26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards
| 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Artistic excellence in film, television, music, and digital media |
| Awarded by | |
| Date | May 23, 2025 |
| Site | Hall of Fame, Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center, Dhaka |
| Hosted by | |
| Directed by | Kabir Bakul |
| Official website | Official website |
| Highlights | |
| Best Film: Jury's choice | Priyo Maloti |
| Best Actor | Shakib Khan Toofan |
| Best Actress | Mehazabien Chowdhury Priyo Maloti |
| Lifetime achievement | Abul Hayat |
| Most nominations | Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya (5) |
| Television coverage | |
| Channel | Maasranga Television |
The 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards ceremony was held on 23 May 2025 at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Organized annually by the leading Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, in association with Square Toiletries Ltd., the awards are considered one of the most prestigious accolades in the country’s entertainment industry. The event celebrates artistic excellence in film, television, music, and digital media, recognizing works from the previous calendar year through popular vote and critics’ selection.
The 2025 edition honored achievements from 2024, with over 20 awards presented across various categories. A major highlight of the ceremony was the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was conferred on veteran actor Abul Hayat for his contributions to the performing arts over five decades.
Shakib Khan was a central figure at the ceremony, winning the Best Actor in popular choice award for his performance in the film Toofan (2024). In addition, he was honored with a special award marking 25 years of his contribution to Bangladeshi cinema, accompanied by a documentary tribute titled "Megastar Shakib Khan", chronicling his journey and impact on the industry.
Other major winners included Mamnun Hasan Emon, who won Best Actor in critics' choice for Mayaa (2024), and Mehazabien Chowdhury, who achieved a rare double by winning both the Best Actress in popular and critics' choice awards for her performance in Priyo Maloti (2024). Mosharraf Karim also received critical recognition for his performance in Adhunik Bangla Hotel. The Best Web Series award went to Rongila Kitab, directed by Anam Biswas, while Nuhash Humayun won Best Director (OTT) for Dui Shaw. Farrukh Ahmed Rehan was named Best Newcomer for his performance in Jugal.
The event was co-hosted by actors Afran Nisho and Tasnia Farin, both making their hosting debut. The ceremony featured musical and dramatic performances and was broadcast live on Maasranga Television, with additional streaming available on the official Facebook and YouTube channels of Meril, Prothom Alo, and Maasranga. The event garnered widespread public and media attention, reinforcing the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards as a cornerstone of cultural recognition in Bangladesh.