ISLAMABAD: Three leading Pakistani actors on Saturday participated in Bollywood’s Filmfare Middle East Achievers Night 2022 in Dubai, each one being honored for making contributions to their country’s entertainment industry in a star-studded ceremony held at the World Trade Center.

The event brought together some of the biggest names in the Indian film industry.

Amid the most prominent personalities, Hema Malini won the Lifetime Achievement Award after a successful Bollywood career spanning about five decades in which she earned recognition as an actor, producer and director.

Pakistan’s Humayun Saeed, Fahad Mustafa and Sajal Aly also interacted with the Bollywood fraternity and later shared their pictures with some of them on various social media platforms.

Saeed, who most recently performed in The Crown, thanked Filmfare for inviting him to the ceremony.

“I have been working [in the entertainment industry] for the last 25 years and you have still been tolerating me which is a huge achievement,” he smiled while addressing the audience.

He thanked everyone at the gathering for showing him “tremendous affection” while acknowledging the support of his family.

Filmfare also recognized Mustafa’s work by presenting him “The Promising Star of Pakistan” award.

Applauded for being a trendsetter in his country, the Pakistani artist said he “started acting because of Govinda,” a prominent Indian comedian and dancer who dominated Bollywood films for a significantly long period.

Aly also won “The Most Popular Face of Pakistani Cinema” award during the ceremony.

“Enjoy the evening,” she briefly said in the microphone after receiving the honor.

Asked if there was another place in the world where she would want to live, she smiled and said: “Why not India?”

The award ceremony included dazzling stage performances by young Bollywood actors like Ranveer Singh and Sunny Leone.