Awards and accolades all the way

Seven Tamil films bagged most of the Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards at a recent function

Photo: R. Shivaji Rao
MOMENT OF PRIDEDirector Maniratnam receiving the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award from Director K. Balachandar at the second annual Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards 2007

“Paruthiveeran” and “Polladhavan” bagged four jury awards each (including Best Film and Best Director respectively) as “Pokkiri” and “Sivaji” shared honours in the popular category, winning four statuettes each as well. With “Chennai 28”, “Mozhi”, “Kattrudhu Tamizh” winning two pieces each, 20 out of the 30 Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards were clearly dominated by these seven films.

Satyaraj was adjudged the best actor for “Onbathu Rooba Nottu”, Superstar Rajnikant was voted by fans as their favourite Hero and the industry awarded the Best Entertainer Award to Vijay. Karthi and Anjali won the best debut actor awards for “Paruthiveeran” and “Kattradhu Tamil”. Priyamani was adjudged Best Actress and Nayanthara was voted Favourite Actress.

All of this took over five hours to unfold as one man decided to make it an enduring experience for the audience. When Yuhi Sethu announced “I am back,” little did we know what we were in for. Clearly lacking in brevity and wit, Sethu decided to pun-ish us with his brand of dry humour that was received with an appropriately dry response from the crowd.

“Cinema was moving closer to realism as news was becoming larger than life,” he observed on behalf of the jury that included Bhagyaraj, Madhan, Priyadarshan, Lizzy and Yuhi Sethu himself.

“Vijay is regarded as one of the smartest Tamil language channels,” said Ajay Vidyasagar, president — Content, STAR TV, recalling how “Kathai Illai Nijam” was the first live reality show in Tamil ever and now Jodi No. 1 rated as highest viewed non-fiction show ever. He said that STAR’s association with the Tamil film industry goes back to Channel V’s Quick Gun Murugan ads made in 1996 that popularised the catchphrase: Mind it, today used by the Chennai Super Kings team mascot Dhoni in the latest Pepsi commercial.

The emotional highpoint of the event was when a frail Film News ‘Anandan’ was honoured for his contribution to Tamil Cinema by Manorama who called him the ‘Chitraguptan’ of Tamil Cinema. Later in the evening, K. Balachander gave away the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan award for excellence to Mani Ratnam, who said it was honour to get the Sivaji award and wished he had the opportunity to have worked with the veteran. And, A.R.Rahman said, “Ella Pugazhum Iraivanukke.”

Among the acceptance speeches, the most sentimental were by the directors Vetrimaran and Venkat Prabhu, the most unassuming speeches were by Prakash Raj and Prabhu Deva (Prakash Raj said other people from his team probably did a better job and a visibly thrilled Prabhu Deva said how he didn’t expect this as he admired all filmmakers nominated, including Vishnuvardhan for “Billa”) and the actors thanked the directors (Satyaraj gave Thankar Bachan all credit, Karthi did a crowd-pleaser saying a couple of lines from the movie before thanking Ameer and Superstar in a video-recorded acceptance speech held Shankar responsible for the success of Sivaji).

The Best singers Neha Bhasin (who said she it was her first award ever) and Krish performed, the king of bling BlaaZe did a hip-hop act and there were item numbers by Kamna, Samiksha, Rahasya and Sada who were accompanied by John Britto’s energetic bunch of dancers.

Overall, it’s a show best seen on TV where you have the option of changing channels to escape Yuhi’s longish academic preludes to each of the thirty categories.

* * *

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…

Eva Best Actor – Female Debut: Anjali, “Kattradhu Tamizh”

Best New Actor – Male Debut: Karthi, “Paruthiveeran”

Best Film: “Paruthiveeran”

Best Director: Vetrimaran, “Polladhavan”

Hitachi Best Actor – Male: Sathyaraj, “Onbathu Rooba Nottu”

Best Music Director: A.R.Rahman, “Sivaji”

Favourite Director: Prabhu Deva, “Pokkiri”

Reliance Mobile Favourite Film: “Pokkiri”

Favourite Hero: Rajnikant, “Sivaji”

Entertainer of the Year: Vijay, “Pokkiri”

