The stage was set for yet another bombastic season of the PEL 5th Hum Awards when Yasir Hussain stole the show and for all the wrong reasons. The much awaited PEL 5th Hum Awards were unfortunately hit by controversy courtesy the rookie actor Yasir, (one of the hosts of the evening) who made an extremely callous and crude remark probably thinking it was funny. While the topic based hit drama Udaari had mesmerised all with its treatment of a taboo subject like child molestation, and had bagged awards for the same, Yasir Hussain trivialised all the efforts by his offensive remark,  “Itna khoobsurat child molester, kaash mein bhi bacha hota” (what a beautiful child molester, I wish I too was a child!!!). This was uttered as Ahsan Khan accepted the award for Best Actor in A Negative Role for his performance as the villainous child molester in Udaari. This resulted in massive hue and cry especially on the social media and rightly so for the industry is no place for such goofiness, or cheap theatrics in the name of entertainment.

Although he later apologied for his callous remark, claiming it was slip of the tongue, but one has to be in complete command when taking on a respectable and credible platform as Hum Awards representing one of our television tycoons HUM Network. But let’s not Yasir’s “slip of the tongue” mar the awards ceremony which sure is mention-worthy. 

The awards ceremony was again a star studded entertaining affair held in Lahore this time around. Celebrities had turned out in huge numbers from all over Pakistan to participate in this one of a kind awards ceremony. The venue was dotted with the who’s who of showbiz and fashion industry with the right smattering of corporate sector making it a complete package for television.

The evening kicked off with a high volt performance by the international dance troupe BNF from UAE followed by Best Music Single Popular awarded to Qurat-ul-Ain Baloch for Saiyaan whilst Best Music Video Popular went to Suhaib Akhtar. Best OST went to Man Mayal.

This segued into an ode to late Junaid Jamshed by his sons and Salman Ahmed on “Junoon Se”. Best Actor (Male and Female) Award – Soap was received by Hammad Faruqi and Sanam Chaudhry respectively. Best Soap was won by Haya ke Daman Main by MD Productions.

Highlights of the evening were the entertaining performances by Shahroze Sabzwari, Sehrish Khan, Mehwish Hayat, Reema Khan, Ahsan Khan, Kubra Khan, Ali Sethi, Momina Mustehsan and Asim Azhar who entertained the audience with their  vocal expertise and dance performances.

Best New Sensation Award was bagged by Kubra Khan while the Best Child star Award by Arisha a.k.a Zebo for her role in Udaari. The Best Telefilm award went to Chaman Ara.

Life Time Achievement Award went to Farida Khanum. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­Paras Masroor and Sania Saeed for Sang-e-Mar mar bagged their HUM Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male and Female respectively whereas it was a triumph for Ahsan Khan who bagged Best Actor in a Negative Role for Udaari. Most Impactful Character award went to Bushra Ansari for Udaari and Nouman Ejaz for Sang-e-Mar mar and Mustafa Afridi picked the trophy for the Best Writer Drama Serial for his work in Sang-e-Mar mar. Best Director Drama Serial was presented to Muhammmad Ehtisham Uddin for Udaari.

The Best On-screen Couple – Popular was won by Maya Ali and Hamza Ali Abbasi whilst the Best Drama Serial – Popular award was bagged by Udaari. The Best Female and Male Actor – Popular category had a mix of actors who have perfected their own style.

The night belonged to Sajjal Aly winning Best Actor (Female) Jury Award, while Farhan Saeed and Urwa Hocane bagged the Best On-Screen Couple Jury award.  Udaari bagged the Best Drama Serial Jury Award as for Best Actor Jury Award, it went to Ahsan Khan.