The prestigious South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) are set to hold their 13th edition in Dubai on September 5th and 6th. To mark the occasion, a grand press meet was held in Hyderabad, where SIIMA felicitated the National Award winners from the Telugu film industry.
National Award recipients from films like Bhagavanth Kesari (Director Anil Ravipudi and Producer Sahu Garapati), Baby (Director Sai Rajesh and Singer Rohith), and Hanu-Man (Director Prashanth Varma and Visual Effects artist Venkat) were honored by SIIMA for their achievements.
Industry Stalwarts Applaud SIIMA's Efforts
Veteran producer Allu Aravind was full of praise for the organization. "It's a great pleasure to see SIIMA successfully complete 12 years and now embark on its 13th edition. I want to congratulate Vishnu and Brinda. It's truly commendable that even before the industry could react, SIIMA stepped in to honor all the National Award winners on one stage. This should be celebrated like a festival. My congratulations to SIIMA for carrying this forward wonderfully," he said.
Director Anil Ravipudi reflected on his long-standing relationship with SIIMA. "My film Bhagavanth Kesari is very special to me, and it's a joy to receive national recognition. My thanks to the National Awards committee, jury, producer Sahu Garapati, and our hero Balakrishna Garu. I've had a great relationship with Vishnu from SIIMA. He gave me my first award for Pataas, and I can never forget that. Last year, when I received the Best Film award for Bhagavanth Kesari, Vishnu Garu predicted that it would win a National Award. He guessed it right! Hats off to SIIMA for giving awards based on original content. This is not just an awards ceremony; it connects film talent from four languages. It's beautiful to see different talents come together on one platform."
Winners Express Gratitude
Director Prashanth Varma, receiving his first honor since the National Award win, said, "It's a great pleasure to meet all the National Award winners. My thanks to Vishnu Garu and Brinda Garu from SIIMA. I congratulate not only the award winners but everyone who worked on the films. SIIMA is a great platform that celebrates talent and inspires many great films to be made."
Director Sai Rajesh echoed a similar sentiment, adding, "This is the first recognition I've received after the National Award, and it came from SIIMA. Thank you, Vishnu Garu and Brinda Garu. I've received ten awards in my career, and it's a great pleasure that eight of them were given by Allu Aravind Garu."
Stars and Organizers Share Their Excitement
Actor Sundeep Kishan highlighted SIIMA's role in the industry. "SIIMA is an awards ceremony that brings recognition to our South Indian films nationwide. Almost 80% of my collaborations in South India have come through SIIMA. It’s a great honor to be part of this event. Congratulations to Brinda Garu and Vishnu Garu."
Actress Vedika described SIIMA as a "celebration of culture," and actress Faria Abdullah expressed her excitement about celebrating cinema in Dubai. Actress Manchu Lakshmi called SIIMA a "festival for us, just like Sankranti and Diwali."
SIIMA Chairperson Brinda Prasad concluded the press meet, stating, "SIIMA is ready for another reunion. 13 years is a long journey with many beautiful memories and milestones. This journey wouldn't have been possible without the support of our industry friends and stars. Thanks to everyone who has believed in us. SIIMA is not just an awards ceremony; it's a global stage that celebrates talent and culture. We set a new benchmark every year, and we are happy to reach our 13th edition. Let's all meet in Dubai on September 5th and 6th."
