Reigning southern stars

South Indian cinema shone in Sharjah, as stars from the Tamil, Telegu, Malayam and Kannada film industries celebrated alongside thousands of fans.

From left Diganth, Rana and Amy Jackson at the Siima awards in Sharjah. Picture courtesy Siima

Sharjah was cinema central over the weekend as stars from Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films and their fans converged on the Expo Centre for the South Indian International Movie Awards. It was the second year for the two-day event, which was previously held in Dubai, with Friday night’s awards ceremony hosted by Shriya Saran, Sonu Sood, Arya and Rana Daggubati. Among the highlights:

• In an indication of the growing influence of the South Indian film audience, Shahid Kapoor turned up to support the awards and promote his own forthcoming Bollywood film, Phata Poster Nikla Hero.

• Shruti Hassan won the Best Actress award in the Telugu category for Gabbar Singh, a remake of the 2010 Salman Khan starrer Dabangg. Hassan credited her parents for her success while accepting the award, particularly her father Kamal Hassan. Later she performed a tribute to the revered film actor, screenwriter, songwriter and singer, who started his film career as a child artist in the late 1950s and is still active, both on and off screen.

• Shriya Saran’s tribute to the Indian film legend Sridevi was a show stealer. The actress started working in the South Indian film industry as a child in the 1960s and made her mark in Bollywood with the 1975 film Julie. Sridevi then went on to become one of Indian cinema’s most popular actresses. “I am a huge fan of Sridevi ji,” said Saran on the red carpet. “I am extremely excited about performing to her songs tonight in front of her, but I’m also a little nervous.” Meanwhile, Sridevi – who looked stunning in a red sari and a beaded, sleeveless blouse – and husband Boney Kapoor served as presenters.

• Last year’s viral music-video sensation Dhanush of Why This Kolaveri Di fame won Best Actor for the Tamil romantic-drama 3, which was directed by his wife Aishwarya Dhanush, the daughter of the Tamil matinee idol Rajinikanth. While accepting the award, Dhanush acknowledged his father-in-law as an inspiration both for himself and his wife.

• The superstar Mohanlal took home the Best Actor Award in the Malayalam category for Spirit. After starting his career in 1978, Mohanlal has gone on to act in more than 300 Malayalam productions as well as in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films. He has also loaned his voice to the soundtrack of 25 films, producing or coproducing another 35. In a humble acceptance speech, Mohanlal told his fans he owed his success to their love and support.

• The lifetime achievement awards went to the film actress Sowcar Janaki – who started out as a radio performer at the age of 11 and went on to act in more than 385 Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam films – and the playback singer K J Yesudas who is famed for recording more than 50,000 songs in a five-decade career that spanned not just Indian regional languages but also Malay, Russian, Arabic, Latin and English.

And the winners are...

The list of winners in the 2013 South Indian International Movie Awards, held at Sharjah’s Expo Centre:

In Tamil cinema: · 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 cinema:

· 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)

Body-Byline: · 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 cinema:

· 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 cinema:

· 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 Faasil (Diamond Necklace)

· Best Director: Lal Jose (Ayalum Njanum Thammil)

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