BY MAHAK DAGAR, ADDITIONAL INFO ANI
COVER/IMAGES COURTESY: IIFA
IIFA Utsavam ignited Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with an electrifying fusion of music, glamour and star power on 27th September, setting the tone for the rest of the IIFA weekend. This unforgettable night celebrated the crème de la crème of South Indian cinema.
IIFA Utsavam was nothing short of spectacular, bringing together the industry’s finest talents for a truly unforgettable celebration.
The evening witnessed power-packed performances by Prabhu Deva, Regina Cassandra, Rockstar DSP, Shane Nigam, Aradhanaa, Malashree, Pragya Jaiswal and Raashii Khanna.
In addition to these breath-taking performances, IIFA Utsavam also paid homage to the trailblazers of Indian cinema. The highlight of the night was the announcement of the winners.
Actor Nani won the Best Actor Award (Telugu) for his powerful performance in Dasara. His role in the film has earned him high praise, making this win well-deserved.
Celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratnam won the Best Director Award (Tamil) for Ponniyin Selvan: II. His work on the historical epic has been praised by both critics and fans for its storytelling and stunning visuals.
Megastar Chiranjeevi was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award at IIFA Utsavam ‘24.
Another major moment was when Samantha Prabhu was awarded the prestigious ‘Woman of the Year in Indian Cinema’ at the IIFA Utsavam ‘24.
The night was filled with glamour, with stars like Mani Ratnam, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna, A R Rahman, Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh Daggubati attending. Bollywood celebrities Shahid Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Kriti Sanon, Karan Johar, Aishwarya Rai, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi also graced the event.
Winners For IIFA Utsavam 2024
Best Picture (Tamil):
Jailer
Best Actor (Telugu):
Nani (Dasara)
Best Actor (Tamil):
Vikram (Ponniyin Selvan: II)
Best Actress (Tamil):
Aishwarya Rai (Ponniyin Selvan: II)
Best Director (Tamil):
Mani Ratnam (Ponniyin Selvan: II)
Best Music Direction (Tamil):
AR Rahman(Ponniyin Selvan: II)
Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema:
Chiranjeevi
Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema:
Priyadarshan
Woman of the Year in Indian Cinema:
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Best Performance in a Negative Role (Tamil):
SJ Suryah (Mark Antony)
Best Performance in a Negative Role (Telugu):
Shine Tom Chacko (Dasara)
Best Performance in a Negative Role (Malayalam):
Arjun Radhakrishnan (Kannur Squad)
Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Male – Tamil):
Jayaram (Ponniyin Selvan: II)
Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Female – Tamil):
Sahasra Shree (Chithha)
Golden Legacy Award:
Nandamuri Balakrishna
Outstanding Excellence in Kannada cinema:
Rishab Shetty
Best Debut (Female – Kannada):
Aradhana Ram (Kaatera)