The South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2025 celebrated the brilliance of South Indian cinema in grand style on September 5 and 6, 2025, in the vibrant city of Dubai. Known as one of the most prestigious award ceremonies, SIIMA recognizes excellence in the Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam film industries. The event honored the best performances, outstanding direction, and remarkable music that shaped the South Indian film landscape this year.
Telugu Winners at SIIMA 2025
Telugu cinema dominated the stage with big-budget films making a strong mark. Pushpa 2: The Rule and Kalki 2898 AD took home several top honors.
Best Actor: Allu Arjun (Pushpa 2: The Rule)
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Best Actress: Rashmika Mandanna (Pushpa 2: The Rule)
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Best Director: Sukumar (Pushpa 2: The Rule)
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Best Film: Kalki 2898 AD
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Best Villain: Kamal Haasan (Kalki 2898 AD)
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Best Supporting Actor: Amitabh Bachchan (Kalki 2898 AD)
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Best Supporting Actress: Anna Ben (Kalki 2898 AD)
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Best Comedian: Satya (Mathu Vadhalara 2)
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Best Cinematographer: Ratnavelu (Devara)
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Best Music Composer: Devi Sri Prasad (Pushpa 2: The Rule)
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Best Lyric Writer: Ramajogaiah Sastry (Chuttamalle – Devara)
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Best Singer (Male): Kandukoori Shankar Babu (Peelings – Pushpa 2: The Rule)
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Best Singer (Female): Shilpa Rao (Chuttamalle – Devara)
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Best Actor (Critics): Teja Sajja (HanuMan)
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Best Actress (Critics): Meenakshi Chaudhary (Lucky Baskhar)
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Best Director (Critics): Prasanth Varma (HanuMan)
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Best Debut Actor: Sandeep Saroj (Committee Kurollu)
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Best Debut Actress: Bhagyashree Borse (Mr. Bachchan)
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Best Debut Director: Nanda Kishore Yemani (35 Oka Chinna Katha)
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Best Debut Producer: Niharika Konidela (Committee Kurollu)
Kannada Winners at SIIMA 2025
Kannada cinema impressed with a variety of talents recognized across categories.
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Best Music Director: B Ajaneesh Loknath (MAX)
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Best Comedy Actor: Jack Singham (Bheema)
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Best Debut Director: Sandeep Sunkad (Shakhakaari)
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Best Debut Actor: Samarjit Lankesh (Gowri)
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Promising Newcomer: Sanya Iyer (Gowri)
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Best Debut Actress: Ankita Amar
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Song Design of the Year Special Award: V Harikrishna
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Best Cinematographer: Srivathsan Selvarajan (Ibbani Tabbida Illeyali)
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Best Playback Singer (Female): Aishwarya Rangarajan
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Best Playback Singer (Male): Jaskaran
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Best Lyric Writer: V Nagendra Prasad
Tamil Winners at SIIMA 2025
Tamil films brought a perfect blend of creativity, performance, and innovation.
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Best Film: Amaran
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Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran)
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Best Actor (Female): Sai Pallavi (Amaran)
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Best Actor (Negative Role): Anurag Kashyap (Maharaja)
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Best Actor (Comedy Role): Bala Saravanan (Lubber Pandhu)
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Critics’ Best Director: Nithilan Saminathan (Maharaja)
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Critics’ Best Actor (Male): Karthi (Meiyazhagan)
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Critics’ Best Actress (Female): Dushara (Raayan)
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Special Rising Star: Harish Kalyan (Lubber Pandhu)
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Best Supporting Actor (Male): Kalaiyarasan (Vaazhai)
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Best Supporting Actress (Female): Abhirami (Maharaja)
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Fresh Face Award: Sanjana Krishnamoorthy (Lubber Pandhu)
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Best Debut Director: Tamizharasan Pachamuthu (Lubber Pandhu)
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Best Debut Actor (Male): Vijay Kanishka (Hit List)
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Best Debut Actress (Female): Sri Gouri Priya (Lover)
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Best Music Director: GV Prakash Kumar (Amaran)
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Best Playback Singer (Male): Haricharan (Hey Minnale – Amaran)
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Best Playback Singer (Female): Sinduri (Minikki Minikki – Thangalaan)
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Best Lyric Writer: Umadevi Kuppan (Poraen Naa Poraen)
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Best Cinematographer: Ch Sai (Amaran)
Malayalam Winners at SIIMA 2025
Malayalam cinema showcased realistic storytelling and powerful performances.
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Best Film: Manjummel Boys
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Best Director: Blessy (Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life)
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Best Actor (Male): Prithviraj Sukumaran (Aadujeevitham)
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Best Actress (Female): Urvashi (Ullozhukku)
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Best Comedy Actor: Shyam Mohan (Premalu)
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Best Negative Role: Jagadeesh (Marco)
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Critics’ Best Actor (Male): Unni Mukundan
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Best Debut Director: Joju George (Pani)
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Best Debut Actor (Male): KR Gokul (The Goat Life)
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Best Debut Actress: Neha Nazneen (Qalb)
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Best Supporting Actor (Male): Vijayaraghavan (Kishkindha Kaandam)
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Best Supporting Actress (Female): Akhila Bhargavan (Premalu)
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Best Cinematographer: Shehnad Jalal (Bramayugam, Ullozhukku)
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Best Lyric Writer: Suhail Koya (Premalu)
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Best Music Director: Dhibu Ninan Thomas (ARM)
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Best Playback Singer (Female): Vaikom Vijayalakshmi (Angu Vaana Konilu – ARM)
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Best Playback Singer (Male): K. S. Harisankar (Kiliye – ARM)
Conclusion
The SIIMA Awards 2025 once again highlighted the rich diversity of South Indian cinema, celebrating both established legends and promising newcomers. With winners spanning across Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam industries, this year’s awards reflected the ever-growing influence of South Indian films on the global stage.