2013-14: The Express Tribune awards

2013 epitomised the high standards our entertainment and fashion industries have reached.

We recognise, reward and celebrate the top talent of 2013. This year epitomised the high standards our entertainment and fashion industries have reached, and we would like to applaud the winners for raising the bar so high for 2014.

Film: 

Best Actor: Shaan- Waar

Shaan’s calm, cool yet aggressive portrayal of Mujhtaba stood out due to his undeniable talent and experience. 

Best Actress: Aaminah Sheikh – Lamha



Sheikh’s dedication to her art is apparent in every frame of Lamha (Seedlings). Lamha’s powerful script, along with Sheikh’s psychologically complex character in the movie made her stand out.   

Best Supporting Actor: Gauhar Rasheed – Lamha



Rasheed’s portrayal of rickshaw driver/murderer in Lamha was simply superb. His performance was so impeccable that he made even the silent frames captivating. 

Best Supporting Actress: Nayla Jafri – Josh

The ever graceful Nayla Jafri was the real hook in Josh. Her on-screen presence as the character of Nusrat Bi was so powerful that she made her seasoned co-stars look like novices.  

Best Movie: Zinda Bhaag



Zinda Bhaag was the epitome of how an engaging Pakistani social drama should be treated and brought to the big screen. 

Best OST: Zinda Bhaag

In terms of making music for films, Sahir Ali Bhagga was the undisputed winner this year for his immaculate treatment of Punjabi poetry on Zinda Bhaag’s soundtrack. 

Best Director: Meenu and Farjaad – Zinda Bhaag

Zinda Bhaag is the ideal example of a well-edited film, and kudos to Meenu and Farjad for choosing non-actors for the roles and making them look like professionals. 

Breakout star: Hamza Ali Abbasi

Abbasi was one of those rare actors who managed to successfully transition from the small to the big screen this year. Main Hoon Shahid Afridi and Waar marked the beginning of a new journey for him; one that will be cherished by audiences and directors alike.

Theatre:



Best Actor: Yasir Hussain – Angan Terha

Yasir Hussain is a method actor who took the theatre industry by storm with his incredible resurrection of Salin Nasir’s Akbar in the stage production of Aangan Terha. 

Best Director: Sunil Shankar – Court Martial



Shankar first caught the eye of theatre enthusiasts with his Urdu adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s Eqqus in 2012 and with Court Martial he generated a high-octane drama from very basic script, proving that he has all the makings of a theatre heavyweight. 

Breakout star: Ali Junejo – Man on the black horse / Waiting for Godot

Ali Junejo, a primarily English-language actor, was the most promising theatre star this year. His resilience in difficult plays like Man on the Black Horse and Waiting for Godot put him in the limelight. 

Original Script: Stumped! Imran Yusuf

Yusuf’s take on the sentimentality surrounding cricket and politics in Pakistan stood out from the rest. It’s been a while since we’ve had an original play with a plot that has been tailor-made to suit the dynamics of the stage.

Fashion:

Most Innovative Collection of the Year – Ali Xeeshan

Ali Xeeshan took the fashion world by storm with his larger than life showcases at both PFDC Bridal Week and Pantene Bridal Couture Week. With his Jageer collection and the Royal Bridal collection, Ali set the ramp ablaze with outstanding innovation and proved his showman skills. 

Best Bridal Designer of the Year – SanaSafinaz

The dynamic designers Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer were undeniably the reigning couture duo of this year. With a revamped bridal collection, including embellished capes, saris and jumpsuits, Sana Safinaz dazzled and remained a bride-favourite. 

Biggest Breakout Model – Amna Ilyas

Dusky beauty Amna Ilyas set the bar high for her contemporaries this year. Being the face of major campaigns, like the Sana Safinaz pure silk collection, and featuring in both an Oscar-short-listed film Zinda Bhaag and Farhan Saeed’s tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Amna truly stole the limelight. 



