The last of the megas
Raza kharal attends the National Film Awards 2000 and says that as NAFDEC draws its curtains after twenty-four years, many stars present there were all praises for the boost it gave to Lollywood during the period
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No one would be more happy than Agha Shazad Gul and the entire team of Terey Pyar Mein (TPM) for bagging the largest number of awards at the National Film Awards 2000 recently held at famous Noor Jehan Hall.
So far the movie has bagged about 53 awards, which is a record in itself. Glitterati excluding Saima had gathered to whine over the proposed demise of NAFDEC, which will finally draw its curtains in July this year. As for Saima she has set a record of her own by abstaining her presence from all award ceremonies. The death of NAFDEC was the talk of the event perhaps more than the awards themselves. Filmstar Muhammad Ali, expressed his grief over the decision saying it would serve no good to the fragile filmdom. While appreciating the role of NAFDEC for the past 26 years, he said that something should to be done if we want the betterment of our film industry.
Coming back to the actual event, the award ceremony was on the whole better than the ceremonies held recently. Apart from the dismay of the audience over some awards including the best actress every thing was attractive. Much before the event the rumour was spread in tinsel town that the lobby of TPM was much stronger than any other. The set was beautifully designed. The artistes had created an ambience of pyramids plus the light and sound effects were up to the mark. The combination of blue, yellow and purple was in itself something to look at.
The ceremony began with the performance of Jawad Ahmad. He presented his famous mystic song entitled Yari Blauchan Nal Lai. The performance was followed by giving away of the awards. Z.A Zulfi was the first to get the best editor award for TPM. The announcement was made by the comparing duo Ayesha Sana and Farooq Hasan. The award was followed by a befitting performance by filmstar Meera. These days the glamgirl is on cloud nine for the super hit flick Khoay Ho Tum Kahan (KHTK). Her performance on Asima lata's song was worth the star and was followed by awards for the best sound recordist that went to Sayed Afzal Hussain and m. Saeed for TPM. Raja Riaz was given the best story award for TPM. He was one of the few lucky persons to bag the award twice at the same ceremony. The second award was for the best supporting actor for TPM.
Mujhe Chand Chahiye (MCC) was rated the second best movie so far. While TPM had bagged 11 awards in different categories, the MCC clinched six. The ace film director Syed Noor was third in the race with his flick Mehandi Walay Hath (MWH) and perhaps went as a disappointment for Shahgee because the same movie had been given a half dozen awards in the Pakistan Film Awards.
Some people have also criticised the award given by Resham to a film personality saying she was not worth the status as yet.
There were some impressive performances by the Lollywood damsels Meera, Iram Tahir, Zain, Waris Baig, Shahida Minni, Abrar Ul Haq, Jawad Ahmad for adding to the beauty of evening by their splendid performances Remma's captivating dance was in fact the highlight of the colourful evening. She has the potential and aesthetic sense to turn a presentation into a marvelous piece of art. The gal had turned the whole hall into a silent specter by her stunning performance, which was in fact a fusion of classical and commercial dance on one of the famous songs of Madam Noor Jehan. Zain and Shahida Minni also offered some variety, which was also appreciated. The dances by star and other groups had added to the charm of the performances.
On seeing her heart throbbing performance one wondered why she was being pushed out of the industry at such a ripe time when she could deliver to the industry.
Every thing went smoothly except the frequent fumbles in the comparing. It is a matter of no less concern that such an important programme was sacrificed to the inexperience of the co-compeers. How hard Ayesha Sana tried to compensate the mess created by her fellow compare, people could point out faulty delivery and pronunciation.
The slippery stage raised much laughter from the audience.
Due to sprinkle of rose petals during the performance of Madeeha Shah, it was really difficult to walk on the stage. The frequent slipovers by the dancers were a result of the shiny bad surface of the stage.
Rauf Khalid of COSMOS, deserves applaud for the beautiful star-studded evening. AVTEK also is worthy of congratulations. Federal Minister for communications. Javed Ashraf, Federal Secretary for Culture, Samin Jan Babar, Gen (retd) Anayat Niazi, Chairman NAFDEC, Tamour Azmat, the provincial Secretary Culture, Filmstar Muhammad Ali, Zeba, Ghulam Muhayuddin, Nello Riaz Shahid, Farida Khanum were among the many luminaries who attended the event.