Chevalier Sivaji Award for Excellence in Cinema: Mani Ratnam

Contribution to Tamil Cinema: Film News Anandan

By SUDHISH KAMATH

Vijay awards presented

Galatta.com [May 5, 2008, 4:08:25 PM]

On May 3, the Jawarharlal Nehru stadium in Chennai witnessed the presentation of the second annual Vijay awards. The most popular persons of Tamil cinema gathered here amidst much glitz and glamour to participate in the event. The winners were selected by counting the votes that the Rasigan Express collected from the public while travelling through the state. So ultimately, the judges of the evening were the movie-loving public who voted for their favourite stars.
Rajinikanth won the award for the ‘Favourite Hero’ for Sivaji while the special award called ‘Entertainer of the Year’ went to Ilayathalapathy Vijay for Pokkiri and Azhagiya Tamizh Magan. A.R. Rahman bagged the ‘Best Music Director’ award for his peppy numbers in Sivaji. The prestigious ‘Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan' award for excellence in Tamil Cinema’ was presented to Mani Ratnam, the man who has taken Tamil cinema beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu and overseas. The Award for the ‘Favorite heroine’ was given to the ravishing Nayantara (Billa), the current heart-throb of Tamilnadu .The Best Actor (male) award was given to Sathyaraj for his excellent performance in Onbath Roobai Nottu; the best actress (female) award went to Priyamani for her memorable performance in Paruthi Veeran. Vetrimaran bagged the Best Director award for Polladhavan. ‘Icon of the Year’, decided by the media agencies and advertisers, was given to actor Suriya. Pokkiri was declared as ‘Favourite Film’ and ‘Favourite Director’ was given to Prabhu Deva for the same film.
‘Film News’ Anandan walked away with the award for the ‘Contribution to Tamil Cinema’. ‘Face of the year’ award went to Silambarasan. Paruthiveeran was adjudged the ‘Best Film’. Vadivelu bagged the award for the ‘Best Comedian’ for Marudamalai. Polladhavan took 3 more awards for Cinematography (Velraj) Stunt direction (Rambo Rajkumar) and the Best Villain (Kishore) categories. Best Playback Singer Male award was bagged by Krish for the song 'June Ponal' (Unnalae Unnalae) and the Best Playback Singer Female Award was won by the VIVA fame Neha Bhasin (Song: Pesugiren, Film: Satham Podathey). Venkat Prabhu of Chennai 600028 fame took home the award for 'best find of the year' and the team of the same film won the ‘Best Crew’. Sivaji bagged two more awards -- one for best lyricist (N. Muthukumar ) and the other for best Art Direction for Thota Tharani.

Best Supporting Actor went to Prakashraj (Mozhi) and to Sujatha for her commendable performance in Paruthi Veeran. ‘Best Dialogue Writer’ was given to Viji (Mozhi) and the award for ‘Best choreographer’ was won by Dinesh (Pokkiri - 'Vasantha Mullai'). The award for Best Actor Male in a debut performance was bagged by Karthi (Paruthi Veeran); the award for Best Actor Female in a debut performance was given to Anjali for Kattradhu Thamizh. The Best Editor award was won by Srikar Prasad (Kattradu Thamizh).

In addition to the presentation, the show glittered with sizzling performances by Sada, Ragasiya, Neha and Kamna. The popular rap artiste BLAZE joined in the celebrations with his many foot-tapping numbers.

Style of his own - Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram

PREMA MANMADHAN

In a freewheeling conversation, Vijay explains why he will act in Tamil films only.

Savvy: Vijay has evolved his own signature style that includes emoting, acting and dancing.

His future, should he become a politician, is paved with gold, for Vijay would have perfected the role with panache, in a few years’ time. He will act only in Tamil movies. He speaks only in Tamil for any interview. Why doesn’t he speak in English even in another State like Kerala?

“I don’t know English,” he answers, without batting an eyelid, when he came to Kochi for an award function Sunday last. You would think the 33-year-old actor is just in his early twenties. The ‘boy next door’ image sticks in most of his movies. With a day-old stubble and in casual jeans, Vijay does not look too enthusiastic to field questions. But then, his managers warn you that he is a shy person. But he discussed everything from Tamil cinema to his favourite actors in Indian cinema. Who are his favourite actors? Amitabh Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit!

