South Indian film fever grips Sharjah

It was a celebration of all things south Indian at the second South Indian International Movie Awards (Siima) over the weekend at the Sharjah Expo Centre.

And by south we mean Kolaveri Di singer Dhanush and Bollywood star of south Indian origin Sridevi. Clearly the crowd favourites, their appearances on stage were greeted by thunderous clapping, whistles and cat-calls. Almost every twenty-something heroine who walked home with a trophy thanked Sridevi for being their ultimate matinee idol.

“This is an unforgettable moment for me. Imagine I am getting the award from Sridevi ma’am, whom I grew up watching,” gushed Amala Paul, who won the Best Actor Popular for her journalist act in Malayalam film Run Baby Run. Her thoughts were echoed by Hansika Motwane and Priyamani, who all walked home with Best Actress trophies for their respective languages.

The star-studded ceremony brought together stars from four south Indian languages including Kannada (spoken in Karnataka state), Telugu (in Andhra Pradesh), Tamil (Tamil Nadu) and Malayalam (Kerala) under one roof.

“You are the reason why we are in the movie business today. We admire you,” said Kajjal Agarwal as she took home an award for Best Actor (critics) for her Tamil hit Thuppaki.

Actress Shreya Saran, who was also one of the hosts of the evening, even put together a dazzling song and dance tribute as an ode to Sridevi. Against the backdrop of a giant placard that read out Sridevi’s name, Saran, clad in a red flamenco skirt, danced to the legendary actress’ biggest hits including Kaante Nahi Kathe from Mr India and the Telugu version of the song Dhak Dhak.

“I hope Sridevi ma’am likes my tribute. I have worked very hard because I want to show how much she means to all of us,” said Saran, clad in a cream Tarun Tahiliani ensemble, on the red carpet earlier in the evening.

For Dhanush, it was the unity among Kannada stars that moved him. At singer Usha Uthup’s request, actor Shivrajkumar — son of the late legendary actor Rajkumar, sportingly joined her on stage and danced his heart out.

“Siima has brought together actors from various languages. To see their unity as they danced together on stage moved me,” said Dhanush in his acceptance speech after receiving the Best Actor Popular (Tamil) for his complex, mentally-disturbed role in 3.

“I have always believed that actors are like clay. So I thank my director for moulding me so well. To know that I am receiving an award on the same platform as actors Vijay, Shivrajkumar and Mohanlal makes me feel incredibly special,” added the actor, blowing a kiss to the public.

While the evening saw many absentees including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, Upendra and Fahadh Faazil, it was endearing to hear host Rana Daggubatti read out a personalised message from actor Malayalam superstar Mohanlal who couldn’t attend due to “health reasons”.

“I have been advised to take strict bed rest for two weeks. UAE is a second home to me and I thank my fans and Siima for this honour,” read the host Duggabatti from a piece of paper.

Mohanlal won the Best Actor (popular, Malayalam) for his reformed alcoholic act in the blockbuster Spirit.

Like any fledgling awards ceremony, Siima 2013 came with its share of goof-ups and technical glitches. Hosts Daggubatti, Arya and Saran forgot the cardinal rule of speaking into the microphones while compering the show. Their voices barely carried through to the audience and therefore most of their jokes fell flat.

They may have kicked off the show by a swearing-in ceremony that said they would mercilessly poke fun at the stars, but actor Dhanush wasn’t impressed. When Daggubatti playfully tried to present a fake award to the singer-actor by handing over a tender coconut on a tray, Dhanush looked on stone-faced. It didn’t help that the anchors accidently spilled the coconut water onto Dhanush’s lap.

Malayalam comedian Suraj Venjaramood, who won the Best Comedian for Mr Marumakan, said he felt a mixture of happiness and sadness.

“I am happy that I received the trophy tonight but I am sad that they showed the wrong visual when announcing my name,” said Venjaramood. He then went on a long tirade flouting the 30-second-only accept speech limit.

But such awkward moments were soon forgotten as young stars such as Shruti Haasan and Reema Kallingal took to the stage to display their dancing skills.

Bollywood star power came in the form of Shahid Kapoor, Illean D Cruz and Sohail Khan.

“Hello Sharjah. It’s my first time at a South Indian awards night and I am loving it,” said Kapoor, who treated his fans to some fantastic dance moves.

The spotlight was also trained on legendary actress Sowcar Janaki who received the lifetime achievement honour.

“Cinema brings together people from all walks of life. It connects everybody. It’s an art in motion,” said Janaki, who has acted in over 350 south Indian language films. Singer KJ Yesudas, who was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement award, and actress Kavya Madhavan were honoured for their body of work.

“I have been in this industry for ten years and this award is very special because it’s a token of love and appreciation from my fans,” said Madhavan. The actress who has given us blockbusters including Meesha Madhavan and Classmates said award nights validate an actor’s efforts.

“I want to act in good films and take on challenging roles. I am sure every actor attending this awards ceremony want to do work that do them proud. This night will be remembered for long.”

Who won what?

In Tamil:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Madhavan (Vettai)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Saranya Ponvannan (Neerparavai)

Best Actor in a Negative Role: Vidyut Jamwal (Thuppakki)

Best Comedian: Thambi Ramaiah (Kumki)

Best Actress: Hansika Motwani (Oru Kal Oru Kannadi)

Best Actress (Critics): Kajal Aggarwal (Thuppakki)

Best Actor: Dhanush (3)

Best Actor (Critics): Vijay Sethupathy (Pizza)

Best Director: Balaji Sakthivel (Vazhakkai Enn 18/9)

Best Film: Kumki (Thirrupathy Bros/Subhash Chandra Bose & Linguswamy)

In Telugu:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Rajendra Prasad (Julai)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Saloni Aswani (Bodyguard)

Best Actor in a Negative Role: Sudeep (Eega)

Best Comedian: Sreenu – Prabhas Sreenu (Gabbar Singh)

Best Actress: Sruthi Hassan (Gabbar Singh)

Best Actress (Critics): Nayanatara (Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum)

Best Actor: Pawan Kalyan (Gabbar Singh)

Best Actor (Critics): Rana (Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum)

Best Director: Harish Shankar (Gabbar Singh)

Best Film: Eega — Karrapati Ranganatha Sai/ Suresh Productions, Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram & Mukuta Graphics

In Kannada:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Ranagayana Raghu (Romeo)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Nidhi Subbaiah (Anna Bond)

Best Actor in a Negative Role: Pooja Gandhi (Dandupalya)

Best Comedian: Sadhu Kokila (Yaare Koogadali)

Best Actress: Priyamani (Charulatha)

Best Actress (Critics): Ragini Dwivedi (Shiva)

Best Actor: Shivarajkumar (Shiva)

Best Actor (Critics): Upendra (Katariveera Surasaundarangi

Best Director: A P Arjun (Addhoori)

Best Film: Katariveera Surasundarangi — Muniratna (Vrishabhadri Productions)

In Malayalam:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Nandu (Spirit)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Swetha Menon (Ozhimuri)

Best Actor in a Negative Role: Pratap Pothen (22 Female Kottayam)

Best Comedian: Suraj Venjaramood (Mr Marumakan)

Best Actress: Amala Paul (Run Baby Run)

Best Actress (Critics): Rima Kallingal (22 Female Kottayam)

Best Actor: Mohanlal (Spirit)

Best Actor (Critics): Fahadh Faazil (Diamond Necklace)

Best Director: Lal Jose (Ayalum Njanum Thammil)

Best Film: Ustad Hotel (Listin Stephen, Magic Frames)