Last weekend, Sheraton Dubai was lit with the who's who of Pakistani showbiz, who flew in to attend the second edition of the Pakistan International Screen Awards (PISA) in the UAE. Popular as a second home to many Pakistanis and Indians, Dubai served as an apt location for the latest installment of the award show – an event that is mostly remembered by the controversies that engulf it every year.
But what’s an award function without its fair share of disputes? And so, this year was no different. From fittings to ironing and styling to commute, PISA oragnisers bickered over intricate details until the eleventh hour. However, despite the hullabaloo, it all seemed to have worked out for them in the end.
"The makeup artists and stylists are en route," one of the organiser’s was overheard saying, minutes before the red carpet rolled out at the extravagant locale of Madinat Jumeirah. There were – as always – a few moments to remember from the star-studded night and others that just didn’t make the cut.
Contrary to last year's edition, PISA 2021 started and concluded on time, with celebrities strutting their way to the venue as early as 7pm. The commotion on the red carpet, however, was a whole other fiasco. Since PISA was a ticketed event, a handful of spectators had access to the lounge where they could greet the stars.
"I'm terribly sorry, could you please just give me a minute, I'll be right with you," a flustered yet smiling Asim Azhar looked at me apologetically as he posed with awaiting fans. The already congested red carpet later became quite overcrowded.
As the stars, the press and organisers headed to dinner, fans followed in large numbers. "I am totally cool with taking pictures with fans. We are what we are because of them. But I'd really like to eat in peace," chuckled an actor seated at our table. "See how my head is hung low? This is how I eat my meals now," he said to a fan who asked for a selfie. The actor graciously accepted the request. "See," he smiled. "It’s all part of a day's job."
Once the event was well and truly underway, it seemed that despite a few hiccups, the show was off to a promising start.
THE HIGHS
Crisp script
Yasir Hussain and Vasay Chaudhry have always been a treat to watch as an onstage pair. The actors did justice to their hosting duties with apt comedic timing and great chemistry. With rib-tickling jibes and a joyful script, PISA had already ticked a box in their favour on my list. Be it interacting with fellow actors in a very Filmfare-isque manner or an impromptu improvisation of the script, there was no better choice insight than Hussain and Chaudhry. This year's PISA script layout was a welcomed change compared to the previous yawn-worthy narrative.
Settling feuds
The Pakistani entertainment industry has time and again claimed to be 'one big happy family’. However, just as every other household, its members have often been engaged in big and small quarrels. Be it the infamous Hussain and Nausheen Shah invitation 'squabble' or more recently, Ali Azmat and Ahmed Ali Butt's dispute over the former's degrading statement regarding Butt's grandmother, Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan.
The two found themselves in a closeted space as they arrived for PISA 2021. "Oh, we already made up!" the Punjab Nahi Jaungi star laughed as I sat down for a conversation with them prior to the starting of the show. "He came over to me last night, we hugged it out. All well." I had figured that's the last we'll hear of it. However, what many didn't know was how Butt was the chosen one to honour Azmat with the accolade of Rockstar of the Decade. The actor welcomed the Junoon vocalist with a heartfelt introduction, echoed by deafening applause.
A notable squabble that was squashed onstage was when actor Faryal Mehmood announced Sonya Hussyn's first-ever win for an award show. Mehmood and Hussyn, who have previously raised eyebrows with petty statements, made up onstage after the former consoled an emotional Saraab star after she bagged her first-ever award.
Memorable performances
The show started with a power-packed performance by Sheheryar Munawar and Mehwish Hayat. The Chhalawa star set the stage on fire with her dance number Chhirya as Munawar followed with his famous party track, Haaye Dil and the wedding song, Shakar Wandaan. The duo then presented a well-choreographed performance on Load Wedding's Munday Lahore De.
The Raqeeb Se star then took to the stage for a soulful skit on Magenta Cyan followed by Amar Khan's desi number. The two then gracefully executed a duet on a mashup. I was particularly wowed by Mehmood, whose elegant onstage performance left many in awe of her dancing prowess. Umair Jaswal's energetic number, too, left the audience in a high.
Sajjad Ali's epic finale!
If I am completely honest, I don't recall the last time I saw Sajjad Ali onstage. When we caught up a day before the awards, I asked the popular star whether he was nervous about his performance. "Absolutely pumped!" he laughed. I was told he will be performing a medley and when I asked Ali about the songs, he responded, "There are two new songs and two of my old tracks."
Secretly hoping one of them is Cinderella, I inquired if he's indeed performing on the famous number. He told me I should wait for it. And truly, the patience yielded fruitful results! Ali's finale got the crowd on its feet and everyone – the press, celebs, organisers and the audience – couldn't help but shake a leg to Mahiwal. This turned out to be the highlight of the show. A video of Ushna Shah, Mehwish Hayat, Sana Javed, Feroze Khan and Jaswal went viral on social media soon after.
THE LOWS
Atrocious lip-syncs
Before the Tum Naraz Ho crooner blew our minds with his memorable act, the audience geared up for a much-awaited Ali Azmat performance. Known for his brilliant onstage presence, I was expecting nothing short of genius as the Coke Studio singer took centre stage. We knew it was going to be recorded performance, but what I didn't really anticipate was how a rock star such as Azmat could be so terrible at lip-syncing.
The out-of-tone and rather lazy performance as opposed to his usual electrifying ones, left many disappointed.
Poor SOPs
Even though PISA had left little room for complaints on the actual award night, one can't ignore the lack of adherence to the SOPs for Covid-19. Almost no one wore masks and there was hardly any social distancing. The fans kept piling on at the red carpet and later in the arena which prompted many to leave the venue as soon as the awards wrapped up. While in-person events commencing is a welcomed move, the organisers should have pressed more on the following of SOPs.
In a nutshell, you have to give it to the organisers; this year's installment of PISA was considerably better than last year but the core criticism remains the same. PISA was once again called out by several artists for leaving behind a chunk of their nominations for varied reasons. The management later released a statement, rebutting the artists' claims and blaming the airline for cancelled flights. The stature of the award show, particularly PISA, seemed to be too big for the PRs to handle and nothing seemed to have worked in their favour in this regard. Will PISA 2022 break the spell and come out victorious in the name of a better edition? Only time will tell.
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