Web Desk: Pakistani rapper Sid Mr has questioned the absence of YouTuber Rajab Butt from the nomination list for the 2026 Sunday Special Icon Awards, arguing that the digital creator’s online popularity and consistent YouTube performance warranted recognition.
The comments emerged after organisers unveiled the nominations for the annual awards, prompting discussion on social media over the selection process for digital content creators.
In a public statement, Sid Mr said Rajab Butt’s substantial audience and recurring presence among YouTube’s top-trending creators made him a strong contender for an award nomination.
The rapper’s remarks quickly gained traction online, with supporters of the YouTuber debating whether digital influence and audience engagement had been adequately reflected in this year’s nominations.
Neither the award organisers nor Rajab Butt had publicly responded to the comments at the time of filing.
The nominations for the 2026 Sunday Special Icon Awards, associated with the Kya Drama Hai and Sunday Times platform, were announced on July 31. Public voting is now underway through the organisers’ official website across television, drama and digital entertainment categories.
The annual awards recognise achievements in acting, directing, drama productions and digital media, with viewers deciding winners in several categories through online voting.
Among the headline categories, Best Actress nominees include Anmol Baloch for Iqtidar, Dananeer Mobeen for Meem Se Mohabbat, Mahira Khan for Zar-e-Taqseem, Saba Qamar for Case No. 9, Sehar Khan for Jinki Shadi Unki Shadi and Yumna Zaidi for Ker-e-Jaan.
The Play of the Year category features Case No. 9, Meem Se Mohabbat, Iqtidar, Zar-e-Taqseem, Parwarish, Ker-e-Jaan, Faraar and Sher.
Meanwhile, contenders for Best Director include Syed Wajahat Hussain and the production team behind Case No. 9, Ali Hasan for Meem Se Mohabbat, and Saqib Khan for Ker-e-Jaan.
The debate surrounding Rajab Butt’s exclusion has reignited conversations about how digital creators are evaluated alongside television personalities at mainstream entertainment awards.
As online voting continues, discussion over the nominations is expected to remain active, particularly among fans advocating broader recognition for creators with significant digital audiences.
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