‘Mere Pass Tum Ho’ sweeps Pakistan International Screen Awards

DUBAI: Despite being mired in criticism and mismanagement, the inaugural Pakistan International Screen Awards (PISA) were attended by thousands of film and television industry fans at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on Friday night.

Pakistan’s most watched TV serial, “Mere Pass Tum Ho,” swept all the major awards – from best writer, director to actor and actress – in both viewers’ and critics’ choice categories.

For the first time, Pakistan’s YouTube stars and influencers were also recognized and given awards for their efforts.

Scriptwriter and host of the show, Wasay Chaudhry, told Arab News that such events were necessary to promote performing arts in Pakistan. “We all compete with each other through one media house or another,” he said. “So this platform is welcome.”

Javed Shaikh, a veteran film and TV actor, who also hosted a segment of the event, said it was more important to participate and support to the industry than win an award.

Earlier, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Hareem Farooq and Adnan Siddiqi, among others, walked the glamorous red carpet, showcasing the greatest talent from the Pakistan film and television industry.

PISA also honored legendary stars from film and TV with lifetime achievement awards at the occasion.

The iconic stars who received these awards included Ghulam Mohiuddin, Mustafa Qureshi, Sangeeta Begum and Attaullah Esakhelvi. A special award, Contribution to Pakistani Film Industry, was also given to actress Reema Khan.

The best designer award was presented to Hassan Shehyar Yasin (HSY) while the best model award was given to Sadaf Kanwal.

The best song of the year award, based on viewers’ choice, was given to Momina Mustehsan and Bilal Saeed.

Winners were selected over the last few months as millions of votes poured in on PISA website, www.pisa.com.pk.

The Critics’ Choice Awards were voted by a jury comprising experts from various industries, ranging from fashion to film critic to entrepreneurs and talent promoters. The curated panel of jury included: Omair Alavi, Frieha Altaf, Alina Talha, Javed Sheikh, Maria Faisal, Sehar Shaikh, Senator Faisal Javed Khan and Suhail Abdul Latif Ibrahim Galadari.

List of winners:

TV/Film

Best Actress Ayeza Khan for Mere Pass Tum Ho (MPTH) (Viewers’ Choice)

Best Actor Humayun Saeed for MPTH (Viewers’ Choice)

Best TV Play MPTH (Viewers’ Choice)

Best Writer TV Khalilur Rehman for MPTH

Best Director Nadeem Baig for MPTH (Viewers’ Choice)

Best Original Sound Track for TV MPTH (Viewers’ Choice)

Best Actor in Comic Role (Male) Samad Khan for Ehde Wafa

Best Actor in Comic Role (Female) Nadia Afgan for Suno Chanda

Best Actress in leading role for film Mahira Khan for Superstar (Critics’ Choice)

Best Actor in leading role for film Shehryar Munawar for Parey Hut Love

Best Film Superstar (Critics’ Choice)

Best Actor Male TV Adnan Siddiqui for MPTH (Critics’ Choice)

Best Actor Female Sana Javed for Ruswaiyi (Critics’ Choice)

Social media/Influencers

Best Vlogger Zaid Ali

Best Instagram Influencer Hira Attique

YouTuber Wajahat Rao

YouTuber P4Pakao

YouTuber Ducky Bhai