The venue was ablaze with the glittering presence of stars. The ambience was glamorous, congenial and intriguing. The stars' participation was full and so was their fanfare.

It was the Eid and millennium show arranged by PTV World's film-based program Yehi to hai Stillman's Lollywood. Like all other Eid shows, it was recorded in the last week of Ramazan and was aired on Eid day.

The place was the chic Millennium Cafe in Lahore, owned and operated by pop icon Fakhre Alam. Preparations for the show began early in December when the invitations were sent out and the theme planned. The affair was strictly set aside for stars and stars alone. Others present were either the production team or the stars escorts. This was one major reason that warded off problems and confusion which are the usual fare on such occasions.

This time around the show was not presented by its usual host Farah Shah. The stars themselves came up with exciting and colourful segments. Reema opened the show. She did the first few linkings where she greeted the viewers, her co-stars and the film industry with a happy New Year and an even happier Eid. Dressed in designer clothes she looked radiant. Nevertheless, she admitted hosting a show is no easy task.

Reema passed the mike to Saleem Sheikh and this went on until all the stars present had had their turn. There were no bad vibes as only those among the showbiz lot were invited who were sans any airs or nakhras. One could spot Javed Sheikh, Saud, Nirma, Shahida Mini, Khushboo, Arbaz Khan, Sana, Ahsan Khan, Zeeshan Sikandar, Hamza Ali, Maigha, choreographer Pappu Samrat, Karachi-based model Sonia Khan and TV director Shamoon, Fakhre Alam, Waris Baig, Shazia Manzoor, Humera Arshad, popular music band Heavens, Maria Wasti, Kashif Mehmood, Abdullah (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie), Ashraf Khan, film lyricist Khawaja Pervaiz, Sangeeta, Javed Fazil and Shehzad Rafique.

Resham was invited but she fell mysteriously 'ill' at the last moment. Meera probably didn't come for fear of being overshadowed by Reema. Moammar Rana was invited but he probably has no time to party. Rambo and Sahiba agreed to come but didn't.

Iffat Raheem, now proud to be Iffat Umar, made her first public appearance with her good-looking husband Umar Zulfiqar. The couple looked good and very happy. Dress designer Najeeba Zulfiqar alias Beegee came with Shahida Mini.

Amid all the Eid wishes, New Year resolutions and requests for favourite numbers, Nirma and Waris Baig performed a number together from the film Qarz. Sana sang a number from the Eid release Ghar Kab Aao Ge with Ahsan Khan. Shahida Mini's performance oozed of glamour and was different from her usual song-cum-dance parade. Clad in a shimmery grey saree, she looked stunning. She sang Madame Noor Jehan's Sanu Ne'hr Waley Pul Te Bula Ke. Shazia Manzoor sang her famous Chan Merey Makhna and Humera Arshad, her popular Choori Kanch Di.

Khawaja Pervaiz had everyone in stitches with his funny discourse. Ashraf Khan also made the audience laugh with his witty compering. Sangeeta publicly announced for the first time that Reema, Meera and Resham, who for a long time had stopped working together, will be working in one of her forthcoming films. The announcement was heavily applauded. Thus ended the show on a happy note.

Courtsy of  Dawn