Vivek Harshan (Best Editing for Jigarthanda)
On the award:
It’s great mainly because editors generally never get spoken about. An award like this makes people notice us. This also makes it the fourth time in the last five years that an editor from Tamil cinema has won the award.
What’s next?
My next release is Nanbenda . I’m working on Ponram’s Rajini Murugan starring Sivakarthikeyan, and Rajesh’s VSOP starring Arya. I’ve also signed Dulquer’s next Malayalam film that marks the debut of director Salaam Bukhari.
G. Dhananjayan (Best Writing on Cinema for Pride of Tamil Cinema)
On the award:
It’s very motivating and will make me write more. It is a reminder that good work always gets recognised.
What’s next?
I’m working on a similar book for Malayalam cinema. While it was easy for me to collect trivia about Tamil cinema, it’s different with Malayalam. I have to watch around 270 Malayalam films. Meanwhile, I’ve also been asked to document Marathi cinema by Kiran Shantaram. Though I can’t talk much about it, I’m also working on a book about directors and the journey of making a film.
Bobby Simha (Supporting Actor for Jigarthanda)
On the award:
Karthik (Subbaraj) called to tell me that I’d won it. While I’m delighted, I also realise that this means I have a greater responsibility to do quality films. The award has made Jigarthanda more special than it already is.
What’s next?
I’m working on quite a few films — Urumeen , Paambhu Sattai , Masala Padam , an untitled Tamil remake of Bangalore Days , Vallavanukkum Vallavan , and Karthik Subbaraj’s Iraivi in which I play one of the three leads, along with S. J. Suryah and Vijay Sethupathi. We’ll start shooting in May.
M. Manikandan (Best Children’s Film for Kaaka Muttai)
On the award:
It wasn’t a surprise at all. I knew the film would win it. I’m happier for the kids — Ramesh and Vignesh — who won the Best Child Artist award. I spoke with them — they didn’t seem to understand the importance of the award. It should do wonders for them.
What’s next?
I’ve finished shooting for Kuttramum Dhandanaiyum , a film that’s completely different from Kaaka Muttai .
