Viewer's verdict

Atiqul Huq Chowdhury, dramatist and Richie Solaiman, actress seen with anchor Anisul Huq.

But a very few of the dramas attract the viewers with good acting by the performers. Only a model or two show promising talent in the art. All magazine shows invariably fail to win the huge popularity of Hanif Shangket's Ityadi. Very few bands earn the fans' confidence. And no new films promise the slightest hope of the revival of the golden era of the film industry.

Yet the viewers keep sending votes for their favourites to the supplement Ananda of the Daily Prothom Alo. For that will culminate in a popular contest based on the viewers' poll: the Meril Prothom Alo Star Survey Awards. Also, there is the Critics' Awards of the same name that is given on the scrutinised decision made by a panel of intellectuals. And since its inception four years ago, the Meril Prothom Alo awards have achieved immense popularity both among the cultural performers and the audience.

On May 23 evening Prothom Alo organised the fourth event of this award for the year 2002 at the stately Planners' Hall of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. A grand meeting of the stars from almost all the cultural fields, the ceremony was perhaps the most boisterously entertaining. Indeed, it always is so.

This year the Star Survey awards for the best model were given to Monalisa and Sabbir Ahmed for their performance in the commercial of Lily Cosmetics. Young and talented singer Asif Akbar and popular Kanak Champa won the poll for the best singers, while Prometheus was chosen the best musical band. Desh Jurey, a documentary magazine show aired by the now defunct Ekushey Television, is still on the audience's mind as the best for the category. On the other hand, immensely popular and ever entertaining Ityadi clenched the award for the best magazine show for the fourth time.

For the best actor and actress in film, Riyaz and Shabnur were given the verdict. And popular Zahid Hasan and Bipasha Hayat won the best actor and actress in TV dramas.

TV drama Chaturtho Matra won three of this year's Critic's Awards--for the best script, the best direction and the best actor. The award for the best actress was given to Richie Solaiman for her role in the play Tyag.

This year's programme was marked by the award for the lifelong achievement. Eminent film actor-director Shubhash Datta received the award for his contribution to the film industry of the country.

The Meril-Prothom Alo award is praised by many as one of the 'awards that can be trusted'. Perhaps it is high time the authority increased the number of categories, at least for the Critic's Award. The prizes are given only for excellence in TV drama. The film industry should also be included for the contest. It would certainly help the neglected but strong enough industry improve its quality and increase its audience.