The Lux Style Awards announced their 2018 nominations across Pakistani entertainment. The annual event is a high profile, star-studded event, what with mogul brand ‘Lux’ behind the ceremony. The creme de la creme of the Pakistani industry attend as awards for film and television are given out. It’s considered a very credible, and prestigious event – and while we agree with most of the nominees, there are a few blaring hiccups that must be addressed. (I’m honestly really, really upset).
Let’s dive into the television category first with Best Television Play
‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’
‘Muqabil’
‘O Rungreza’
‘Sammi’
‘Sang-e-mar Mar’
While all dramas are spectacular (minus ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’ which fell flat in story after the first few episodes), where on earth is ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ which was a tremendous bundle of social issues entwined into an incredibly accurate portrayal of characters with a messy past. Along with this snub, if ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’ has been nominated, then surely dramas like ‘Baaghi’ and the long-running ‘Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai’ should suffice? Also, despite being relatively new, ‘Shayad’ deserves to be considered because honestly, in terms of substance and unique plot, it’s one of the very few contemporary dramas worth watching.
Best Television Actor
Adnan Siddiqui for ‘Sammi’
Ahad Raza Mir for ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’
Imran Abbas for ‘Khuda Aur Mohabbat 2’
Mohin Abbas for ‘Muqabil’
Noman Ijaz for ‘Pinjari’
Alright, this is now absolutely ridiculous. First of all, where on earth is Imran Ashraf for his Oscar-worthy performance as Shammo in ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan?’ Or how about Ali Kazmi for ‘Baaghi?’ And what about BILAL ABBAS KHAN FOR ‘O Rungreza’ WHO IS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL? And Paras Masroor for ‘Sang-e-mar-Mar?’ Even Sami Khan for ‘Rasm-e-Duniya’ among others. Really really disappointing tbh. Even Zahid Ahmed for ‘Daldal’ was forgotten. (Uzair Jaswal too deserves a mention for “Shayyad’).
Best Television Actress
(Another series of snubs, prepare yourself)
Bushra Ansari for ‘Seeta Bagri’
Kubra Khan for ‘Muqabil’
Saba Qamar for ‘Baaghi’
Sajal Aly for ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’
Sajal Aly for ‘O Rungreza’
Alright, let’s begin with Yumna Zaidi’s snub for both ‘Yeh Raha Dil’ and ‘Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila.’ Moving on to Mawra Hocane for ‘Sammi, Irsa Ghazal for ‘O Rungreza,’ Sana Nawaz for ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan,’ Samina Peerzada for ‘Rasm-e-Duniya,’ Armeena Khan for ‘Daldal,’ Ayeza Khan for ‘Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai’ and Suhaee Abro for ‘Yakeen Ka Safar.’ Oh, and the most shocking snub of all? SANIA SAEED FOR ‘SANG-E-MAR MAR.’
Best Television Writer
Mustafa Afridi for ‘Sang-e-mar Mar’
Noor ul Huda Shah for ‘Sammi’
Qaisara Hayat for ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’
Saji Gul for ‘O Rungreza’
Zafar Mairaj for ‘Muqabil’
Kashif Nisar for ‘Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila,’ Shazia Khan for ‘Baaghi’ and Farhat Ishtiaq for ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ was among many writers conveniently left out. Well done LSA, well done.
Best Original Soundtrack (OST)
Adnan Dhool and Sana Zulfiqar for ‘Bay Khudi’
Ali Azmat for ‘Rasm-e-Duniya’
Jimmy Khan for ‘Tumharey Hain’
Nabeel Shaukat for ‘Woh Ek Pal’
Richi Robinson for ‘Shayad’
This is an insult to be very, very frank. ‘O Rungreza,’ ‘Yakeen Ka Safar,’ and ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’s’ brilliant soundtracks have been left in disarray. This category feels very ‘last minute.’
Now onto the film category (prepare for a good ol’ laugh)
Best Film
‘Balu Mahi’ ‘
Chupan Chupai’
‘Na Maloom Afraad 2’
‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’
‘Verna’
Well, it’s very clear the board really had no clue which film to include, seeing as very few came out and most all were critically panned (‘Verna’ especially).
Best Actor
Ahsan Khan for ‘Chupan Chupai’
Fahad Mustafa for ‘Na Maloom Afraad 2’
Humayun Saeed for ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’
Mohsin Abbas Haider for ‘Na Maloom Afraad 2’
Osman Khalid Butt for ‘Balu Mahi’
Alright even though ‘Arth 2’ was an absolute disaster, Shaan deserves a mention as does Gohar Rasheed for ‘Rangreza.’
Best Actress
Ainy Jaffri for ‘Balu Mahi’
Mahira Khan for ‘Verna’
Mehwish Hayat for ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’
Uzma Hasan for ‘Arth 2’
Neelam Muneer for ‘Chupan Chupai’
Well, the women were much stronger contenders than their male counterparts, however, Urwa deserves a mention for ‘Rangreza.’
See the rest of the nominations here.
It’s a shame; with such impeccable talent and Oscar-worthy acting in both film and television (leaning more heavily on the latter), for an Award body that propels itself incredibly high with a ‘reputable’ backing, it’s sad and demoralizing to just rummage together a bunch of nominations without really thinking them through.
What are your thoughts on the nominations?