Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for 2016-2022 announced: actors Suriya, Dhanush, Nayanthara and more bag top honours
The Tamil Nadu government, on Thursday (January 29, 2026), announced the winners of the State government’s Film Awards for the years 2016 to 2022. The awards honour the best actors, filmmakers, and technicians under 32 different categories.
Actors Vijay Sethupathi (for Puriyatha Puthir) and Keerthy Suresh (Paambhu Sattai); Karthi (Theeran Adhigaram Ondru) and Nayanthara (Aram); Dhanush (Vada Chennai) and Jyothika (Chekka Chivantha Vaanam); R. Parthiban (Oththa Seruppu Size 7) and Manju Warrier (Asuran); Suriya and Aparna Balamurali (both for Soorarai Pottru); Arya (Sarpatta Parambarai) and Lijomol Jose (Jai Bhim); and Vikram Prabhu (Taanakkaran) and Sai Pallavi (Gargi) have been named awardees of the Tamil Nadu government’s best actors awards for the years 2016-2022.
Tamil films Maanagaram, Aram, Pariyerum Perumal, Asuran, Koozhangal, Jai Bhim and Gargi have bagged the first prizes under the ‘Best Film’ category from 2016 to 2022 respectively.
Film directors Lokesh Kanagaraj (Maanagaram), Pushkar-Gayathri (Vikram Vedha), Mari Selvaraj (Pariyerum Perumal), R. Parthiban (Oththa Seruppu Size 7), Sudha Kongara (Soorarai Pottru), T.J. Gnanavel (Jai Bhim), Gautham Ramachandran (Gargi) are set to receive the ‘Best Director’ awards for the seven year period from 2016 to 2022 respectively.
As for the small screen, Azhagi, Romapuri Pandian, Ramanujar, Nandhini, Poove Poochudava, Sembaruthi, Raasathi, Sundari and Ethir Neechal will bag the first prize in the TV serial awards from 2014 to 2022.
Actors Radikaa Sarathkumar (Vani Rani), Vani Bhojan (Deivamagal), Neelima Rani (Thamarai), Sangavi (Thai Veedu), Revathi (Azhagu), Reshma (Poove Poochudava), Shabana Shajahan (Sembaruthi), Gabriella Sellus (Sundari) and Chaitra (Kayal) will receive the best female actor award for the years 2014-2022 respectively.
P. Ram Kumar (Sheep Vanished in the Herd), S. Kannan (Neeyum Bommai Naanum Bommai), A.K. Kranthi (Adharma), S. Varun Subbiah (Karai), S. Karunakaran (Wine Shop), R. Giridharan (Madras) will receive the Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R. Film and Television Institute award for their documentaries between 2015-16 and 2021-22 (except 2018-19).
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will present the awards during an event at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai on February 13.
Winners from Tamil film industry for the year 2016
Best Film – First Prize: Maanagaram
Best Actor: Vijay Sethupathi for Puriyatha Puthir
Best Actress: Keerthy Suresh for Paambu Sattai
Best Supporting Actor: R. Parthiban for Puriyatha Puthir
Best Supporting Actress: Manisha Yadav for Oru Kuppai Kathai
Best Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj for Maanagaram
Best Music Director: Sam C.S. for Puriyatha Puthir
Winners from Tamil film industry for the year 2017
Best Film – First Prize: Aramm
Best Actor: Karthi for Theeran Adhigaram Ondru
Best Actress: Nayanthara for Aramm
Best Supporting Actor: Bose Venkat for Kavan and Theeran Adhigaram Ondru
Best Supporting Actress: Sunu Lakshmi for Aramm
Best Director: Pushkar-Gayathri for Vikram Vedha
Best Music Director: Hip Hop Tamizha for Kavan
Winners from Tamil film industry for the year 2018
Best Film – First Prize: Pariyerum Perumal
Best Actor: Dhanush for Vada Chennai
Best Actress: Jyotika for Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
Best Supporting Actor: Ameer for Vada Chennai
Best Supporting Actress: Viji Chandrasekhar for Kadaikutty Singam
Best Director: Mari Selvaraj for Pariyerum Perumal
Best Music Director: Santhosh Narayanan for Vada Chennai
Winners from Tamil film industry for the year 2019
Best Film – First Prize: Asuran
Best Actor: R Parthiban for Ottha Seruppu Size 7
Best Actress: Manju Warrier for Asuran
Best Supporting Actor: Prakash Raj for Asuran
Best Supporting Actress: Sriranjani for House Owner
Best Director: R. Parthiban for Ottha Seruppu Size 7
Best Music Director: Thaman for Magamuni
Winners from Tamil film industry for the year 2020
Best Film – First Prize: Koozhangal
Best Actor: Suriya for Soorarai Pottru
Best Actress: Aparna Balamurali for Soorarai Pottru
Best Supporting Actor: Karunas for Soorarai Pottru
Best Supporting Actress: Vadivukkarasi for Jananayagam Virpanaikku Alla
Best Director: Sudha Kongara for Soorarari Pottru
Best Music Director: G.V. Prakash Kumar for Soorarari Pottru
Winners from Tamil film industry for the year 2021
Best Film – First Prize: Jai Bhim
Best Actor: Arya for Sarpatta Parambarai
Best Actress: Lijomol Jose for Jai Bhim
Best Supporting Actor: K. Manikandan for Jai Bhim
Best Supporting Actress: Raichal Rebecca for Kadaisi Vivasayi
Best Director: T.J. Gnanavel for Jai Bhim
Best Music Director: Sean Roldan for Jai Bhim
Winners from Tamil film industry for the year 2022
Best Film – First Prize: Gargi
Best Actor: Vikram Prabhu for Taanakkaran
Best Actress: Sai Pallavi for Gargi
Best Supporting Actor: Bose Venkat for Taanakkaran
Best Supporting Actress: Vasundara Kashyap for Vazhga Vivasayi
Best Director: Gautham Ramachandran for Gargi
Best Music Director: A.R. Rahman for Ponniyin Selvan – 1
Published – January 30, 2026 12:18 am IST
