Tamil superstar Rajnikanth and sensational Simran on Friday won the awards for the best actor and actress instituted by the state Government, while the prestigious Nadigar Thilakam Sivaji award went to versatile Kamal Hasan.
Wild cheers rent the evening air of the Valluvar Kottam Hall as Rajni, dressed in his characteristic 'kurta', received the award from Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
Actress Sarika received the award on behalf of her husband Kamal. For Simran, her mother received the award.
Cameras repeatedly flashed, adding to the glitter of the function, every time an awardee sashayed onto the stage.
While his amazing range of roles fetched Kamal the laurel named after thespian Sivaji Ganesan, Rajni was adjudged best actor for his performance in “Padayappa”, which was also recognised as the best film for 1999. Present-day popular hero Vijay was presented the MGR Award.
Mumbai-born glamour star Simran fetched the best actress award for the film “Thullatha Manamum Thullum”, while poet Vairamuthu was presented the best lyricist award.
Maestro A R Rahman and newcomer Bala received the best musician and best director awards respectively. Rahman got recognition for his numbers in the film ''Sangamam'' and Bala for his work in the box-office success ''Sethu''.
Vikram, who played the role of a mentally-retarded man in the film ''Sethu'', and Ramya Krishnan, who essayed the role of an arrogant woman in the Rajni-starrer, ''Padayappa'', received the Best Actor and Best Actress awards in the special category.
Writer-director J Mahendran received the Arignar Anna Award while director Shankar was presented the Raja Sando Award.
The award named after late poet-lyricist Kannadasan was presented to poet Kamakodian, the Thiagaraja Bhagavatar Award to yesteryear actor S S Rajendran and Kalaivanar Award to comedian Kaka Radhakrishnan.
The other award-winners were: Raghuvaran (best villain), Vivek (best comedian), Rajakumaran (best story writer), Shivaram Gandhi (best dialogue writer), T Krishnamurthy (best art director), S Janaki and Srinivas (best singers), Ilavarasu (best cinematographer), M Ravi (best sound recordist), Sai Suresh (best editor), Dalapathi Dinesh (best fight composer), R Lawrance (best dance director), Sundaramurthy (best make up man) and master Vicky (best child artiste).
Ananda Poongatre, was presented a special award for best depiction of women in high esteem.
On behalf of the awardees, Rajnikanth, Kamal Hasan and Vairamuthu replied to the felicitations.
Tamil superstar Rajnikanth and sensational Simran on Friday won the awards for the best actor and actress instituted by the state Government, while the prestigious Nadigar Thilakam Sivaji award went to versatile Kamal Hasan.