Sonya Hussyn calls out Lux Style Awards for its 'double standards' when nominating television dramas

Actor and model Sonya Hussyn spoke her heart out and berated the Lux Style Awards for nominating television dramas on the basis of their popularity and high viewer ratings alone without considering the quality of the content itself.

The Lux Style Awards 2021 recently announced its nominations in the categories of music, fashion and television. Dramas such as Ehd-e-Wafa, Alif and Pyar Key Sadqey were nominated in the Best TV Serial category. The drama Saraab — which starred Hussyn — did not make the cut and the actor took to Instagram to share her thoughts on a decision she deemed 'disappointing'.

"it is very disappointing to see that a project like Saraab did not bag even a single nomination at the Lux Style Awards 2021," she wrote. "We talk about the need for meaningful content that also educates the masses with real issues but when [such content is] finally created they're hardly ever recognised/nominated for awards. Aren't those double standards?"

Hussyn lamented that the criteria for nominating drama serials seems to prioritise popularity over the delivery of meaningful content. "Meaningful content or hit projects? [I] have never really understood the criteria for these award shows," she continued. "If [it's the] latter then why were some of my mega blockbuster dramas like Aesi Hai Tanhai (based on social media abuse), Nazo (based on child abuse), Ishq Zahe Naseeb (based on dual personality disorder), Shikwa (based on societal pressures that widows face) and Meri Guriya (based on child abuse) never considered at all in the past?" she asked.

"I've been silent for seven years but really, were none of these [dramas] deserving? Not even a single project? Anyhow, in a country where veteran artists are given lifetime achievement awards after they're gone, then who am I to question?"

According to Hum TV, the channel that broadcast Saraab, the drama raised "an important mental health issue which revolves around patients suffering from schizophrenia". It was directed by Mohsin Talat and written by Edison Idrees Masih, starring Hussyn, Sami Khan, Nazish Jahangir and Ghana Ali.