The 24th Lux Style Awards (LSAs), held last week in Karachi, proved to be a night of contrasts—flawed yet formidable, uneven yet undeniably star-studded. While the ceremony attracted its fair share of online criticism, disgruntled nominees, and social media debates over fairness and entertainment value, it also reminded audiences why the LSAs still matter: their unmatched star power and cultural relevance.
Despite years of wavering celebrity attendance and industry skepticism toward awards, this year’s LSAs marked a noticeable return of influence. Hosted at the historic Mohatta Palace Museum, the sit-down ceremony saw an impressive turnout of Pakistan’s biggest names from television, film, music, and fashion. Channel heads, acclaimed directors, A-list actors, and the country’s most talked-about musicians filled the front rows, reaffirming the LSAs’ clout as the only awards platform representing the industry as a whole.
The location played a pivotal role in elevating the event. Mohatta Palace, illuminated with multicolored lights and complemented by a red carpet, live piano, and lush garden ambience, added an old-world grandeur that the Expo Centre often lacks. Accessibility and atmosphere combined to create an experience that felt special—something the LSAs had been missing in recent years.
Musically, the evening reached its emotional and artistic peak with Abida Parveen’s powerful live performance, amplified beautifully by the palace’s historic backdrop. A collaborative segment featuring young, popular musicians—Hasan Raheem, Aashir Wajahat, Nayel Wajahat, Nehaal Naseem, and Afusic—brought youthful energy and crowd engagement, offering a refreshing contrast to the otherwise uneven programming.
However, the ceremony faltered in its hosting and comedy segments. Hosts Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui and Sanam Saeed struggled with a lackluster script that leaned heavily on English and failed to spark genuine laughs. Comedy attempts by Sarmad Khoosat and Faiza Saleem, centered largely around social media trolling, fell flat and became repetitive, diluting the show’s momentum rather than enhancing it.
What did resonate were the winning speeches, many of which carried patriotic undertones. Asim Azhar’s heartfelt remarks about advancing Pakistani music, Yumna Zaidi’s gratitude toward the country, and repeated chants of “Pakistan Zindabad” reflected a collective emotional pulse—especially meaningful in a year marked by political and economic challenges. Fahad Mustafa’s candid admission about how special an LSA win still feels underscored the ceremony’s enduring prestige.
On the fashion front, the LSAs delivered spectacularly. The red carpet was one of the strongest seen in years, with designers and stylists clearly collaborating to curate impactful looks. Creations by Hussain Rehar and Fahad Hussayn dominated the best-dressed conversations, proving that even without nominations, fashion excellence speaks loudest on the carpet.
Ultimately, the 24th Lux Style Awards showcased both promise and pitfalls. While the event suffered from weak scripting, repetitive messaging, and underwhelming comedy, it succeeded where it mattered most—bringing the industry together under one roof. As the LSAs approach their 25th milestone edition, the hope is clear: stronger formats, greater transparency, and consistency year after year.
The ups were memorable enough to keep audiences watching, discussing, and caring—and that, perhaps, is the LSAs’ greatest victory.
