Udhayanidhi Stalin presents awards to cine artists; says awards were chosen by a Committee

Music director A.R. Rahman, actors Karthi, Dhanush, R. Parthiban, Surya, Vikram Prabhu, and Sai Pallavi, among other actors and artistes, received various awards instituted by the Tamil Nadu government in Chennai on Friday.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin handed over cinema awards for the years between 2016 and 2022, small screen awards for the years between 2014 and 2022, and the Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R Film and Television Institute Awards for documentaries for the academic years between 2015-16 and 2021-22 (except 2018-19).

Referring to criticism soon after the awards were announced last month, Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin said these awards were not announced for many years together and soon after assuming office, the Chief Minister said these awards should be announced soon. “The Chief Minister announced the constitution of a selection committee headed by retired judge Justice K.B.K. Vasuki. Only based on the recommendations of that committee, these awards are being given. So, it was entirely on a ‘credit’ basis that the awards are given.”

The State government named Tamil films Maanagaram, Aram, Pariyerum Perumal, Asuran, Koozhangal, Jai Bhim, and Gargi for the first prize under the best film categories between the years 2016 and 2022. Cine directors Lokesh Kanagaraj (Maanagaram), Pushkar-Gayathri (Vikram Vedha), Mari Selvaraj (Pariyerum Perumal), R. Parthiban (Otha Seruppu-Size 7), Sudha Kongara (Soorarai Pottru), T.J. Gnanavel (Jai Bhim), and Gautham Ramachandran (Gargi) were named for the best director awards for these years.

For the small screen, Azhagi, Romapuri Pandian, Ramanujar, Nandhini, Poove Poochoodava, Sembaruthi, Raasathi, Sundari and Ethir Neechal were named for the first prize in the TV serial category for the years between 2014 and 2022. P. Ram Kumar (Sheeps Vanished in the Herd), S. Kannan (Neeyum Bommai Naanum Bommai), A.K. Kranthi (Adharma), S. Varun Subbiah (Karai), S. Karunakaran (Wine Shop), R. Giridharan (Madras) were chosen for the Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R Film and Television Institute Awards.