Burka Avenger brings home Asian Media Award for 'Best TV Show'

By Entertainment Desk

Updated about 2 hours ago

Pakistan's first animated series, Burka Avenger bagged the award for the Best TV Show at the second Asian Media Awards on Tuesday night.

The star studded event took place at Hilton Deansgate, Manchester and was hosted by ITV Central's Sameena Ali Khan and BBC's Football League Show presenter, Manish Bhasin.

The Asian Media Awards highlight the achievements of Asians in the media and is dedicated to rewarding their talent, drive and potential.

Burka Avenger was nominated along with Brits Bollywood (Zing TV) and Broken Silence(Brit Asia TV), for the prestigious award.

Burka Avenger has already received a plethora of awards – including a Peabody Award and an International Emmy nomination – and has also garnered a great deal of international attention.

Read through: Burka Avenger wins Peabody award

Directed by Aaron Haroon Rashid and produced by Unicorn Black Studios, the 13 episode series aired on Geo Tez of Geo Network TV in 2013.

Burka Avenger’s story revolves around an animated superheroine, Jiya who wears a burqa as a disguise to conceal her identity while fighting villains for justice, peace and education for all.

The series stars the talented Ainy Jaffri and Hamza Ali Abbasi as the voice of Burka Avenger and Baba Bandook respectively, and features songs from some of the biggest musical acts from across South Asia, including Ali Zafar, Haroon, Ali Azmat and Josh among many others.

Some of the other awards given out at the Asian Media Award include Star Plus for 'Best TV Channel' and Channel 4's report Why Muslim Women Choose to Wear the Veil for 'Best TV Report of the Year'.

UK's Shekar Bhatia won 'Journalist of the Year' award and the upcoming youth of the media fraternity was also encouraged with Layla Haidrani coming out on top in the 'Outstanding Young Journalist' category.

Renowned British-Indian director Waris Hussein was also honoured at the ceremony and presented with the 'Oustanding Contribution to Media' award.