And the award goes to...

The best that the Pakistani entertainment industry had to offer this year.

KARACHI:

2014 was a marquee year for the Pakistani entertainment industry. Not only did we see Pakistani filmmakers venture into newer territories with Tamanna, Operation 021 and Dukhtar but the commercial success of movies like Na Maloom Afraad reaffirmed the fact that Pakistani cinema was headed in the right direction. The year was equally impressive on the Pakistani music as well as it marked the emergence of several promising musicians such as Jimmy Khan & The Big Ears, Asrar and Naseer & Shahab.

One of the most consistent things about Pakistani music for the past six years also saw an overhaul of sorts with the seventh season of Coke Studio marking a change of guard with Strings assuming the mantle of producer, which had been vacated by the creator of the show Rohail Hyatt. Meanwhile an assortment of looks dominated the red carpets of 2014. Be it bold statement lips, high-waisted culottes, cut-out silhouettes, the come-back of quintessential waistcoats or the fitted flare of hip-hugging lehengas, we definitely perused through them all. The styles that shaped fashionistas’ wardrobes this particular year were heavily based on elaborate embroidery in Eastern wear and fitted bodycon patterns with Western ensembles.Voting for the best in film, fashion and music began earlier this month and closed at 12pm on December 30, 2014. Here is the list of the winners you voted for and the one’s we think made a mark.



In terms of music, this year can be considered one of many hits and misses.Strings had an average excursion as producers of the popular music television show Coke Studio and were faced with the herculean mission of filling the shoes of Rohail Hyatt, whereas Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s album, Back2love received a very uncharacteristic mixed response.Musicians like Jimmy Khan & The Big Ears, Asrar, Naseer & Shahab and Usman Riaz were surely a breeze of fresh air in the music industry.

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What a year in trends it has been, Fabulistas! The red carpet in 2014 was more on fire than ever: We saw stars being more experimental and out of the box, while also pulling out all the stops in classic, closet-staple trends. Pakistan’s leading names were not afraid to illustrate their best game — be it provocative sheer prêt designs or intricately tailored lawn patterns.

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Despite the fact that there were only three major films released in 2014, the display of sheer diversity and guts showcased by filmmakers on celluloid signals a brighter future for Pakistani cinema in the coming years.

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Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st,  2014.

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