IIFA Utsavam: Aishwarya, Mani Ratnam big winners

 

 

AISHWARYA Rai Bachchan, Mani Ratnam, AR Rahman, Nani, andMrunalThakurwere the top winners at the IIFA Utsavam, which marked the beginning of the three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2024. IIFA Utsavam, which was held on Friday, celebrated talent across all four South film industries—Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Each film industry felicitated winners in the categories of best picture, direction, performance in a leading role (male and female), performanceina supportingRole (maleand female),performance in a negative role, musicdirection,lyrics, and playback singer (male and female). In Tamil cinema, actioncomedy“Jailer”, fronted by superstar Rajinikanth, was announcedas thebest picture (Tamil).Aishwaryawas named the best leading actor (female) in “Ponniyin Selvan: II”,withitsmakerManiRatnam beingadjudgedin thedirection category.

 

Vikram and Jayaram Raviweredeclared the best actor (male) and supporting roles (male), respectively. For his work on “Ponniyin Selvan: II”, AR Rahman won the trophy for best music direction alongside singers Haricharan and Shakthisree Gopalan in both best playback singer categories. Sahasra Shre won best actor in a supporting role (female) for Siddharth’s “Chithha”, whereas SJSuryah won the awardin the bestnegative performancecategory forhiswork in “Mark Antony”. Super Subu bagged the award for lyrics in the song “Hukum - Thalaivar Alappara” from “Jailer”. In Telugu cinema, action thriller“Dasara”toppedthelist with a win in the best picture category. Its lead star Nani walkedawaywith thebestleadingrole (male)awardandShine Tom Chacko winning in the best negative performer category for the role in the film. AnilRavipudiwon thedirection award for “Bhagavanth Kesari” and Mrunal Thakur turned the best leading actor (female) for “Hi Nanna”.