The recent Tamil Nadu State Film Awards ceremony created a strong buzz after director Vetrimaaran did not attend the event, where he was conferred the Best Dialogue Writer award for ‘Asuran’ (2019). The awards for films released between 2016 and 2022 were presented on February 13 at Kalaivanar Arangam by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Many stars, including Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan, Suriya, A. R. Rahman, and Sai Pallavi, were present. But Vetrimaaran’s absence immediately led to speculation that he had refused the honour.
Vetrimaaran wanted credit for writer Suka
According to ABP Live, the issue is not about rejecting the award but about giving proper credit. ‘Asuran’ won multiple honours, including Best Film and Best Actress. Vetrimaaran was selected for Best Dialogue, but he reportedly informed the selection committee that a major portion of the dialogue was written by Suka and requested that the award be given to him instead. When the request was not accepted, he chose not to receive the award.
Social media debate on the selection for the 2026 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
The award list had already drawn criticism online, with users pointing out that even unreleased films and cameo appearances were recognized. Amid this, the announcement of an award-winning director not receiving his award served to highlight the real issue in the discussion. Vetrimaaran’s stance has been widely praised by industry insiders and cinema lovers alike. It is being viewed as a rare but principled stand that highlights a crucial point: awards should honor the actual creators whose work is on screen, rather than just the big names associated with them.
Vetrimaaran focuses on ‘Arasan’ with Silambarasan
On the work front, Vetrimaaran is currently directing ‘Arasan’ with Silambarasan in the lead. The film has also been in the news due to reports about Vijay Sethupathi stepping away because of date issues, though official confirmation is awaited.