Best Photographer – Nadir Firoz Khan

Nadir’s creativity and vision in his chosen field is unmatched. The year 2013 can be called a scrapbook of his most innovative work till date. Looking at Nida Azwer’s standout lawn campaign and Bonanza’s spectacular Satrangi TVC, it seems Nadir is his only competitor in this category. 

Best Stylist – Maha Burney

Nadir’s better-half, Maha Burney, exhibited sheer creativity with her impeccable work and really highlighted the importance and relevance of styling for campaigns. 

Best Female Face of a Campaign – Humaima Malick for Nida Azwer Lawn

A popular face on the billboards during the early lawn season this year, this brand ambassador for Nida Azwer’s lawn exuded exceptional radiance and beauty in a classic contemporary shoot and stood out amongst all other campaigns. 

Best Male Face of a Campaign: Adeel Hussain - The Lawrencepur Man

Actor-director Adeel Hussain is a man for all seasons indeed. Having earned his spurs in the television industry, he is now the new face of menswear brand Lawrencepur. He epitomises the dynamism that the brand stands for to a T. 

Male Model of the Year: Shahzad Noor

Having walked the runway of leading fashion brands, such as Giordano and Republic, Shahzad Noor is in it to win it! His dusky good looks and chiselled physique can give any veteran a run for their money. 

Female Model of the Year: Ayyan

Rumour has it that Ayyan was the most searched fashion celebrity on Google Pakistan this year, but what have won us over are her stunning good looks and sheer dedication towards her profession. She is gorgeous. She is talented. She is unstoppable. 

Male showstopper of the year: Hassan Sheheryar Yasin

Couture king Hassan Sheheryar Yasin was the showstopper of menswear label Exist at the PFDC L’Oréal Bridal Week 2013. He has always walked the walk, but what we loved was seeing him showcase his oomph on the runway for once. 

Female Showstopper of the Year – Reema Khan

At this year’s L’oreal Paris PFDC Bridal Week, Reema left the audience speechless as she maintained her composure after her fall on the ramp, and walked fearlessly with her shoes in her hand. For that inspiring spirit, Reema is hands down our showstopper of the year. 



Biggest breakout fashion star: Natasha Salon

With more than 290,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook, Natasha Salon has gone from strength for strength this year. With a massive fan base and happy customers, the salon is the indisputable breakout fashion star of 2013. 

Prêt wear designer of the year: Sania Maskatiya

Designer Sania Maskatiya is a force to be reckoned with. Her standout prêt collection was the Hanza Autumn Collection, showcased at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) 2013 fashion show. Her aesthetic sense is a total knockout!

Music:

Best Breakout Star (Male): Asad Abbas



Asad Abbas’ breakthrough came with the release of his first commercial song in collaboration with Fariha Pervez for Coke Studio. This is one upcoming artiste we think has the potential to make us proud, both at home and across the border. 

Best Breakout Star (Female): Saleema Jawad

Saleema Jawwad grabbed public attention with Paar channah de, featuring veteran singer Arif Lohar. The star has a unique and raw quality to her voice, and the song she sang for Zinda Bhaag’s soundtrack complements the movie admirably.

Music Show: Nescafe Basement Season 2



A platform for upcoming amateur Pakistani musicians, Nescafe Basement Season 2 was a show which praised unsung talent in the mainstream media. According to public opinion, Season 2 of Nescafe Basement outshone Coke Studio this year due to the raw and unpretentious effort made by its vocalists, musicians and producer.

Honourable Mentions:

Most ingenious lyrics: Taher Shah – Eye to Eye

“Without you I am butterfly …. without flying.” Enough said. 

Highest entertainment value of the year: Veena Malik

We don’t know whether to be baffled or impressed, but Veena Malik managed to make this year thoroughly entertaining for us in every possible way, especially by capping off the year with her surprise nuptials. 

Biggest foot in the mouth moment of the year: Meera

Meera: “Just as Iqbal had a vision for Pakistan in the form of our national anthem, I, too, will be successful.” December 19, 2013.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2013.

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