‘Kaadhalukku Mariyadai,’ directed by Fazil, was his first major hit in 1997. Shalini had played the female lead in this movie. Vijay debuted as hero at age 18 in ‘Naalaya Theerpu.’ He has had his share of hits and flops, but Vijay takes it all in his stride. Some of his movies such as ‘Ghilli’ and ‘Thirupachi’ have been huge box office grossers while ‘Kannukkul Nilavu’ and ‘Aadhi’ bit the dust.

“I usually analyse what went wrong when a film does not do well. I do it myself and don’t take anybody’s help. I have found that people expect me to take roles which have a lot of action and some comedy. That is what they like and those kind of films have clicked,” he says.

Does that mean he will do only one kind of movies? “No, maybe once in two years or so, I will do some other kind of movie for a change, that’s all. But no movies in any other language,” he insists. Why?

“I have a problem following other languages and I don’t like my voice being dubbed,” he explains. But Vijay watches a lot of movies in all kinds of languages.

He would love to act with Mammootty and Mohanlal, but again language is the obstacle, he adds. One of the differences between Tamil and Malayalam movies, he says, is that Malayalam movies are more realistic than Tamil movies.

“It is the percentage really. Tamil films are maybe less than 50 per cent realistic while Malayalam above 50 per cent,” he elaborates. But that is how the audiences in both States want them, he is quick to add. However, some Tamil movies such as ‘Paruthiveeran,’ which was very realistic by Tamil standards did well, Vijay says.

“Tamil film industry is very healthy now, with lots of experimental and other kinds of movies,” he sums up the scene.

Directorial dreams

What about directorial dreams? “No no, I don’t have that mentality, it is not easy,” Vijay feels. Acting under his father’s direction was not easy as one’s parent always wants his son to do the best, but later, he got used to it. Not many actors have the privilege of having as filmy a background as Vijay’s. His father, S.A.Chandrashekharan, is a producer-director and mother, Shobha, a playback singer. Of all her songs, Vijay’s favourite is the one she sang in the movie ‘Sivakasi.’ Vijay has sung many songs for movies though he has had no formal training in music like his mother.

Acting, singing and yes, dancing. Vijay’s signature style, graceful and slow steps, mixed judiciously with fast ones, even got kudos from Prabhudeva.

“My style just developed like that. It was not deliberate. I have had no formal dance training,”

His fans call him ‘Ilayathalapathy’ and even in Kerala, he has a fans’ association which met him at the foyer of the hotel he stayed in at Kochi. The Ilayathalapathy surely has his act together, and is a ‘stylemannan’ in his own right too.

விஜய், நயனதாராவுக்கு விருது

மலையாளத்து மாத்ருபூமி பத்திரிகை சார்பில் நடிகர் விஜய், நடிகை நயனதாரா உள்ளிட்டோருக்கு கேரளாவில் நடந்த விழாவில் விருது வழங்கப்பட்டது.

மாத்ருபூமி திரைப்பட விருதுகள் சமீபத்தில் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டன. இதில், இந்த ஆண்டு முதல் முறையாக தமிழுக்கும் விருதுகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டன. போக்கிரி படத்தில் சிறப்பாக நடித்ததற்காக விஜய்க்கு சிறந்த நடிகர் விருதும், ஈ படத்தில் சிறப்பாக நடித்ததற்காக நயனதாராவுக்கு சிறந்த நடிகை விருதும் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. போக்கிரி பட இயக்குநர் பிரபுதேவாவுக்கு சிறந்த இயக்குநருக்கான விருது கிடைத்தது.

விருது வழங்கும் விழா கொச்சியில் உள்ள திறந்தவெளி மெரைன் டிரைவ் அரங்கில் நடந்தது. 30 ஆயிரத்திற்கும் மேற்பட்டோர் திரண்டு வந்திருந்தனர். இவர்களில் பெரும்பாலானோர் விஜய்யைப் பார்க்க திரண்டிருந்தனர் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

விஜய் நிகழ்ச்சியில் கலந்து கொள்ள வந்தபோது கூட்டம் அவரைப் பார்க்க முண்டியடித்தது. நிகழ்ச்சியில் பங்கேற்ற விஜய், குத்து விளக்கேற்றி நிகழ்ச்சியைத் தொடங்கி வைத்தார்.

