The award ceremony and gala of the 11th edition of The Daily Star-Standard Chartered Celebrating Life, a film-making, photography and lyrics contest, was held at the International Convention City Bashundhara last night. Three cultural luminaries were felicitated with lifetime achievement awards at the event.

The lifetime achievement awardees – actor-director Aly Zaker, actor and cultural activist Syed Hasan Imam and singer Runa Laila – were honoured for their stellar work and contribution to their respective fields. “Receiving a lifetime achievement award from The Daily Star, the leading English newspaper of Bangladesh, is a great honour," says Syed Hasan Imam. “I have always regarded The Daily Star as a tasteful and honest publication of our country. I extend my best wishes to the entire team and hope that they continue shedding light on stories of significance.”

Syed Hasan Imam. Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel

Actor-director Aly Zaker was elated to be honoured on the occasion. “I am immensely grateful to have received this recognition for my work from such a prominent newspaper of Bangladesh. It is a matter of prestige for me,” he says.

Runa Laila was also really delighted to receive the award.

Aly Zaker. Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel