MUMBAI: On Thursday night, the Bhaidas Hall in Vile Parle (a suburb in Mumbai) buzzed with anticipation, excitement and delight, as the Lions Club International gave away awards honouring the film and television industry for 2003.
 

12 awards were presented to the television industry. Aaj Tak was adjudged the News Channel for the year 2003. UTV turned up trumps as the Best Production House. Hotly contested, the best actor in the male category was won by Kiran Karmarkar (Om Aggarwal) for Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, when the best actor in the female category was bagged by Niki Aneja Walia (Dr Simran) for Astitva... Ek Prem Kahani.

Rajeev Khandelwal (Sujal, a favourite with female viewers) was adjudged the Best Male Newcomer, while Mona Singh won the Best Female Newcomer Award for her histrionics in the aggressively marketed SET serial Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.

Ajai Sinha was conferred the Best Director Award for his skills on Astitva... Ek Prem Kahani, while the Best Serial Award went to the thus far unfeted Kittie Party. Urvashi Dholakia who has become a household name, courtesy the character of Komolika in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, was declared the Best Vamp. Shabir Ahluwalia (Rishi, better known as Mrs Braganza, these days) proved to be her counterpart, when he held the trophy aloft for the Best Villain for Kahiin To Hoga.

Pankaj Kapur, who plays Musaddilal in Sab TV's Office Office got the best TV actor in a comic role (male), and better half Supriya Pathak as Hansa Parekh on Star Plus' Khichdi got the best TV actor in a comic role (female) award.

Surprisingly, three serials that currently rule the roost at the TRP stakes- Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Sanjivani- A Medical Boon and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand did not win awards in any category, perhaps due to the fact that there were only 12 awards waiting to be given away in contrast to 19 awards meant for the film industry.

City police commissioner Dr P S Pasricha presented the awards.