இந்த நிகழ்ச்சியில் மாத்ருபூமி இதழின் நிர்வாக இயக்குநரும், ஜனதாதள தலைவருமான வீரேந்திர குமார், ஆசிரியர் பி.வி.சந்திரன், மலையாள சூப்பர் ஸ்டார்கள் மம்முட்டி, மோகன்லால் உள்ளிட்டோரும் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.

மோகன்லால், விஜய்க்கு விருது வழங்கினார். அப்போது கூட்டத்தினர் பெரும் ஆரவாரம் செய்து கைதட்டி மகிழ்ந்தனர். நயனதாராவுக்கு மம்முட்டி விருது வழங்கினார்.

மெரைன் டிரைவ் திறந்த வெளி அரங்கில் இதுவரை இந்த அளவுக்கு கூட்டம் வந்ததில்லை என்று நிகழ்ச்சிக்கு வந்திருந்தவர்கள் கூறிக் கொண்டதைக் கேட்க முடிந்தது.

விஜய்க்கு கேரளாவில் பெருமளவில் ரசிகர்கள் உள்ளனர் என்பதை இந்த கொச்சி நிகழ்ச்சி நிரூபிக்கும் வகையில் அமைந்தது. மேலும், ரஜினி, கமலுக்குப் பிறகு கேரள ரசிகர்களின் இதயங்களில் இடம் பிடித்துள்ள தமிழ் நடிகர் விஜய் என்பதும் நிரூபணமாகியுள்ளது.

Link: thatstamil.com

Vijay, Nayanthara rock Kochi!

It was the mother of all events in Kochi. Tamil superstar Ilayathalapathy Vijay, glamour queen of south India Nayanthara, Malayalam Megastar`s Mammootty and Mohanlal on the same stage receiving the prestigious Mathrubhumi film awards!

The crowd went berserk seeing Vijay, the most popular Tamil actor and the king among non malayalee actors in Kerala, as he lighted the traditional Kuthuvilakku in the presence of `Mathrubhumi` editor P.V Chandran and Managing director and Janatha Dal strongman Veerendra Kumar.

Later old timers were saying that they have never seen such kind of a crowd even for political meetings held at Marine Drive!

The `Mathrubhumi` event managers pulled off a coup when they had Kerala`s mass hero the one and only Mohanlal giving award to the man of the masses Vijay, while the greatest actor in Malayalam cinema, the dashing Mammootty presenting Nayanthara the south Indian glamour queen with her award.

`Mathrubhumi`, a leading Malayalam daily and one of the best known newspapers in the country, had from this year started an award for Tamil films. Nearly 37,000 people turned up at the open air Marine Drive in Kochi, to see mainly Vijay get the best actor and Nayanthara the best actress awards for Pokkiri and E respectively.

Courtesy: Sify.com

போக்கிரிக்கு விருது

விஜய்யின் சூப்பர் ஹிட் படமான போக்கிரிக்கு மலையாளத்து மாத்ருபூமி இதழ் வழங்கும் சிறந்த திரைப்படத்திற்கான விருது கிடைத்துள்ளது.

மாத்ருபூமி இதழும், பி.எஸ்.எஸ். லிமிட்டெட் நிறுவனமும் இணைந்து வழங்கும் திரைப்பட விருதுகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. 2007ம் ஆண்டுக்கான விருதுகளில் விஜய்யின் போக்கிரியும் இடம் பிடித்துள்ளது.

தமிழில் போக்கிரி படம் சிறந்த படமாக தேர்வாகியுள்ளது. அப்படத்தை இயக்கிய பிரபுதேவா சிறந்த இயக்குநராக தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார். ஈ படத்தில் சிறப்பாக நடித்த நயனதாரா சிறந்த நடிகையாக தேர்வு பெற்றுள்ளார்.

போக்கிரி படத்திற்கு ரூ. 1 லட்சம் பரிசும், மற்ற விருதுகளுக்கு ரூ. 50 ஆயிரம் ரொக்கப் பரிசும் வழங்கப்படவுள்ளது.

மாத்ருபூமி குழும நிர்வாக ஆசிரியர் பி.வி.சந்திரன் இந்த விருதுகள் குறித்து அறிவித்தார்.

கொச்சியில் வருகிற 18ம் தேதி நடைபெறும் விழாவின்போது விருதுகள் வழங்கப்படும்.

விஜய் படம் ஒன்றிற்கு கேரளாவில் விருது கிடைத்திருப்பது இதுவே முதல் முறை என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

www.thatstamil. com

Mathrubhumi Film Awards 2007 announced

The Mathrubhumi- P.S.S. Film Awards 2007 have been announced.

Pokkiri has been judged as the best film and its director Prabhudeva as best director.

Nayantara has been selected as best actress for her performance in E and Vijay, the best actor for Pokkiri.

Awards for the best director and actors carry a cash award of Rs.50,000 each and the best film Rs.1 lakh.

The awards will be given on November 18th at Kochi.

CM presents awards to Vijay

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
October 16, 2007

Chief Minister Karunanidi will be presenting the Tamil Nadu state government's film awards for the year 2005 and 2006 at a function to be held at the University centenary hall this evening at 5 P M. Honorable Governor of Tamil Nadu His Excellency Shri Surjit Singh Barnala will be presiding over the function.

Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan will be receiving the best actor awards for the year 2005 and 2006 respectively and will also render congratulatory message on this occasion.

The details of award winners are

For 2005
Best producer Prabhu for the film Chandramukhi
Best actress Jyothika for Chandramukhi
Special awards for actors: Vijay for Thirupachi and Surya for Gajini
Special award for actress – Gopika for Kasthuriman
Best villain- Prakash Raj for many films
Best comedian – Vivek for many films
Best director – Shankar for Anniyan
Best music director – Harris Jeyaraj for Anniyan

For the year 2006
Best producer Shankar for the film Veyil
Best actress Priyamani for Paruthiveeran
Special awards for actors: Karthi for Paruthiveeran and Fakru for Dishyum
Special award for actress – Sandhya for Dishyum
Best villain- Pasupathy for E
Best comedian – Vadivelu for Imsai Arasan
Best director – Thirumurugan for Emmagan
Best music director – Yuvan Shankar Raja for many films

In addition to these awards, other technicians also will be honored for their commendable work in their respective fields. Besides these, special awards in the name of M G R and Sivaji Ganesan will be bestowed upon Ultimate Star Ajith and Cheeyan Vikram.

`Ilayathalapathy' meets CM…

IndiaGlitz
[Monday, October 15, 2007]

He is the man of the masses. He has nearly perfected the art of entertaining people with dialogues, songs & dances, and an equal number of fights.

The openings that his movies take are truly astonishing so it is obvious that he bangs the rewards for his hard work. Yes, as we know this powerful hero of Tamil Nadu is Vijay…!

His main intention being Tamil language ventures, earning him the title of `Ilayathalapathy' is now mentioned in the credits of all his projects.

The actor recently went to our CM Karunanidhi' s home with his father, S. A. Chandrasekar a popular director to thank him for awarding the special best actor award of the year 2005 for the film `Thirupachi' .

Vijay performs predominantly in leading roles in medium-budget films, ranging from romantic comedies and drama to actions. His most popular films include Poove Unakkaga, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Kushi, Gilli and Pokkiri.

Award makes them happy and high

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
September 06, 2007

Tamil Nadu government has announced its awards for excellence in cinema for the years 2005 and 2006 in various categories in a press announcement released today. The award honors full-length Tamil movies and includes various categories namely Actor – Male, Actor – Female, and Technicians.

Besides, the government has also pronounced awards in the category `Kalaithurai Vithagar' for significant contribution for Tamil cinema. Awards for students of Television and Film institute also have been announced.

A panel of judges that included eminent personalities such as Justice Mohan, director S.P. Muthuraman, Sivakumar, Charuhaasan, Deva, and Sripriya scrutinized the movies.

The best movie category award for the year 2005 is shared by Chandramukhi and Gajini followed by Anniyan and Davamai Davamirundu for the next two honors. Superstar Rajinikanth qualified for the best actor in male lead award and Jyothika for the best actor in female lead award both for their respective performances for Chandramukhi. Vijay and Meera Jasmine are conferred with the special jury awards. Harris Jeyaraj won the best music director award for his rendition in movies such as Anniyan and Gajini.

