26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards

Last updated
26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards
Awarded forArtistic excellence in film, television, music, and digital media
Awarded by
DateMay 23, 2025 (2025-05-23)
SiteHall of Fame, Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center, Dhaka
Hosted by
Directed by Kabir Bakul
Official website Official website
Highlights
Best Film: Jury's choice Priyo Maloti
Best Actor Shakib Khan
Toofan
Best Actress Mehazabien Chowdhury
Priyo Maloti
Lifetime achievement Abul Hayat [1]
Most nominationsKacher Manush Dure Thuiya (5)
Television coverage
Channel Maasranga Television

The 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards ceremony was held on 23 May 2025 at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Organized annually by the leading Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, in association with Square Toiletries Ltd., the awards are considered one of the most prestigious accolades in the country’s entertainment industry. The event celebrates artistic excellence in film, television, music, and digital media, recognizing works from the previous calendar year through popular vote and critics’ selection. [2]

Contents

The 2025 edition honored achievements from 2024, with over 20 awards presented across various categories. A major highlight of the ceremony was the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was conferred on veteran actor Abul Hayat for his contributions to the performing arts over five decades. [3]

Shakib Khan was a central figure at the ceremony, winning the Best Actor in popular choice award for his performance in the film Toofan (2024). [4] In addition, he was honored with a special award marking 25 years of his contribution to Bangladeshi cinema, accompanied by a documentary tribute titled "Megastar Shakib Khan", chronicling his journey and impact on the industry. [5] [6] [7]

Other major winners included Mamnun Hasan Emon, who won Best Actor in critics' choice for Maya (2024), and Mehazabien Chowdhury, who achieved a rare double by winning both the Best Actress in popular and critics' choice awards for her performance in Priyo Maloti (2024). [8] Mosharraf Karim also received critical recognition for his performance in Adhunik Bangla Hotel. The Best Web Series award went to Rongila Kitab, directed by Anam Biswas, while Nuhash Humayun won Best Director (OTT) for Dui Shaw. Farrukh Ahmed Rehan was named Best Newcomer for his performance in Jugal. [5]

The event was co-hosted by actors Afran Nisho and Tasnia Farin, both making their hosting debut. [9] The ceremony featured musical and dramatic performances and was broadcast live on Maasranga Television, with additional streaming available on the official Facebook and YouTube channels of Meril, Prothom Alo, and Maasranga. The event garnered widespread public and media attention, reinforcing the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards as a cornerstone of cultural recognition in Bangladesh.

Background

The 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards ceremony featured a series of musical and dance performances celebrating the year’s achievements in entertainment. The event opened with a colorful dance sequence performed by Tama Mirza, Mandira Chakraborty, and Hridi Sheikh, choreographed by Ivan Shahriar Sohag and accompanied by music from Binod Roy. Sohag Dance Group handled the stage choreography.

A themed performance titled "Dushtu Kokil" included appearances by Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, Dilshad Nahar Kona, and Farrukh Ahmed Rehan, also choreographed by Sohag Dance Group.

The segment "TikTok TikTok" featured actors Tawsif Mahbub, Irfan Sajjad, Mumtaheena Toya, Prarthana Fardin Dighi, Dola Rahman, and Twink Kerala, performed and choreographed by Eagle Dance Group.

A major highlight was the tribute segment "Shakib Khan's Silver Jubilee", celebrating 25 years of the Shakib Khan's career. It featured performances to hit tracks from O Priyotoma, Rajkumar, Dil Dil Dil, and Toofan Theme, with participation by Mamnun Hasan Emon, Nirab Hossain, Ziaul Roshan, Puja Cherry, and Shakib Khan himself. Veteran singers Balam, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Imran Mahmudul, and Arif Rahman Joy contributed vocals, while Eagle Dance Group managed choreography and staging. [10]

The finale "Laage Ura Dhura", performed by Pritom Hasan and choreographed by Eagle Dance Group, closed the evening.

The venue for the event was the Hall of Fame at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka. The signature theme music was composed by Ayub Bachchu. [11] [12]

Winner and Nominees

Public choice awards

Best Male SingerBest Female Singer
Best Film Actor Best Film Actress
Best TV Actor Best TV Actress
Best Newcomer (Film and Television)
  • Farrukh Ahmed Rehan - Jugol
    • Kaarina Kaisar - 36-24-36
    • Xefar Rahman - Last Defender of Monogamy
    • Malaika Chowdhury - Shonddikkhon

Critics' Choice Awards

Best Film Best Director
Best ActorBest Actress
Best Screenwriter in the Short FictionBest Director in the Short Fiction
  • Subrata Sanjib - Rod Brishtir Golpo
    • Abdullah Al Mamun, Rifat Adnan Papon Sajjad Hossain Bappy - Poroshpor
    • Jahan Sultana - Tithidor
  • Jahid Pritom - Buk Poketer Golpo
    • Potik Shadon - Kichu Kotha Baki
    • Sajjad Hossain Bappy -Poroshpor
Best Actor in the Short FictionBest Actress in the Short Fiction
Best WebseriesBest Director (Web series)
  • Rongila Kitab
    • Kal Purush
    • Sinpat
Best Actor (Web series)Best Actress (Web series)
  • Mosharraf Karim - Adhunik Bangla Hotel
    • FS Nayeem - Kal Purush
    • Mustafizur Nur Imran - Rongila Kitab
Best Screenwriter (Web series)

