Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on Friday that the Kalaignar Ninaivu Kalaithurai Vithagar Award for 2024 will go to veteran actor M.N. Rajam. The 2025 award will be given to veteran filmmaker S.P. Muthuraman. M.N. Rajam is one of Tamil cinema’s senior-most artists. She started acting in stage plays young and debuted in films as a child in 1949. Rajam became a lead actress in the 1950s and 60s. Some of her hit movies include Rathakkanneer, Pennin Perumai, Pudhaiyal, Thangapathumai, Nadodi Mannan, Pasamalar, Thaali Baakiyam, and Mangaiyar Thilakam. She acted in over 200 Tamil films. Later, she took supporting roles, such as mother and mother-in-law, winning hearts with memorable performances in Arangetram and Oorukku Uzhaippavan. She is also the first woman member registered with the South Indian Artistes’ Association. She has earned many awards for her long service in the arts. S.P. Muthuraman began his film career as an assistant director in 1960 with Kalathur Kannamma. He became a leading commercial director for Tamil cinema from the 1970s to the 1990s. Muthuraman directed more than 70 films, including Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai, Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri, Oru Oodhappoo Kan Simittugirathu, Murattu Kaalai, Engeyo Ketta Kural, and Sakalakala Vallavan. He is known for his simplicity, integrity, and humility and has won several awards. Both awardees will receive ₹10 lakh each and a memento from the Chief Minister, as per the official release.