For the year 2006, Veyil bagged the best film award followed by Paruthi Veeran and Thiruttu Payale for the second and third prizes. Kamal haasan and Priya Mani are declared the best actor in male and female lead respectively. Special jury awards are bagged by Karthi, Pakru, and Sandhya. Yuvan Shankar Raja bagged the best music director award.

Significant personalities who won the Kalaithurai Vithagar awards include Ajith Kumar the MGR award, Vikram the Sivaji Ganesan award, Vivek the Kalaivanar award, and Thangar Pachan the Raja sando award.

The awards and cash prizes will be bestowed upon the individuals by Chief Minister Karunanidhi in an event in Chennai hosted by the government soon, the announcement read.

IndiaGlitz
[Friday, September 07, 2007]

The State government has announced its awards for best films and film personalities for the year 2005 and 2006. Check out what the awardees had to say about being selected for the coveted award.

Vijay (Best Actor – special Prize Thirupachi): "I am thrilled to win the recognition of the State government. I dedicate this award to my fans, the cast and crew of Thirupachi, who motivated me and encouraged me to achieve it".

Jyothika (Best Actress Chandramukhi) : "I thank my director P Vasu and 'Super star' Rajnikanth for their support to help me pull off a good performance. At a time when I have given birth to my baby (Diya), the award has come at the right time".

Prabhu (Best Film – Chandramukhi) : "Rajnikanth and P Vasu deserve credit for mega hit of Chandramukhi. Every person in the unit toiled hard to get the basics right in the movie. I thank Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for honouring Chandramukhi with such an award".

Suriya (Best Actor Ghajini): "It was a tough and challenging role. But thanks to the guidance of my director A R Murugadoss it shaped out well. The award has come as a tonic for me. I hope to repeat the feat in coming years".

Priyamani (Best Actress – Paruthiveeran) : "It is a joy to be selected for such rare honour. Director Ameer deserves all credit for helping me clinch this award".

Please call me `Ilayathalapathy`!

By Moviebuzz | Wednesday, 29 August , 2007, 15:35

Vijay loves to be known as Ilayathalapathy Vijay! He told this to his fans at the 125 days celebration of Pokkiri(second run) at Aminjikarai Lakshmi theatre. He said: “ Let everyone call me Dr Vijay but I like my fans to call me Ilayathalapathy”.

He thanked everyone who watched Pokkiri and made it a huge hit. Vijay was in his elements at the function where he mingled with his fans. Tamil Film Producers Council president Rama Narayanan said that the day is not far off when Vijay will go ahead and be the next MGR.

It was also Vijay's first public function after getting a doctorate. It was a unique function as Lakshmi is not a releasing theatre and Pokkiri to run 125 days in second run is just fantastic!

Vijay also told the huge crowd that he had watched Rajnikanth’s Annamalai with friends at Lakshmi years back. And he made their day when he sang the mass number Pokkiri Pongal…!

Vijay prefers Ilaya Thalapathi
Galatta.com
August 29, 2007

Dr. Vijay prefers to be called Ilaya Thalapathi.

Speaking at the 126th day celebration of Pokkiri held at Lakshmi theatre yesterday, Vijay asked his fans to adress him as 'Ilaya Thalapathi' instead of Dr. Vijay, the title conferred on him by the MGR University on 27th August. He thanked everyone who worked for the success of Pokkiri. He also sang 'Aadungada' from Pokkiri, heeding his fans' request.

Producers' Council President Mr. Ramanarayanan remarked that Vijay is falling in line with MGR's style. G. Sekaran, Head, Film Distributors' Association praised Vijay's simplicity.

Ramesh Babu, producer of Pokkiri, Vijay's father-director S.A. Chandrasekar, Lakshmi theatre owner Mr.Srikanth were among the many dignitaries who were at the function.

