The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday, March 5, announced the State Film Awards for the year 2015 highlighting the talents and the achievements in cinema that year. Scheduled to take place at the TN Rajarathinam Kalai Arangam, Chennai, on March 6, the Minister for Information and Publicity, M. P. Saminathan will be gracing the awards ceremony. Launched in 1967, the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards were brought to a halt in 2008 for a brief period before the state government reinstated them in 2017 recognizing the films made between 2009-2014.
Among the winners, director Mohan Raja's Thani Oruvan starring Jayam Ravi, Arvind Swami, and Nayanthara in the lead roles won a total of six accolades, including the top honors under the Best Film category. R. Madhavan and Jyotika secured the Best Actor and Best Actress awards for their exceptional performances in Irudhi Suttru and 36 Vayathinile, respectively. Arvind Swamy's powerful portrayal as the antagonist in Thani Oruvan won him the Best Villain award, while filmmaker Sudha Kongara emerged triumphant for her directorial brilliance in Irudhi Suttru.
The Tamil Nadu State Film Awards span across various categories putting the spotlight on the performances and skills of actors, actresses, technicians, and artistes who have contributed to Tamil cinema over the years. Below is the list of all the winners for the awards in 2015:
Best Film: First Prize – Thani Oruvan, Second Prize – Pasanga 2, Third Prize – Prabha, Special Prize – Irudhi Suttru
Best Film About Women Empowerment: Special Prize – 36 Vayathinile
Best Actor – R Madhavan (Irudhi Suttru)
Best Actress – Jyotika (36 Vayathinile)
Best Actor (Special Prize) – Gautham Karthik (Vai Raja Vai)
Best Actress (Special Prize) – Ritika Singh (Irudhi Suttru)
Best Villain – Aravind Swamy (Thani Oruvan)
Best Comedy Actor – Singampuli (Anjukku Onnu)
Best Comedy Actress – Devadarshini (Thiruttu Kalyanam, 36 Vayathinile)
Best Supporting Actor – Thalaivasal Vijay (Apoorva Mahaan)
Best Supporting Actress – Gautami (Papanasam)
Best Director – Sudha Kongara (Irudhi Suttru)
Best Story Writer – Mohan Raja (Thani Oruvan)
Best Dialogue Writer – R Saravanan (Kathukkutty)
Best Music Director – Ghibran (Uttama Villain, Papanasam)
Best lyricist – Vivek (36 Vayathinile)
Best Playback Singer (Male) – Gana Bala (Vai Raja Vai)
Best Playback Singer (Female) – Kalpana Raghavendar (36 Vayathinile)
Best Cinematographer – Ramji (Thani Oruvan)
Best Sound Designer – AL Thukaram, J Maheshwaran (Thakka Thakka)
Best Editor – Gopi Krishna (Thani Oruvan)
Best Art Director – Prabhaharan (Pasanga 2)
Best Stunt Coordinator – T Ramesh (Uttama Villain)
Best Choreographer – Brindha (Thani Oruvan)
Best Makeup – Sabari Girishan (36 Vayathinile, Irudhi Suttru)
Best Costume Designer – Vasuki Bhaskar (Maya)
Best Child Artist – Master Nishesh, Baby Vaishnavi (Pasanga 2)
Best Dubbing Artist (Male) – Gautham Kumar (36 Vayathinile)
Best Dubbing Artist (Female) – R Uma Maheshwari (Irudhi Suttru)