Will Hum Style Awards Respond To The Public Outrage?

The Pakistani TV and Film fraternity arrived in Lahore last week to attend the glitzy and glamourous ceremony for the Hum Style Awards’21. For most, it was a welcome change from being cooped up indoors due to the pandemic and finally, they could relax and enjoy themselves (granted they brought their vaccination slips with them).

While most attendees had a wonderful time, some were quick to point out the numerous issues that became more evident as the show progressed. These included the lack of style amongst most attendees (think generic Met Gala inspired gowns and very little creative ownership involved) and the fact that Ali Zafar was one of the hosts for the evening.

The same mysterious host Hum had been alluding to over weeks leading up to the event. Many questioned the secrecy and wondered if it was kept under wraps to minimise public outcry and boycott? We can’t say for sure. However, after the Bill Cosby sex conviction was overturned, many are outraged because they believe it’s setting a precedent for future (alleged) harassers that they can do whatever they want and run scot-free.

Like always, there are two sides to a story, in this scenario, an allegation – and Twitter users were full of opinions about what should and shouldn’t have happened over the weekend.

Maheen Khan’s Take On Style, Or The Lack Thereof…

You know things are bad when the Beacon of Style herself, alludes to mediocrity at the Hum Style Awards’21. In the realm of fashion Maheen Khan is highly respected and celebrated for her creativity and stylistic choices. However, she had little to praise when asked about style at Hum Style Awards’21.

This makes us wonder, are we losing connection with our roots and trying to aspire for that which is out of reach, or have we, in doing so, lost touch of who we are at our essence and begun to emulate that which isn’t truly ours and will never be? Fusion fashion is all the rage, but everyone loves a good sari moment. Here’s to hoping we get to see more of that in the future.

I sometimes feel I'm swimming against the tide . And yet there are moments when my heart leaps.
But today is not that day pic.twitter.com/iN66RpfUwc

— Maheen Khan (@Maheenkhanpk) July 4, 2021

Yes I would have wished to see more fusion . There is so much to explore in the sari for example .
"Fashion should be a form of escapism and not a form of imprisonment "Alexander Mcqueen

— Maheen Khan (@Maheenkhanpk) July 5, 2021

That's true about Vaneeza.
(Didn't come across Giti Ara's picture. )

— Sobiah Qureshi (@SobiahQ) July 5, 2021

Meesha Shafi Calls Out Hum Style Awards

No one is a stranger to the allegations made against Ali Zafar by Meesha Shafi and the current proceedings in court. Therefore, it came as a shock to no one when Meesha Shafi called out Hum Style Awards for defending an alleged harasser.

1 sec… you celebrate/award/defend and support harassers, this is old news. So no surprises.
But shouldn’t ‘style’ awards atleast try to find someone with style 2 host their show?? And @HUMStyleAwards please stop nominating me 🙏🏼 I don’t need validation from enablers.

— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 4, 2021

Naturally, Pakistanis had a lot to say:

Innocent Unless Proven Guilty

Dear Ms. Lawyer… I hope you know the difference between "alleged" and "proven guilty". If not, kindly look up in your law books, ask a law teacher or check any basic English dictionary. That might help you.

— Ovais Mangalwala (@ovaismangalwala) July 5, 2021

It's a paradox. Evidence is hard to gather and prove and we can't declare someone guilty without evidence. No best solution is available. However, we do have some heuristics like more surveillance, better prosecution/investigation, more awareness and safe interactions

— Ahmad Saleem (@AhmadSaleem2604) July 5, 2021

Guilty Unless Proven Innocent

Different rules for different stars. Mahira has to "use her power" & call out HUM TV to boycott Ali Zafar (mind you, she has never worked with him post allegations) while her contemporaries get to star in films with him & constantly advocate for him, no one cares. 🤡

— 🌌 (@aestheticallyFM) July 4, 2021

Surprisingly #Hum is the only channel being run under a woman command .the content is worse .the sad part is Sultana apa chose Ali zafar despite knowing that he has various harrasement allegations on his shoulder.

— jessy🧕💃☘️🍁 (@CeenIm) July 3, 2021

To the ppl who surely will comment ‘innocent until proven’:
Have you seen him talk about women? How he say “He had opportunities” with bollywood & other beautiful women? This is the narrative that he follows that if he had to harass women he would’ve harassed foreign women & not+

— خراب عورت (@KharabAurat) July 3, 2021

Many are expecting Hum Style Awards to come out with an official statement regarding the matter, but going by the look of things, it’s highly unlikely that a statement will be issued any time soon.

Did you watch the Hum Style Awards’21 ceremony this year? What are your views, let us know.

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