26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards: A celebration of stars and stories

Award shows in the early to mid-2000s were always a fun time in many Bangladeshi households. Families would gather around the television to watch celebrity actors and actresses take the stage, cheering them on to win the top awards. 

Among the country's most beloved award shows, the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards still hold a special place, and its 26th edition was one to remember.
 
On 23 May, the Bangabandhu International Conference Center transformed into a glittering celebration of stardom. Bangladeshi celebrities brought all the glamour and suave to the red carpet from Bidya Sinha Saha Mim to Nusrat Imrose Tisha, the stars dazzled in their finest. 

The men made sure not to be left behind either, with head-turning appearances by Pritom Hasan, Yash Rohan, Tawsif Mahbub and the ever-charismatic Shakib Khan.
 
The evening was hosted by the duo Afran Nisho and Tasnia Farin. While their banter was over-the-top at times, their energy kept things lively, and the celebrity performances more than made up for any missed punchlines. 

The main ceremony opened with a graceful classical dance performed by Mondera Chakroborty, Ridy Sheikh and Tama Mirza, a well-paced and elegant start to the evening. 

Later, Tawsif Mahbub, Dighi, Mumtahina Toya and Irfan Sajjad joined a romantic group number, blending in viral TikTok songs and dialogue snippets for a fun, upbeat segment.
 
One of the standout acts came from Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, looking radiant in red, as she lit up the stage with actor Farrukh Ahmed Rehan for a performance on 'Dushtu Kokil'. Singer Kona joined them at the end, giving the act a lovely finishing touch.
 
Of course, it wouldn't be a Meril-Prothom Alo show without a power-packed performance from Shakib Khan, who delivered a crowd-pleasing set with his trademark flair, with Pritom singing the popular beat 'Laage Ura Dhura' and the hosts joining them.
 
The evening also paid tribute to veteran actor Abul Hayat, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Actress Dilara Zaman presented the honour, while Anjan Chowdhury, managing director of Square Toiletries Ltd, wrapped him in a beautifully embroidered shawl. 

Hayat dedicated the award to his wife, Shirin Hayat, and thanked his family and colleagues for their support over the years.
 
One of the night's most charming, unscripted moments came when Afzal Hossain brought Hayat's wife onto the stage mid-speech. Looking both amused and confused, Hayat said, "I don't know why Afzal is bringing my wife to the stage now," sparking laughter and adding to the warmth of the night. 

There were other spontaneous moments too. When the hosts introduced a rule that winners only had 30 seconds to speak, actress Tisha, upon receiving her award, joked, "You guys are talking too much, maybe you should give that time to the winners instead."
 
It was these small, candid exchanges, the jokes, the gratitude, and the reminders to keep doing meaningful work that made the ceremony feel less like a show and more like a celebration. A little glitz, a little humour, and a lot of heart and hard work.
 
The 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards had its fair share of shining moments, but it was the winners who truly stole the spotlight. This year's honours reflected a rich mix of web content, short fiction, film, television, and music, showcasing the full spectrum of talent currently shaping the Bangladeshi entertainment industry.
 
In the web series category, 'Rongila Kitab' took home the Critics' Choice for Best Web Series, while Salzar Rahman was recognised as Best Screenwriter for 'Kaalpurush'. 

Nuhash Humayun, continuing to cement his place in the digital space, won Best Director for 'Dui Shaw'. The acting nods in this segment went to Mosharraf Karim, who was awarded Best Actor for 'Adhunik Bangla Hotel', and Zinnat Ara, who received Best Actress for 'Sinpaat'.
 
In the limited-length fiction category, Jahid Preetom bagged Best Director for 'Buk Pocket-er Golpo', and Subrata Sanjib took home Best Screenplay for 'Rod Brishtir Golpo'.
 
During his speech, Sanjib called on directors to give more opportunities to writers from small towns, "There are brilliant stories waiting to be told," he said. 
 
Tasnia Farin won Best Actress for 'Poroshpor', while Khairul Basar was honoured as Best Actor for his work in 'Rod Brishtir Golpo'.
 
The night, however, truly belonged to 'Priyo Maloti', which swept away with three major awards. It was named Best Feature Film, with director Shangkha Dasgupta also winning Best Director in the film category. Mehazabien Chowdhury's lead performance in the same film earned her the Best Actress title. Best Actor in the film category went to Mamnun Hasan Emon for his role in 'Maya'.
 
A heartfelt moment came in the form of a special documentary, Megastar Shakib Khan, celebrating 25 years of the actor's career. With iconic clips, classic songs and unforgettable dialogues, the film took the audience on a nostalgic journey. To mark the occasion, Shakib Khan received a special honour in recognition of his immense contributions to Bangladeshi cinema.
 
In television, Tawsif Mahbub and Tanjim Saiyara Totini were named Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, for their performances in 'Love Sub', a drama that resonated widely with audiences.
 
The music category celebrated the film 'Toofan', with Pritom Hasan winning Best Male Playback Singer for the high-energy track 'Laage Ura Dhura', and Dilshad Nahar Kona winning Best Female Playback Singer for the melodious 'Dushtu Kokil'.
 
Finally, one of the most promising new faces of the year, Farrukh Ahmed Rehan, was recognised with the Best Newcomer award for his role in 'Jugal', a performance that certainly marks the beginning of a promising journey ahead.

This year's Meril-Prothom Alo Awards brought together heartfelt tributes and rising stars, celebrating both the legacy of seasoned artists and the promise of new talent, all wrapped in a night of charm, warmth and well-earned applause.