The huge success of Vijay TV’s Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards in 2007 has made the organisers come out with Vijay Awards for 2008 as well. The award show, a first of its kind in South India, lets the common man vote for his favourite stars and film.
As part of the ground activity, a mobile van, Rasigan Express would travel to the key cities in Tamilnadu over a period of two weeks; getting viewers to nominate their favourite hero, heroine, director and film from the 107 films released in 2007.
The flag off of the Rasigan Express was held at the Chennai Citi Centre yesterday. Information Minister of Tamilnadu Paruthi Ilamvazhuthi flagged off the Rasigan Express van in the presence of Nadigar Sangam president Sarath Kumar, Director’s Association president S.A. Chandrasekhar, Tamil Film Producers’ Council president Ramanarayanan and FEFSI president ‘FEFSI’ Vijayan.
The Rasigan Express would be travelling to Salem (March 21), Erode (March 22), Coimbatore (March 23 and March 24), Madurai (March 25 and 26), Trichy (March 27), Tanjore (March 28) and Vilupuram (March 29).
Once the nominations through Rasigan Express are over, the 5 most popular names in each of the 4 categories would be up for viewer voting through the IVR, SMS and online platform. Apart from the four favourite awards, there are 22 BEST Awards and 4 SPECIAL awards that will be chosen by the jury. The 4 special awards include the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for excellence in Cinema, Award for contribution to Cinema, Best Entertainer (chosen by the film industry) and Icon of the Year (chosen by media agencies and clients).
Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards will also have an on air component; airing as a weekly, featuring the journey of the Rasigan Express, the judges panel discussing the movies and possible nominations in each category. The show would go on air in the last week of March 2008.
The grand awards ceremony will be held in Chennai amidst much fanfare attended by the top names of the industry. The show will also feature some special performances by leading actors and star performers. ‘Neeya Naana’ Gopinath will be the host for the initial episodes which will be aired from March 30.
Yuhi Sethu, a popular film analyst and the charming actress Khushbu, would host the award’s show. The jury panel comprises of popular actor Bhagyaraj, film critic Madan, actor & film analyst Lizzy Priyadarshan.
Click here for the event photos!
