What Is 19th Meril Prothom Alo Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 19th Meril Prothom Alo Awards honored excellence in Bangladeshi entertainment for 2016, held on April 9, 2017, at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka. It celebrated achievements in film, television, music, and modeling with fan-voted and jury-selected categories.

Key Facts

Award ceremony held on April 9, 2017
Celebrated achievements in Bangladeshi entertainment for 2016
Ceremony hosted at Bangabandhu International Conference Center
Categories include film, TV, music, and modeling
Voting combines public votes and jury selection

Overview

The 19th Meril Prothom Alo Awards recognized outstanding contributions to Bangladeshi entertainment during 2016. Organized annually by the popular Bengali daily Prothom Alo and sponsored by Meril, a healthcare and consumer products company, the event is one of the most prestigious in Bangladesh's media industry.

Hosted on April 9, 2017, at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka, the ceremony drew top talent from film, television, music, and fashion. The awards blend public voting with expert jury decisions, ensuring both popularity and artistic merit are acknowledged.

Fans voted online for their favorite performers in major categories, contributing to the final results alongside a panel of industry experts.
Best Film Actor award was won by Arifin Shuvoo for his role in the 2016 blockbuster "Ostitto," directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.
Best Film Actress went to Jaya Ahsan for her performance in "Aynabaji," a critically acclaimed crime thriller released in 2016.
Best Director was awarded to Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, recognizing his work on "Doob," a film that later premiered internationally.
Best Playback Singer honors were split between male and female performers, with Momotaj winning for female vocal performance in a film song.

How It Works

The Meril Prothom Alo Awards operate through a hybrid selection process combining audience engagement with professional evaluation. Categories are divided into fan-voted and jury-selected awards, ensuring broad representation across entertainment sectors.

Public Voting: Fans participate via online polls on the Prothom Alo website, with voting windows open for several weeks before the ceremony.
Jury Panel: A committee of film critics, directors, and cultural experts evaluates artistic quality in select categories like Best Director and Best Film.
Eligibility Period: Only content released between January 1 and December 31, 2016, was considered for the 19th edition of the awards.
Categories: Over 20 awards span film, television drama, music, modeling, and special honors for lifetime achievement.
Sponsorship: Meril, a Bangladeshi healthcare brand, has been the title sponsor since the awards' inception in 1998.
Broadcast: The ceremony was televised live on Channel i, reaching millions of viewers across Bangladesh and the diaspora.

Comparison at a Glance

Award categories and selection methods vary significantly between fan-driven and jury-based honors. The table below compares key aspects of the 19th Meril Prothom Alo Awards:

Category Type	Voting Method	Number of Awards	Example Winner	Selection Criteria
Film (Jury)	Jury panel only	8	Mostofa Sarwar Farooki (Best Director)	Artistic merit, technical excellence
Film (Fan)	Public vote	5	Arifin Shuvoo (Best Actor)	Popularity, audience appeal
Television	Mixed (jury + public)	6	Moushumi (Best TV Actress)	Performance quality, viewership ratings
Music	Public vote	4	Imran Mahmudul (Best Male Singer)	Song popularity, chart performance
Modeling	Jury panel	2	Rodela Begum (Best Female Model)	Runway presence, portfolio strength

The dual voting system ensures that both mainstream favorites and critically acclaimed artists receive recognition. While fan categories highlight public favorites, jury-selected awards emphasize professional excellence, creating a balanced celebration of Bangladesh’s creative talent.

Why It Matters

The Meril Prothom Alo Awards play a crucial role in shaping Bangladesh’s entertainment landscape by validating artistic achievement and boosting industry visibility. Winning an award often leads to increased media exposure, endorsement deals, and career advancement for recipients.

National Recognition: Winners gain prestige across Bangladesh, often becoming household names after their award win.
International Exposure: Films honored at the event, like "Doob," later screen at international festivals such as Shanghai and Toronto.
Industry Benchmark: The awards set quality standards for filmmakers, musicians, and TV producers across the country.
Youth Inspiration: Young artists view the ceremony as a career goal, motivating them to pursue excellence in creative fields.
Cultural Impact: The event celebrates Bengali language and identity, reinforcing cultural pride in media content.
Economic Boost: Award-winning films and songs see increased box office revenue and streaming numbers post-ceremony.

By honoring both popular and artistic achievements, the 19th Meril Prothom Alo Awards reinforced the importance of diverse talent in Bangladesh’s evolving entertainment industry, setting a precedent for future ceremonies.