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With Glitz and glamour, Pakistani Oscar is back! And this time definitely with a bang. For the past 11 years Lux has been redefining itself as a stand out award show incorporating the impeccable style, sheer elegance and consummate hard work. It is sadly, the only award show that is this big and brings the fashion, T.V, films and Music industry together under one roof. Yet, it is much anticipated and within years it has gained popularity among the masses because of the growth of media in Pakistan.

The Red Carpet

Held at the Expo Centre Karachi, the red carpet which was indeed green was budding with high profile personage from every domain of fashion, television, music and films. Embellished in their favorite designer signatures the stars were looking their best.

Faisal Qureshi was wearing Muneeb Nawaz’s white shimmery suit accessorized by brown shades. The star has been associated with LSA for his various nominations over the years. He looked pretty confident and happy this year as well although he was uncertain whether he or not he will be winning the award.

Bushra Ansari looked beautiful in white saari. The veteran actress has won many accolades in nearly every LSA. Josh Band was also wearing Muneeb Nawaz in black. Junaid from Call band looked great in black tux.

Among other female celebrities, T.V. host and actor Mathira was draped in shiny one shoulder less off white Ali Xeeshan gown with floral body work.

Javed Sheikh was also in black carrying himself well. His daughter Moomil Sheikh, and the host of the green carpet, too, looked gorgeous in a turquoise floor length gown.

Amina Shaikh looked sparkling in a gold strapless gown while Mr. and Mrs. Behroz Sabzwari complimented each other in black and white.

Ali Zafar was in his comfortable James Bond look in black tux. Sadia Imam looked ethereal in pink saari; Sana was seen in red ensemble, Mahira looked beautiful in Aqua gown.

Over all, the event was a star studded night with promising names being spotted.

Bindya looked breathtaking in red saari. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, the Oscar Lady was shining in Sania Maskatiya outfit.

Humaima Malik was also seen in shade of white. Saba Qamar looked gorgeous in white floor length gown.

Some prominent figures from fashion industry were seen highlighting the green carpet. Ali Safina looked humble in his three pieces Arsalan Yahsir suit. Hira Tareen looked ravishing in Sanam Chaudhry jumpsuit.

ZQ was spotted in navy blue Sana Shahnawaz dress while Kunain was wearing emerald gown with an embellished neckline. Kamiar Rokni was wearing Omar Farooq of Republic and was all smiles for the award show, calling it a decade of glamour and style. Ali Xeeshan, too, was seen in black along with veteran designer Deepak Parwani. Supermodel Ayaan Ali was seen in Deepak Parwani fishtail gown.

The Award Ceremony

The award show kick started with Saba Qamar and Ahmad Ali Butt hosting the show. The pair gave their best with witty and humorous comments including the Urdu version of Smack That by Ahmed..

A magical spell performance by Saima Azher was the first of the show. Junaid Khan and Mathira gave a heartfelt dance performance on one of Ahmed Rushdie’s songs. Sana was also seen performing on one of the Legend’s songs along with Ahsan Khan. Meera charmed the audience with her captivating expressions on one of the songs picturised on Waheed Murad being screened at the background.

Ali Zafar paid tribute to the late Ghazal Maestro Mehdi Hassan for which he tweeted, “Honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to pay tribute to the greatest legend Mehdi Hassan at #LSA on the year of his passing.”

Later dance performances were followed by Ali Zafar and Humaima Malik on the actor’s songs from his film London, Paris, New York. The duo also participated in what looked like an Antakshari competition, along with Ahmed Butt and Meera in the front row during the award show.

As the award night proceeded, the first domain to be awarded in was the Film. ‘Bol,’ a Shoaib Mansoor’s much hit film clean sweeped three awards, including the award for Best Film, Best Actress and Best Actor being awarded to Manzer Sehbhai. Humaima Malik was thrilled to receive the award thanking LSA for making her feel super.

Next line up was the Lux Style Achievement Award presented by Javed Sheikh and Bindya to Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy for her Oscar winning documentary ‘Saving Face.’ Chinoy was in awe claiming that the award means more than Oscar because this is Pakistani and it’s a sight of honor.

Next category of awards was related to television (Terrestrial). Noman Ejaz grabbed the award for Best Actor for PTV’s much acclaimed drama Aao kahani Buntay Hain. Sanam Baloch for her ethereal performance in PTV’s Sehra Teri Piyas won Best Actress award. Without any guessing Hum Channel’s Humsafar OST, ‘Who Humsafar tha’ won Best soundtrack.

In the music category, first award to be presented was Best Emerging Talent; which was honored to Bumbu Sauce. Mera Bichhra Yaar won two accolades; one for Best Music Video and the other for Best Music Director to Adnan Malik. The director was humbled and extended the credit to Strings and Zoe Viccaji.

Ali Zafar’s album Jhoom achieved the Best Music Album award followed by Quratul Ain Baloch’s mesmerizing title track of Humsafar, ‘Who Humsafar tha’ as the Best Song of the year.

The fashion category was much awaited award ceremony of the night. Zaheer Abbas who was among the favorites, won the award for Best Emerging Talent. Best Dressed Male and Female of the night went to Umair Tabani and designer Sanam Chaudhry.

Rizwanul Haq celebrated award in the category, Best Fashion Photographer. This marks his 2nd consecutive win. The Creative Team at Nabila was honored with the award for Best Hair and Makeup Artist.

Kamiar Rokni was astounded with his winning in the category for Best Achievement in prêt.

While Sania Maskatiya won the style award in luxury prêt. Khaadi was dignified with Best High Street Brand award and Omar Farooq of Republic expressed joy over his award for Best Menswear Designer.

Male model of the year was the much deserved ‘bearded’ and handsome man Abbas Jafri while in the female category Cybil Chaudhry took top honours.

In the last segment of the award’s night, Television (Satellite), there were some pleasant surprises. Faisal Qureshi the indisputable, won yet again, this year for his larger than life performance in ARY’s Roag.

Sawera Nadeem who was taken aback first, with the nomination earlier, was now much humbled while accepting the award for Best Actress for Hum TV’s Qaid-e-Tanhai. T.V. writer Sameera Fazal won the award in her respective category for Mera Naseeb.

For Best TV serial ARY’s Mera Saeein won with ease as it was one of the year’s best serial with the exception of Humsafar which was the most popular drama among the masses.

Sarmad Khoosat who had a great year with his directorial debut Paani Jaisa Pyaar and the blockbuster serial Humsafar won Best Director (for all channels) for the former serial.

Parting Notes

All in all this year’s award ceremony was a landmark as it boasted 26 categories compared to last   year’s 11. It’s great to see that young fresh talents are being appreciated and above all this year LSA was streamed live on the internet going bigger than ever.

However said, the viral version was not very well received as it had technical flaws. The award winners were well received by the audience and the internet viewers. Special standing ovation goes to Ali Zafar for his soulful performance in paying tribute to legendary Mehdi Hassan. It is believed that no one could have pulled a better job than him. One of the best things about this year’s LSA was that it was very ‘desi’ at heart with shimmering kurtas and frocks with colorful performances on Pakistani hits. Legends were honored who left an imprint on the audience’s hearts. Mathira looked great in two song performances and Ahmed Butt’s cracking rap was a show stellar,

““Saari actresses’ pyaari lag rahi hain, andar se ek doosre se jal rahi hain.”

And for those who were not nominated, he amiably asked the audience to observe a moment of silence for them.

SILENCE…………………………………………..