Special Honoured

Host and Jury Board

The ceremony was hosted by actors Afran Nisho and Tasnia Farin, with Nilanjana Rahman serving as the co-host, [9] while the opening segment was hosted by actor Afzal Hossain. [15]

Web Series
Tariq Anam Khan, Aupee Karim, Ashfaque Nipun, and Syed Ahmed Shawki.
Short Fiction
Zahid Hasan, Tropa Majumdar, Shihab Shaheen, and Intekhab Dinar.
Film and Web Film
Afzal Hossain, N Rashed Chowdhury, Azmeri Haque Badhon, and Kamrul Hasan Khasru.

Presenters and performers

Presenters

List of award presenters at the 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards [17]
Presenter(s)Award Presented
Dilara Zaman Lifetime Achievement Award
Tauquir Ahmed and Nusrat Imrose Tisha Short Fiction
Ashfaque Nipun and Afsana Mimi Best Web Series, Best Director (Web Series)
Shahiduzzaman Selim and Azmeri Haque Badhon Best Film Actress
Anjan Chowdhury and Motin Rahman Special Honor for Shakib Khan (25-year contribution)
Jewel Aich and Afzal Hossain Best Film Actor
Kanak Chapa and Bappa Mazumder Best Female Playback Singer
Fazlur Rahman Babu and Sumaiya Shimu Best TV Actor

Performers

List of performances at the 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards [16]
PerformanceDetails
Opening DancePerformed by Tama Mirza, Mondira Chakroborty, and Hridy Sheikh; music by Binod Roy; choreography by Ivan Shahriar Sohag; performed by Sohag Dance Group.
Dushtu KokilFeaturing Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, Dilshad Nahar Kona, and Farrukh Ahmed Rehan; choreography by Ivan Shahriar Sohag; performed by Sohag Dance Group.
TikTok TikTokPerformed by Tawsif Mahbub, Irfan Sajjad, Mumtahina Toya, Prarthana Fardin Dighi, Dola Rahman, and Twink Kerala; choreography and performance by Eagle Dance Group.
Shakib Khan's Silver Jubilee TributeFeaturing Mamnun Hasan Emon, Nirab Hossain, Ziaul Roshan, Puja Cherry, and Shakib Khan; vocals by Balam, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Imran Mahmudul, and Arif Rahman Joy; choreography and performance by Eagle Dance Group.
Megastar Shakib KhanDocumentary on Shakib Khan, for 25 years of contribution to Bangladeshi cinema, accompanied by a documentary tribute.
Laage Ura Dhura Performed by Pritom Hasan; choreography and performance by Eagle Dance Group.

Superlatives

Multiple Nominations

5 — Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya (Web film)

Multiple Wins

3 — Toofan

References

  1. "Meril-Prothom Alo Awards: Abul Hayat receives lifetime achievement award". Prothom Alo. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  2. "লালগালিচায় তারকারা, শুরু হলো মেরিল–প্রথম আলো পুরস্কার". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 23 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  3. "আমি তোমাদেরই লোক: আবুল হায়াত". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 24 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  4. "সেরা চলচ্চিত্র অভিনেতা শাকিব খান, সেরা অভিনেত্রী কে". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 23 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Meril-Prothom Alo Awards 2024 held". The Daily Star. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  6. "আমার দিন শেষ হয়নি, দিন তো মাত্র শুরু: শাকিব". চ্যানেল আই অনলাইন (in Bengali). 24 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  7. "অনেক কাছের মানুষ বলেছিলেন তোমার দিন শেষ: শাকিব খান". Somoy News (in Bengali). 24 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  8. "মেহজাবীন বললেন, 'বিয়ের পর আমার ভাগ্য খুলে গেছে'". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 24 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  9. 1 2 বকুল, কবির (25 May 2025). "ধন্যবাদ আফরান নিশো, ধন্যবাদ তাসনিয়া ফারিণ". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  10. "২৫ বছরের জীবনে বহু রং দেখেছি: শাকিব খান". Jugantor (in Bengali). 25 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  11. "Meril Prothom-Alo Awards 2024: Biggest winners in the marquee event". The Daily Star. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  12. "Meril-Prothom Alo Awards 2024: A star-studded celebration of creativity and culture". The Business Standard. 2025-05-24. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  13. "আবুল হায়াত পেলেন আজীবন সম্মাননা". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 23 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  14. "আমার দিন শেষ হয়নি, দিন তো মাত্র শুরু : শাকিব খান". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 24 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  15. "'আফজাল হোসেন স্যারের উপস্থাপনা মন্ত্রমুগ্ধ হয়ে উপভোগ করেছি'". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 24 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  16. 1 2 "মেরিল –প্রথম আলো পুরস্কার ২০২৪". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 25 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  17. "কোন কোন তারকা তুলে দিলেন পুরস্কার". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 25 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.