SINGAPORE – Mental-illness themed drama Bingit swept seven awards at Saturday night’s Pesta Perdana, the awards show held every two years to honour the best in local Malay television.

Bingit Sr 2 took Best Drama Series, Best Drama Directing, Best Drama Writing and Best Drama Editing, as well as the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Special award, which went to Mastura Ahmad. Bingit Sr 1 was honoured with Best Theme Song and Best Opening Title Design.

That said, it was the drama Danny that produced two big winners, yielding Elfaeza Ul Haq the Best Actress award and Malaysian actor Sharnaaz Ahmad the Best Actor prize. Sharnaaz was not present to receive his trophy, but a shiny-eyed Elfaeza was more than happy to celebrate her first win for her first nomination.

“I came here (tonight) with my parents and younger brother and I told them, ‘Just relax. Don’t expect anything because I’m not going to win’,” she recounted backstage after the event. When her name was announced, it was an emotional moment. “I’ve been doing this, going abroad, for them, to make them proud. And when I saw my dad’s face – that was priceless. That meant a lot,” she said, the words catching in her throat. “Like I said on stage, I started out here,” said the actress, who is now based in Kuala Lumpur. “The first time I set foot on that same stage was 12 years ago, and now, after 12 years, this is my first nomination and my first award, so I’m really, really grateful.”

Other big winners were Farhana M Noor and Zaidi Ibrahim, who both went home with a trophy in each hand. Zaidi was named Best Lead Actor in a Drama Special award for his work in Raya Bersama and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Special for his work in Pesan Ayah. Farhana took Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Belah Hati, and also the Most Promising Actor award.

“I never expected to win anything – I was just happy that I was invited to this event and nominated. But to win two awards – I’m just mindblown,” said Farhana, radiant in an emerald dress. “I guess this is one of those memories that I will always remember for the rest of my life – along with the memory of my wedding day, which is not going to happen too soon!”

Over in the Most Popular Male Personality category, newcomer Imam Shah beat hot favourite Syarif to the award, raising some surprised eyebrows, including his own. “I’m shocked right now. I have wet palms,” Imam said. “Among the five nominees, I’m the newest, and last year was my first year active in the industry. To be nominated was already a big thing. So, being here right now, I’m just speechless. I’m really grateful.”

The winner of the Most Popular Female Personality category was no surprise, though, as Nurul Aini took home her fourth award. “I thought that maybe this time, the winner would be a younger personality, because those times that I won, I was much younger,” Nurul said, laughing. But it seems that being established enough to branch out into other things does a lot for one’s popularity. The actress, who also owns a café and an online clothing store, said: “It helps that I do business because even when I’m not on TV, people know that I’m still around.” But she doesn’t plan to rest on her laurels. “I think every award that I get is a responsibility to make sure I do better and I don’t slack,” she said. “I have to make sure that I up my game and keep the standard.”

The night’s other winners included Best Supporting Drama Actor Nick Mikhail (Kasih Berbisik), Best Comedy Actor Khairudin Samsudin (Sinar Lebaran 2014) and Best Variety Host Khairudin Saharom (Sinaran Hati 2013), who also hosted the event along with Huda Ali. And music show Viva Elektra took three awards including Best Variety Special, Best Variety Directing and Best Variety Writing.

In conjunction with SG50, this year’s Pesta Perdana, the 13th awards ceremony, celebrated Malay TV’s 50 years of history and had a “1950’s glamour” theme. In addition, a special lifetime achievement award was conferred on Ponisah Bachik for her contributions to the industry.

Catch the encore telecast of Pesta Perdana 13 on May 1 at 1.30pm on MediaCorp TV Suria.