The Meril-Prothom Alo Award is regarded as one of the few prestigious awards given to the artistes as recognition of their talent. In his opening speech Motiur Rahman, editor of Prothom Alo said that besides publishing news Prothom Alo also contributes to social and cultural causes.

Next the podium was taken over by Anjan Chowdhury, the managing director of Square Pharmaceuticals, who delivered a welcome speech.

On the heels of the speeches, was a popular wedding song Malka Banur Deshe Re. Model Shimul, attired as a groom, came out of a Palki and invited the host Abul Hayat to join him on stage. With dazzling and colourful lights, Hayat arrived on the spotlight and kept the audience in splits with his unique brand of humour.

Next Shah Abdul Karim's popular Baul numbers were rendered by three Baul groups. Karim has received this year's Meril-Prothom Alo Lifetime Achievement Award. Parts of the documentary on the Baul-Shamrat were projected. Veteran folk singer Mostafa Zaman Abbasi presented him with the award.

Five awards were given in the film category -- a special award on film, best film, best director, best actor and best actress. The lucky winner of the best film award '04 was Shankhanad, directed by Abu Sayeed.

Tauquir Ahmed was awarded as the best director for his film Joyjatra.

Riaz and Aupi Karim were the fortunate duo to get the best actor and actress award respectively in the film category. Faridur Reza Sagar, on behalf of Impress Tele-film, received an award for the children's movie Duratta, in a special award for film category.

From this year Meril-Prothom Alo has introduced an award in dance. Eminent dancer and composer Tamanna Rahman performed with Subir Nandi's rendition of Aami Brishtir Kachhe. Tamanna received her award right after that.

Actress Najma Anwar was awarded posthumously in the special award criteria. Shomi Kaiser announced Nehal Quraishi as the best cameraman, while Abdullah Al Mamun announced Giasuddin Selim as the best TV playwright. Animesh Aich, the director of the TV play Kufa, received the Critic's Award. Nobel, Tisha, Monalisa, Alamgir and others appeared next on stage to entertain the audience. This was followed by an announcement of best actor and actress in TV drama category. The elated winners were Sanjiban Sarkar and Subarna Mustafa.

Models dressed as miscreants took the stage next. A fashion show was staged to portray the ongoing phenomenon of "crossfires".

The viewer survey award, the main attraction of the event, came up next. Nobel, Asif and Prometheus were elected as best model, best singer and best band respectively by the viewers. Tisha was elected the best female model while Doli Shayontoni bagged the best female vocalist award.

Riaz, Tania, and others presented a short play. Again "crossfire" was satirised in the play.

Mahfuz Ahmed and Srabonti were elected as the best TV actor and actress respectively by the TV viewers. Ferdaus and Shabnur were the best film actor and actress, elected by viewers.

The star-studded event ended with the presentation of Amra Korbo Joy by Tokai Nattya Goshti.