The Masala Awards 2017 was a star studded affair. It honored the best of the Asian community in the UAE. From lifestyle to bloggers, Masala Magazine brought Pakistani and Indian A-Listers and celebrities at one platform. The Red Carpet at the Masala Awards 2017 was a glamorous, glitzy and starry event. Actresses Mahira Khan, Saba Qamar and Mawra Hocane graced the Red Carpet with their beautiful dresses and perfect looks. From India, we saw Boman Irani, Arjun Rampal, Govinda, Sri Devi, Boney Kapoor, Sukhbir, Lulia Vantur and Anita Lokhande.
Here are the nominees for the Masala Awards 2017:
Best Blogger
Jannat Miranda
JMode
Kimberly D’Souza and Denver Britto
WhereMyFoodAt
Kiran Farooq
Kiran Farooq
Naomi D’Souza
Naomi D’Souza
Shehzeen Rehman
The Desi Wonder Woman
Best DJ
DJ Jeff
DJ Karan Bhatia
DJ Scorpio
DJ Shadow
DJ Tushar
Best Show (Entertainment)
Amit Tandon Live/Honestly Speaking by Amit Tandon at The Junction
Dr. Mashoor Gulati’s Comedy Clinic (played by Sunil Grover) at The Indian High School
MTV India Unplugged Presents Ayushmann Khurrana & Ali Zafar Live at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
Racy Desi – Amit Asudani The Danga Doctor at The Courtyard Playhouse
Rang De 2017 Wonderland
Best Show (Lifestyle)
Boulevard One
DIVAlicious
Ennigma
Numaish
The Glam Closet
Best TV Channel
ARY Digital
Colors TV ME
MTV India
Sony Entertainment Television
Star Plus
Best Restaurant
Bombay Brasserie Taj Dubai
Carnival by Tresind Burj Daman
Farzi Cafe City Walk 2
Jodhpur Royal Dining Al Murooj Rotana
Mint Leaf of London Emirates Financial Towers
But since it is awards night and someone has to win, here are the winners and presenters of the Masala Awards 2017.
JUDGES CHOICE CATEGORIES
- Lifetime Achievement Award
RAM BUXANI
Presented by Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Group
- Global Business Achiever
AZAD MOOPEN
Presented by Rizwan Sajan, Founder, Danube Group
Collected on Dr Moopen’s behalf by S. Gopinath
- Businessperson of the year
REHAN HASSAN
Presented by Raza Beig, CEO, Splash and ICONIC
- CEO of the Year
ZUBIN KARKARIA
Presented by Rohit Dhamani, Director, Dhamani Group
Collected on his behalf by Peter Brun, CCO, VFS Global
- Young Achiever in Business (Female)
NISHA JAGTIANI
Presented by Yogesh Mehta, CEO, Petrochem
Collected on her behalf by Raza Beig
- Young Achiever in Business (Male)
ALOKI BATRA
Presented by Sarah Belhasa, Founder, Studio 8 Fashion Studio and Vice-Chairperson, Saif Belhasa Group of Companies and Manish Malhotra, Designer
- Best Philanthropic Initiative
ROWSHAN ALI
Presented by Saher Shaikh, Founder, The Adopt-a-Camp Foundation
- Inspirational Personality of the year
SUJITH KOSHY VARGHESE
Presented by Rizwan Sajan, Founder, Danube Group
- Fashion Designer of the year
VAROIN MARWAH
Presented by Sima Ved, Vice-Chairperson, Apparel Group
- Most Stylish Person of the year
MUKTA SHAHDADPURI
Presented by Faraz Manan, Designer
POPULAR CHOICE CATEGORIES
- Best Blogger
SHEHZEEN REHMAN, THE DESI WONDER WOMAN
Presented by Kulwant Singh, CEO, Lama Tours
- Best Club Night
DÉJÀ VU
Presented by Chanaka Ranasinghe, Dubai International Hotels
- Best Restaurant
FARZI CAFÉ
Maktoom Jan, Director, Business Development, Jan & Bros. and Ms Daisy Shah, actress
- Best RJ
MALAVIKA VARADAN, CITY 1016
Presented by Faisal Khan, Founder, Mesmerise Events
- Best Show (Entertainment)
- MASHOOR GULATI’S COMEDY CLINIC (PLAYED BY SUNIL GROVER)
Presented by Lulia Vantur.
- Best Show (Lifestyle)
DIVALICIOUS
Presented by Lulia Vantur.
- Best TV Channel
SONY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION
Presented by Chimoo Acharya, Founder and Owner, Encore Designs
- Best DJ
DJ KARAN BHATIA
Presented by Vianney Monis, Business Development Manager, Whyte & Mackay Limited
ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
- Asian Music Sensation
BILAL SAEED
Presented by Faisal Khan, Founder, Mesmerise Events
- Social Media Sensation
MAWRA HOCANE
Presented by Punjabi Legends Abrar Ul Haq and CEO, Punjabi Legends, Wajahat Haider
- Breakthrough Performance of the Year
SABA QAMAR
Presented by Faisal Khan, Founder, Mesmerise Events
- Dynamic Producer of the Year
PRERNA ARORA
Presented by Maktoom Jan, Director, Business Development, Jan & Bros.
Collected on her behalf by Boman Irani
- Contribution to Cinema
ARJUN RAMPAL
Presented by Raza Beig, CEO, Splash and Iconic
Asian Woman of Substance
MAHIRA KHAN
Presented by Yogesh Mehta, CEO, Petrochem
- Dancing Legend of Bollywood
GOVINDA
Presented by Harmeek Singh, Founder & CEO, Plan B
- Outstanding Performance for ‘Mom’
SRIDEVI
Presented by Harmeek Singh, Founder & CEO, Plan b
Here are some of the highlights of the awards. (Credit: Buzzy Bee Communications)