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
August 29, 2007

Ilayathalapathy Vijay and director Shankar were recently conferred the title of Doctor (honoris causa) by M.G.R.University which has certainly elevated them to different level. With this title coming his way, Vijay joins the bandwagon of illustrious stars who have been bestowed upon such a title.Participating in a filmi function organized by his fans recently, Vijay spoke on the occasion. He said, “It gives me immense pleasure and pride to have been given the Doctor title. However, please do not call me ‘doctor’. It is really intimidating to be addressed as Doctor. Continue to call me as Ilayathalapathy which sounds more like my name”.

Vijay conferred doctorate

Sify.com

Actor Vijay and director Shankar were conferred doctorate at the 16th convocation function of Dr MGR University in Chennai on Aug 27, Monday evening. Vijay was all smiles in his convocation robe, a new dress that he has never worn in any of his films. The actor thanked the university and his fans.
Dr. Shankar and Dr. Vijay Galatta.com August 28, 2007

Director Shankar and actor Vijay were conferred doctorates by Dr. M.G.R. University. At the sixteenth convocation ceremony of the deemed University held yesterday, they were given the honour for their contribution to the field of cinema.

Vijay's family was present at the occasion to share this special moment with him.
Vijay is currently busy with the shooting of Azhagiya Tamil Magan starring Shriya and Namitha. He is also going to start work on Kuruvi with Trisha.

After Sivaji, Shankar will be shooting for the sci-fi Robot with Shah Rukh Khan. He will also reshoot some scenes from Sivaji for the Hindi dubbed version.

Shankar and Vijay conferred doctorates

Galatta.com
August 13, 2007

After Sathyaraj and Deva, it is now the turn of director Shankar and actor Vijay to recieve doctorates.
The two are being conferred with honorary doctorates by Dr. M.G.R. University.

Both these film personalities have established a place for themselves in the world of cinema. Vijay, known for his mass-entertaining films like Sivakasi and Pokkiri, has also contributed to social service activities. His next release will be Azhagiya Tamil Maghan.

Shankar, through his films like Mudhalvan, Anniyan and Sivaji, has addressed social evils like corruption. Shankar is all set to start work on his dream project Robot with Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan.

Doctor title for Vijay
Cinesouth.com
- 13.08.2007

Some time back Kamal got it. Then it was Sathyaraj. Now it is Vijay's turn. A university in Chennai has decided to confer the doctorate title on Vijay.

The Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute in Maduravoyil has been conferring doctorates on persons of merit every year. This year, 3 people have been selected. Two are from the film field. One is actor Vijay and the other is director Shankar.

The University announced that the doctorate is being given to Vijay for his hard work and achieving so much at this young age, and for his immense contribution to the cause of the underprivileged through social welfare activities with support from his fans.

Shankar gets the doctorate for making films comparable to Hollywood.

The doctorates will be conferred on Aug 27 at the University. At this rate, there will be more doctors than artistes in Kodambakkam!

Vijay gets Doctorate

By Moviebuzz | Sunday, 12 August , 2007, 12:07

‘Ilayathalapathy’ Vijay has been conferred a Doctorate by the Chancellor, the Board of Management and the Academic Council of Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute (Dr. M.G.R University). Vijay will be conferred with the Degree of at the ensuing convocation of M.G.R University to be held on 27th August 2007. The noted scientist Padmabushan Dr. Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO will be the Chief Guest at the function. This recognition by M.G.R. University and their Board of Management is to honour Vijay's spectacular achievement in the movie industry and rising to glorious heights at such a young age. The University also strongly feels that Vijay has contributed immensely to the cause of the poor and downtrodden through social welfare activities with support from his beloved fans. In an quick chat to Moviebuzz, the youngest actor in the world ever to be conferred with a Doctorate speaks: What did you feel when you first heard the news? (Laughs) I thought that someone was pulling a fast one on me and told the person to stop joking. Later when the news was confirmed, I felt extremely touched and happy. Why did you feel that someone was joking? See first and foremost, I don’t feel that I have done something great to get a doctorate. What ever little social work and help that I have done to the needy and my fellowmen was out of my sincere passion to help them. And all this getting noticed by the board and conferring a doctorate on me brings joy and great happiness. And when is the function going to be? It will be conferred to me on Monday, August 27. And I am very happy and thrilled that Dr Madhavan Nair one of the finest scientists in India will be the chief guest. If we were to say that it is this humble nature and modesty that makes you different from others...? Smiles