The Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year is a recognition presented by the Tamil television channel Star Vijay to honor individuals in the Tamil film industry (Kollywood) for their significant contribution and impact in the field of entertainment during a given year.
Overview and Selection Process The Entertainer of the Year award is typically categorized as a "Favorite" or "People's Choice" award. Unlike the jury-based awards that focus on technical or artistic merit, this category is generally determined by public participation. Viewers and fans cast their votes through various channels, including SMS, telephone, and online platforms. The award is intended to reflect the popularity and commercial success of an actor or technician within the calendar year.
History and Context The Vijay Awards were established in 2006 to celebrate excellence in Tamil cinema. The Entertainer of the Year category became one of the most anticipated segments of the ceremony due to the involvement of the general public. The awards were held annually between 2006 and 2015, after which there was a hiatus. A subsequent ceremony took place in 2017, but the event has since been held irregularly.
Notable Recipients The award has been bestowed upon several prominent figures in the Tamil film industry. Recipients often include actors who have had multiple successful film releases or significant cultural impact in a single year. Notable winners of this category include:
- Vijay: Recipient in 2007 (for Pokkiri and Azhagiya Tamil Magan), 2012 (for Nanban and Thuppakki), and 2014 (for Kaththi).
- Suriya: Recipient in 2009 (for Ayan and Aadhavan) and 2010 (for Singam).
- Dhanush: Recipient in 2008 (for Yaaradi Nee Mohini) and 2011 (for Aadukalam).
- Sivakarthikeyan: Recipient in 2013 for his performance across multiple successful releases that year.
- Nayanthara: Recipient in 2017 (for Aramm and Velaikkaran), marking a rare instance of the award being presented to a female actor.
The award serves as a benchmark for measuring the star power and public resonance of individuals within the Tamil cinematic landscape.
