The JFW Movie Awards 2023, presented by Twin Birds, powered by Prithvi Innerwear and GRT Jewellers, colour partner Nippon Paint, co-presented by Yamaha FZ-X, and associate sponsors Kaaveri TMT Steel, Finesse Mattress, and Aphrodite’s Drape, was held on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam. The highlight of the JFW Movie Awards is that it is the only award with the highest number of women-based categories in Tamil cinema.
The event witnessed a huge line-up of the best of the best from the Tamil film industry. Among the awardees and presenters at the event were Trisha, STR, Keerthy Suresh, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Parthiban, Sarathkumar, Lokesh Kanagaraj, Arjun Das, Yogi Babu, Ashok Selvan, , among others.
The winners were adjudged in 16 categories based on their work in 2022. The event saw all the awardees and presenters acknowledge the importance of women in cinema, be it in front of or behind the camera, and laud JFW for initiating this platform to focus on such talents.
Here is the list of winners for the JFW Movie Awards 2023
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEAD ROLE
The best actress in a lead role was bagged by the talented Trisha Krishnan for her role as Kundavai in Ponniyin Selvan 1. Kundavai is an incredibly progressive character and only wants the best for her family. Trisha was as powerful and elegant as Kundavai. The award was presented to her by actor Sarathkumar and Mr. C S Balaji, Chief Marketing officer, GRT Jewellers.
BEST ACTRESS IN A WOMEN-CENTRIC FILM
The best actress in a women-centric film was bagged by Keerthy Suresh for Saanikaayidham. The award was presented to her by director Arun Maatheswaran and actor Vasanth Ravi. Keerthy was so happy to receive the award from the man himself and she shared exciting experiences from the sets.
BEST ACTRESS IN AN OTT SERIES
Debutante Sanjana, the famous Velonie, bagged the best actress in an OTT series. Sanjana delivered a promising performance in this one-of-a-kind series, which was released on Amazon Prime Video. S. J. Suryah, the police inspector in Velonie’s case, surprised Sanjana with his thoughtful video byte. The award was presented to her by the director duo Pushkar-Gayathri and Natrja, Senior Director, TN sales, Nippon paints.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Raveena Ravi, despite being a popular dubbing artist, rose to fame with her supporting role as Divya in Love Today. Raveena was honoured with the award for best supporting actress, which was presented to her by actor Yogi Babu.
BEST DEBUTANTE
The best debutante award was awarded to Aditi Shankar for her performance in the film Viruman. The award was presented to her by actor Arjun Das and Balan, Managing director, Prithvi Womens Innerwear. The man himself got off the stage and brought Aditi to the stage while announcing the winner.
BEST DIRECTOR OF A WOMEN-CENTRIC FILM
Director Gautham Ramachandran took home the Best Director of a women-centric film award for Gargi, which starred Sai Pallavi in the lead. The award was presented to him by actor Ashok Selvan.
BEST WOMEN-CENTRIC FILM OF THE YEAR
Undoubtedly Gargi was awarded the best women-centric film of the year. The award was received by director Gautham Ramachandran and co-producer Aishwarya Lekshmi.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER
Yamini Yagnamurthy won the best cinematographer award for her phenomenal work in Saani Kaayidham. The award was presented to her by Rajiv Menon.
BEST DUBBING ARTIST
Deepa Venkat won the best dubbing artist award for lending voice to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Ponniyin Selvan 1. The award was presented to her by Sreeja Ravi.
BEST SINGER
Madhushree won the best singer award for her unique voice in the song Mallipoo from Venthu Thanindhadhu Kaadu (VTK). The award was presented to her by singer Sujatha Mohan and Sureshkanth, brand official, Finesse Mattress.
BEST COSTUME DESIGNER
Eka Lakhani won the best costume designer award for carefully curating the costumes in one of the biggest period dramas of Indian cinema, Ponniyin Selvan 1. The award was presented to her by Suhasini Maniratnam.
BEST LYRICIST
Krithika Nelson was awarded the best lyricist award for soulful lyrics in Nitham Oru Vaanam. The award was presented to him by Lyricist Vivek.
MAN OF THE YEAR – DIRECTOR
The Yamaha Man of the year was awarded to Lokesh Kanagaraj for his phenomenal work in Vikram. The award was presented by producer Kalaipuli S Thanu and Vijay Kaul, General Manager, Yamaha Motors India.
MAN OF THE YEAR – ACTOR
Silambarasan TR was awarded the Man of the year for giving a great comeback with his film Venthu Thanindhadhu Kaadu. The award was presented to him by veteran actresses Suhasini Maniratnam and Poornima Baakiyaraj.
PROMISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Ivana won the promising star of the year for her role as Nikitha in Love Today. The award was presented by actor Mirchi Siva and Shanmuga Priya, Proprietor Aphrodite’s Drape.
BEST ACTRESS – CRITICS CHOICE
Aishwarya Lekshmi was the best actress in a critics choice. The award was presented to her by director Parthiban and Ramesh, Brand offcial, Kaveri TMT. Aishwarya was elated to receive the award for critics choice despite getting nominated in the best actress in a lead role category.
ANCHORS
The awards night was hosted by the very lively Mirchi Vijay and ace anchor Archana Chandhoke, who kept the audience entertained with their witty humour and engaging questions.
