The South Indian International Movie Awards returns to Dubai for the second time in its short history. Launched in 2012, the annual ceremony celebrates the best of the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam film industries.
The stars scheduled to perform at this year’s event, at Dubai World Trade Centre on Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7, include Shruti Haasan, Amala Paul, Shriya Saran, Rima Kallingal, Usha Uthup, Yash and Taapsee Pannu.
Bollywood talent features prominently in this year's line-up of nominees. Neil Nitin Mukesh made his crossover into Tamil cinema this year with Kaththi, and earned a nomination for Best Actor in a Negative Role.
The movie, directed by A R Murugadoss, has also been nominated for Best Film, Best Actor (Vijay), Best Director and Best Music Director.
Sonakshi Sinha has made it to the list for Best Debutante, while singer Arijit Singh has been nominated for Best Playback Singer in the Telugu awards.
Shreya Ghoshal, who previously won Best Playback Singer Female in Telugu in 2012 and 2014, is back again this year with nominations across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam awards. Another recurring face at SIIMA is the Tamil actor Dhanush, who is in the running for Best Playback Singer (Male).
In Telugu, previous winners who have been nominated again in the same category include Prakash Raj, winner of Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 2012; Lakshmi Manchu, winner of Best Actress in a Supporting Role; S S Thaman, Best Music Director, 2012; and Brahmanandam, who won Best Comedian in 2012.
Three previous Telugu Best Actress winners are also back this year: Nayantara, Shruti Haasan and Samantha, who won in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Best Actor nominees include two-time SIIMA winner Mahesh Babu, who previously won the award in 2012 and 2014.
In the Kannada categories, V Harikrishna, the 2012 and 2013 winner of Best Music Director, has been nominated again.
In the Malayalam awards, Lena, winner of Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2012, is again up for the same award.
• For the full list of nominations, visit www.siima.in
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