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First ever MTV Asia Awards gives homegrown stars the spotlight experience
Pop singer Shaan and playback duo Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik brought home a slice of the action from the first ever MTV Asia awards that took place in Singapore this weekend.
Shaan walked away with the best pop artist award while Udit and Alka bagged the honours of being the favourite artistes in the film category. They won the award for the song Jaane Kyon from Dil Chahta Hai. Winners were chosen from a shortlist of five in each category by 13 million votes from across Asia cast by post and over the internet.
Each Asian country had an award but some awards reflected general taste. Britney Spears who recently made her acting debut and Latin sensation Ricky Martin won the favorite female and male artist awards respectively. Westlife won favourite pop act, beating fellow boy groups N’sync and Backstreet Boys. Headbangers voted Bon Jovi the favourite rock act, ahead of legendary Irish group U2 and alternative act Limp Bizkit. Ang Lee’s martial arts stunner Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon was adjudged favourite film. The competition included the animated hit Shrek and chick flick Charlie’s Angels.
Award winning Thailand boy band Pru stressed the need for Asian artists not to copycat the west blindly. Singer Regine Velasquez was voted the Philippines’ favourite music artist, while Indonesia picked five-man band PADI as their choice and Malaysia chose singer Siti Nurhaliza. Famous personalities in attendance included Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actress Zhang Ziyi, fashion designer Donatella Versace who also won an award and Japanese pop superstar Ayumi Hamasaki. Hong Kong martial arts star Jackie Chan (Rush Hour) who won the inspiration award was conspicous by his absence.
Malaysian rap group Too Phat kicked off the festivities with a pre-show performance to entertain the fans waiting for the stars to walk down the red carpet.
Complete list of winners
1.Female Artist: Britney Spears
2. Male Artist: Ricky Martin
3. Rock Act: Bon Jovi
4. Pop Act: Westlife
5. Video: The Call – The Backstreet Boys
6. Breakthrough Artist: Linkin Park
7. Film: Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon
8. Fashion Designer: Donatella Versace
Country wise breakup of awards
1. Malaysia: Siti Nurhaliza
2. Thailand: Pru
3. Indonesia: PADI
4. Singapore: Stefanie Sun
5. Philippines: Regine Velasquez
6. Korea: Kang Ta
7. China: Na Ying
8. Taiwan: Zhang Hui Mei
9. Hong Kong: Sammi Cheng
10. India: Favourite Artist Pop- Shaan
11. India: Favourite Artist Film – Jaane Kyon from the movie Dil Chahta Hai
Among the special honours conferred on the occasion were an Inspiration Award for Jackie Chan and the Most Influential Japanese Artist In Asia for Ayumi Hamasaki.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
