KARACHI: The 22nd Lux Style Awards (LSAs) ceremony, held at the Expo Centre on Friday evening, was an amalgamation of song and dance performances peppered with awards’ distribution to celebrate and highlight achievements in four major categories — music, fashion, television and films. But it was also so much more than that.

The spacious LSA red carpet became alive and buzzed with vibrant energy from the get-go as stars started to arrive dressed to the nines in fashionable designer wear gowns et al. The lounge area was equally abuzz with its own energy as guests networked and rubbed shoulders with the showbiz crowd and fashionistas amid the clinking of mocktails and cluttering of serving platters, with mini bars doling forth a varied and appetising selection of freshly made hors d’oeuvres. Finally, after what was beginning to seem like an endless wait, the gates to the entrance of the main show area were flung open and the awaiting guests trickled in and took their places.

A further bit of waiting and sporadic announcements for the guests to settle down in order for the show to begin later, the national anthem finally played out, fiving way to singers Faisal Kapadia (Strings), Young Stunners and Shae Gill who got rocking with their version of Hum Kyun Chalain as the opening LSA performance.

After an emotional and heart-touching tribute to those who have passed away from among the showbiz fraternity during the past year, film and television actress Saba Qamar and Fahad Mustafa took their place on stage as the hosts of the 22nd LSAs ceremony.

They also announced the music category and invited presenters to give away awards for the most stylish musician (critics’ choice) to singer Meesha Shafi; most streamed song of the year (viewers’ choice) to Pasoori performed by singers Ali Sethi and Shae Gill; music producer of the year (critics’ choice) went to Abdullah Siddiqui and Xulfi for Pasoori; song of the year (viewers’ choice) was won by Kahani Suno by Kaifi Khalil; and the singer of the year (viewers’ choice) LSA trophy was given away to Ali Sethi for Pasoori.

A performance by Ali Zafar with Mamia Jabbar marked the end of the music category, after which hosts TV actress Durrefishan Saleem and Ahmed Ali Butt took over from Saba Qamar and Fahad Mustafa to invite presenters and announce the emerging talent in fashion won by model Abeer Asad, followed by fashion model of the year male/female which went to Maha Tahirani, fashion photographer/videographer of the year (critics’ choice) was won by Aleena Naqvi, fashion hair & make-up artist of the year (critics’ choice) went to Sunil Nawab, the LSA trophy for fashion stylist of the year was won by Tabesh Khoja, and finally the fashion forward brand of the year was won by Hussain Rehar.

The tribute to celebrated film star Reema Khan by Saba Qamar saw the latter pirouetting to her popular numbers from films before Reema was presented with the Chairman Unilever Lifetime Achievement Award.

Later, in the TV category, the best emerging talent (critics’ choice) award went to Dananeer Mubeen, best ensemble play (critics’ choice) was presented to Sinf-i-Aahan, best TV play writer was won by Mustafa Afridi for Sang-i-Mah, received on his behalf by director Saife Hasan, best TV director (critics’ choice) went to Saife Hasan for Sang-i-Mah, best TV actor female (critics’ choice) won by Yumna Zaidi for Bakhtawar, and finally best TV actor male (critics’ choice) went to Bilal Abbas for Dobara.

Then it was time for Kaifi Khalil’s lively performance to his two hugely popular hits Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha and Kana Yaari before the Lux Change-makers Award being presented to actress-turned-director and animal rights activist Marina Khan.

Later, the best original soundtrack (viewers’ choice) was presented to Mere Humsafar, best TV long serial viewers’ choice was won by Betiyaan, best TV play (viewers’ choice) went to Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi, best TV actor female (viewers’ choice) was won by Yumna Zaidi for Bakhtawar, and finally best TV actor male (viewers’ choice) went to Arsalan Naseer for Paristaan.

After Farhan Saeed’s and Maya Ali’s performance to a medley, it was time for the LSA trophies to be given away in the film category, and the best film (critics’ choice) went to Kamli, best film director (critics’ choice) was won by Sarmad Khoosat for Kamli, film playback song of the year (critics’ choice) went to Peela Rung from Parde Mein Rehne Do, best film of the year (viewers’ choice) went to Quaid-i-Azam Zindabad, best film actor female (viewers’ choice) went to Saba Qamar for Kamli, and the LSA trophy for best film actor male (viewers’ choice) was given away to Feroze Khan for Tich Button.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2023