The Masala Awards are held each year by Masala! Magazine, bringing together the notable people from the business of media, entertainment and lifestyle in UAE. One major achievement of Masala Awards is how it also provides a platform for Indian and Pakistani media personalities to intermingle and have a good time.
Last year, for its tenth celebration, Masala had invited the late Sri Devi Kapoor, Pakistani actresses Mahira Khan, Meera, Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar and had performances by Govinda as well as hosting by Boman Irani. Arjun Rampal, Iulia Vantur and Celina Jaitley were also in attendance.
This time around Ali Rehman Khan, Ayesha Omar, Osman Khalid Butt, Amna Ilyas, Sheheryar Munawar and Frieha Altaf arrived in Dubai in high spirits. Masala also organized an exclusive showcase of Faraz Manan’s collection with none other than Kareena Kapoor Khan as showstopper. Bebo, as she is often known by her fans, stunned in a soft peach pink gown as the audience gazed in collective bated breath. Bebo is known to be Manan’s friend, and she expressed in her speech that she and Manan had been talking about showcasing this collection for a while. Thanks to the Masala function, they finally found the right time to showcase it to the industry and viewers.
Sheheryar Munawar was awarded the trophy for the Most Versatile Actor, while Aaminah Sheikh won Best Actress. Aaminah thanked Masala! remotely since she was in New York for an Oscars meet up for her film ‘Cake’.
Ayesha Omar wore a beautiful midnight blue Michael Cinco gown, which she carried with great style, and was rightly awarded the Most Stylish Actress Award. Makeup artist Nabila was present with her makeup brand Zero, as official hair and makeup partner of the show. Bollywood’s recent heartthrob Kartik Aryan was awarded best actor for Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, and was later seen mingling with Sheheryar Munawar and Ayesha Omar backstage, as the stars posed for pictures together with their trophies.
Osman Khalid Butt and Amna Ilyas were awarded as Agents of Social Change, as both of them have been very vocal recently about issues that matter. Osman Khalid Butt was one of the few male celebrities to come out in support of the victims speaking up about sexual harassment allegations. In his speech, Osman thanked the women who spoke up and the male allies that supported these women. Amna Ilyas dedicated her award to the women back in Pakistan,who she encouraged to pursue their passion.
