The image of legendary artistes Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin being given Lifetime Achievement Awards by an emotional Ferdausi Rahman -- will be immortalised as one of the most meaningful, significant and iconic moments in the history of the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards.

The 23rd iteration of the prestigious award function was held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre's (BICC) Hall of Fame, on Friday night.

Siam Ahmed won Best Actor (Popular Choice) for his role in “Mridha Banam Mridha”

As stars poured in donning unique attires, the event became a melting pot of the best that our showbiz world has to offer – actors, directors, musicians, cinematographers and journalists made it a unique entertainment hub, that went sorely missing for two years due to the pandemic.

The show opened with a heartfelt speech by Matiur Rahman, Editor of The Daily Prothom Alo, followed by a vote of thanks by the Managing Director of Square Toiletries, Anjan Chowdhury.

A minute of silence was observed for Aly Zaker, Sarah Begum Kabori, and all other stars that we lost, during the two-year hiatus of the programme.

The event, hosted by Riaz, Ferdous and Nusraat Faria, progressed with mesmerising performances, one after another. A mashup of timeless songs originally sung by the Lifetime Achievement Awardees were soulfully voiced by Dilshad Nahar Kona and Sanzida Mahmood Nandita. Animes Roy and Pantha Kanai rocked the stage with Coke Studio Bangla's "Nasek Nasek", on which Siam Ahmed and Bidya Sinha Mim performed a brilliant choreography.

For ‘Alatchakra’, Jaya Ahsan won Best Actress (Popular Choice).

Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin were visibly moved, when it was time to receive their Lifetime Achievement honours. "Why are you giving me the Lifetime Achievement Award, my life is just starting," jested Runa Laila. Eminent actor Asaduzzaman Noor adorned the awardees with ceremonial scarfs.  As the legends serenaded the audience, they proved that they had not missed a beat. "Thank you Meril-Prothom Alo for this honour. The fact that I get to receive it from Ferdausi apa makes it even better," said Sabina Yasmin.

The award function in itself was a jubilant celebration of new and old, with the likes of Jaya Ahsan and Siam Ahmed establishing their dominance with their wins as best actors respectively (Popular Choice) -- and the stars of television and OTT, including Mehazabien Chowdhury, Afran Nisho, Tasnia Farin, Manoj Pramanik leaving a mark, as they were awarded for their powerful on-screen performances.

Mehazabien Chowdhury was awarded as Best Actress (Television).

After becoming a sensation in the Cannes Film Festival last year, "Rehana Maryam Noor" bagged two awards for Best Actress (Badhon) and Best Film in the Critics' Choice category. OTT sensation "Mohanagar" director Ashfaque Nipun was also awarded in this category. Fazlur Rahman Babu added to his legacy, as he won Best Actor (Critic) for his role in "Khanchar Bhetor Ochin Pakhi". N Rashed Chowdhury was rewarded as Best Director for "Chandrabati Kotha".

Talented rising musicians Abanti Sithi and Tanveer Evan made their presence felt, as they won awards for best singers in the Popular Choice category.

Performances continued to woo the audience, as Afran Nisho, Mehazabien, Sabila Nur and Tanjin Tisha performed in an energetic medley of songs, proving to the film fraternity that the small screen could go toe-to-toe with them when it comes to panache.

Afran Nisho won Best Actor (Television).

An inspired and content audience walked out of BICC on Friday -- getting to watch, interact with and even take selfies with their favourite stars – as the industry looks to have bounced back from the dire times of the pandemic.

Below is the full list of winners in two major categories, Critics' and Popular Choice. 

CRITICS' CHOICE (LIMITED LENGTH FICTION)

Best Scriptwriter: Maruf Hossain Sazib (Biplob)

Best Director: Kisloo Golam Haider (Laboni)

Best Actress: Tasnia Farin (Tithir Oshukh)

Best Actor: Manoj Pramanik (Laboni)

CRITIC'S CHOICE (WEB SERIES)

Best Director: Ashfaque Nipun (Mohanagar)

SPECIAL JURY AWARD

Sukorno Shahed Dhiman (Bunker Boy)

CRITICS' CHOICE (FILM)

Best Director: N Rashed Chowdhury (Chondraboti Kotha)

Best Film: Rehana Maryam Noor

Best Actor: Fazlur Rahman Babu (Khanchar Bhetor Ochin Pakhi)

Best Actress: Azmeri Haque Badhon (Rehana Maryam Noor)

POPULAR CHOICE

Best Singer (Male): Tanveer Evan (Obhiman: Best Friend 3)

Best Singer (Female): Abanti Sithi (Rupkothar Jogote: Networker Baire)

Best New Face: Jannatul Ferdous Oishee (Mission Extreme)

Best Television Actor: Afran Nisho (Punorjonmo)

Best Television Actress: Mehazabien Chowdhury (Chirokal Aaj)

Best Film Actress: Jaya Ahsan (Alatchakra)

Best Film Actor: Siam Ahmed (Mridha Bonam Mridha)