Udaya sweeps Pradhana Vizha 2014 awards
SINGAPORE — It is finally Udaya Soundari’s year.
SINGAPORE — It is finally Udaya Soundari’s year.
After going home empty-handed for the past four years, the actress swept three Pradhana Vizha awards at Vasantham’s star-studded annual awards ceremony on Thursday night at the Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore, making her the biggest winner of the night.
The 26-year-old, who was nominated for four awards, took the Best Actress award for her work in Veethi Varai, the Best Host (Info-Ed) award for Rayil Sneham and the Most Popular Female Artiste award, which was determined by audience votes. She conceded the Best Host (Variety) award to Saravanan Ayyavoo.
“I’m so full of smiles, I cannot contain them,” said an excited Udaya, who was also the event’s host along with Saravanan and Jaynesh Isuran. “I am so happy I want to cry. I (used to) hate it when people go up on stage and cry but, now, I know why! I hate myself for doing that, but I am truly happy.”
Of the three awards, she said, clinching Best Actress meant the most to her. “I started as a singer, became a host and then I became an actress. So for them to recognise this in me is very close to my heart,” she said.
In her acceptance speech, she thanked fellow artiste and Vasantham Star 2007 contestant Ebi Shankara “for coming into my life”. She had posted a picture of the two of them with the hashtag “whimsically in love” on social media a few days ago, but said later: “Ebi is a very good friend. If there’s anything more, I’ll definitely let you know. He has been such a supporter and, whenever I need someone the most, he has been there.”
Taking home the Best Actor award was Sivakumar Palakrishnan for his work in Veethi Varai. “I don’t know how to explain the feeling of being on cloud nine — maybe this is it,” said the 12-year acting veteran. “I’ve been doing this for so long and I’m very happy that, besides acting for Channel 5 and Suria, I got my first acting award for speaking in my mother tongue, which is Tamil.
“It’s a language that I’ll never give up — I like it very much and I’m very proud of that.”
Other winners included Jaynesh Isuran, who was awarded Most Popular Male Personality; Dhivyah Raveen, who was named Best Newcomer; and Veethi Varai, which was named Best Drama. In addition, renowned dancer and choreographer Manimaran Thorasamy was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award.