his super hit play Deewangi where he excelled as a stalker turned bad guy. It was good to see Ehd-e-Wafa’s Gulzar played by Adnan Samad Khan to win the trophy for the Best Emerging Talent.
Since COVID-19 has made life a little complicated so there was no film award this year since only one film Record was released during COVID-19, and cinemas closed soon after its release. Let’s hope next year sees the return of cinemas, films and film awards.
Here is the complete list of winners of the 20th Lux Style Awards.
Fashion
Model of the year (Female): Mushk Kaleem
Model of the year (Male): Sachal Afzal
Achievement in Fashion Design – Bridal Couture: Shehla Chatoor
Achievement in Fashion Design – Luxury Pret: Hussain Rehar
Achievement in Fashion Design – Pret: Generation
Emerging Talent – Fashion: Sara Zulfiqar
Best Makeup Artist: Sunil Nawab
Best Fashion Photographer: Najam Mehmood
Best Menswear: Ismail Farid
MUSIC
Best emerging Talent Music: Aziz Kazi for Shantaram
Best Music Video Director: Hamza Bin Tahir for Teri Tasveer
Best Song: Teri Tasveer by Bayan
Best Singer: Abbas Ali Khan – Mein Yeh Janoun Na
TELEVISION
Best Writer: Umera Ahmed – Alif
Best Actor (Female) Critics’ Choice: Yumna Zaidi for Pyaar Ke Sadqay
Best Actor (Female) Viewers’ Choice: Yumna Zaidi for Pyaar Ke Sadqay
Best Actor (Male) – Critics’ Choice: Bilal Abbas for Pyaar Ke Sadqay
Best Actor (Male) – Viewers’ Choice: Danish Taimoor for Deewangi
Best TV Serial: Ehd-e-Wafa – Momina Duraid and ISPR
Best TV Director: Farooq Rind for Pyaar Ke Sadqay
Best Original Soundtrack: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Ehd-e-Wafa k Naam Kiya in Ehd-e-Wafa
Best Emerging Talent: Adnan Samad Khan for Ehd-e-Wafa
SPECIAL AWARDS
Lux Changemakers Award: Haseena Moin (Writer)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bunto Kazmi (Fashion)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Farida Khanum