Laaj sweeps Bolan Academy film awards

LAHORE: The film Laaj was declared the best Urdu film and Allah Nighahban the best Punjabi film at the Bolan Academy Awards ceremony at Alhamra on Monday night.

Rauf Khalid was declared the best writer, director and producer for his film Laaj. Zara Sheikh was named best actress for Laaj and Shan best actor, also for Laaj. Talat Hussain was given special award for acting in Laaj. The best character award went to Rashid Mahmood for, again, Laaj. Amjad Bobbi was declared the best music director for Laaj. The award for best playback singer was given to Adel Burki while Tarannum Naz was announced best female singer. Hamid Ali Khan was honoured with the best classical singer award while Zarqa got the prize for gazal singing.

In the Punjabi films category, Tafoo was declared the best music director for the film Kala Gujjar. Amanullah was declared the best stage artist and Megha the best actress.

Reema was given the title of ‘Beauty queen of the year’. Shahida Minni was declared the most charming lady of the year. Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Hussain gave away the prizes to the winners.

In his address, Mr Hussain thanked Bolan Academy officials for inviting him to the function. He congratulated the organisers for arranging a disciplined function.

“We have to adopt similar discipline in politics and routine life. Pakistan has talent not only in film and television but also in other professions,” he said. —Anjum Gill