Irrudhi Suttru and Theri won big at the second edition of the IIFA Utsavam in Hyderabad, yesterday (March 28).
The year’s highlights – Visaaranai (India’s choice for the Oscars), and strong performances by SJ Suryah (Iraivi), Dinesh, Samuthirakani (Visaaranai), Guru Somasundaram (Joker) – were ignored, while stars in box office favourites like Theri and Irrudhi Suttru were honoured. Actors Ritika Singh, Madhavan were chosen as the Best Actress and Actor respectively while Baby Nainika and director Mahendran were chosen as the Best Child Artiste and Best Villain.
The IIFA Utsavam also chose to ignore Santhosh Narayanan’s work in Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum, Kabali, Darbuka Siva’s Kidaari – all movies that released in 2016, in favour of Anirudh’s work on the BGM for Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015).
The list of nominations was announced mid-March this year, with Venkat Prabhu’s Chennai 600028 II featuring in 11 categories. The list, however, did not find favour with actress/filmmaker Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, who took offence at the board ignoring her critically-acclaimed film, Ammani.
I feel @IIFA or anybody else should do some research before locking nominations & just not depend on PRO & event manager's recommendations!
— Lakshmy Ramakrishnan (@LakshmyRamki) March 17, 2017
Pathetic to know clueless event managers have a say on which film to include in nominations, so much of disrespect!!
— Lakshmy Ramakrishnan (@LakshmyRamki) March 17, 2017
Lakshmy was soon appraised of the facts by the IIFA Utsavam team, prompting another series of tweets.
Appreciate @IIFAUtsavam team 4 taking time to clarify my apprehensions:) #Professionalism. Nominations r voted by industry people cont'd 1/3
— Lakshmy Ramakrishnan (@LakshmyRamki) March 22, 2017
Obviously nobody from industry voted 4 #Ammani, bcas not many saw the film & it is not a commercially successful/ popular film! Cont'd 2/3
— Lakshmy Ramakrishnan (@LakshmyRamki) March 22, 2017
Industry voting 4 films is right thing? @IIFAUtsavam. Popular stars, films & production houses benefit? Critics & public shud nominate?! 3/3
— Lakshmy Ramakrishnan (@LakshmyRamki) March 22, 2017
Award-worthiness aside, it was pretty much a regular star-studded film event. A green carpet was rolled out for the celebrities. Following the obligatory photo-op, the celebrities were treated to performances by actors Jiiva, Raai Laxmi, Kunchacko Boban, Catherine Tresa, and Akshara Haasan. The event was hosted by actors Rana Daggubati, Shiva, Tini Tom and Pearl Maaney.
Via: Twitter
via Twitter
List of winners (Tamil):
Best Director: Atlee for Theri
Best Story Award: Karthick Naren, D16
Best Actor: Madhavan for Irudhi Suttru
Best Actress: Ritika Singh for Irudhi Suttru
Best Supporting Actor: Nagarjuna Akkineni for Thozha
Best Supporting Actress: Baby Nainika for Theri
Best Negative Role: Mahendran for Theri
Best Comedian: RJ Balaji
Best Music Director: AR Rahman for Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada
Best Background Music: Anirudh Ravichander for Naanum Rowdy Dhaan
Best Playback Singer Female: Neeti Mohan for Naanum Rowdy Dhaan
Best Lyricist: Arunraja Kamaraj for Kabali
Also, SP Muthuraman gets Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema
Recommended
List of winners (Malayalam):
Best Actor: Dulquer Salmaan for Charlie
Best Supporting Actress: Aparna Gopinath for Charlie
Best Playback Singer Female: Shreya Jayadeep for Oppam
Best Playback Singer Male: Vijay Yesudas for Maheshinte Prathikaram
Best Lyricist: Santhosh Varma for Charlie
Best Music Director: Gopi Sunder for Charlie
Best Background Music Director: Gopi Sunder for Charlie
The Day 2 event of the IIFA Utsavam will take place today. Actors Raashi Khanna, Pragya Jaiswal, Nikki Galrani, Amyra Dastur, Rachita Ram and Isha Talwar are set to perform this evening, with Rana Daggubati playing host again.
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