Pradhana Vizha 2025: A stellar celebration of the legacy, present and future of local Indian entertainment at its landmark 20th edition

Singapore, 16 February 2025 – The curtains rose, the atmosphere charged with excitement, and the spotlight shone on the best and brightest stars in Singapore’s local Indian entertainment scene at the 20th edition of Pradhana Vizha, held at The Theatre at Mediacorp on 15 February. Marking a historic milestone, this grand celebration recognised 20 outstanding winners across performance and programme categories, honouring the artistry, innovation, and dedication that continue to shape the industry.

Kicking off the celebrations was the dazzling red carpet segment – A Golden Walk to Stardom. Hosted by the beloved duo Das DD and Indra Chandran,  this saw celebrities arriving in style on the red carpet, setting the tone for a night of glamour and prestige. A dazzling LED wall backdrop also showcased the award show’s rich history through montages of memorable moments and achievements at the award show over the years.

As the evening unfolded, the spotlight turned to the awards show with celebrated artistes and hosts G. Selva, Jaynesh Isuran, Jaenani Netra, Karthikeyan Somasundram, Saravanan Ayyavoo, Thavanesan Sivanathan and Malene Waters bringing audiences through an exciting journey celebrating the legacy, present, and future of local Indian entertainment. Further commemorating the landmark occasion was a newly redesigned trophy, inspired by the Tamil character “lagaram” or “zha,” a key consonant in the Tamil language. With a flame-like tip, it further symbolises light, inspiration, and the role of each winner as a torchbearer for the local Indian entertainment industry.Bottom of Form

And the night had no shortage of trailblazers! Leading the pack was Oh Butterfly, a fantasy drama produced by Storybots Asia, that had captivated audiences with its compelling tale of a middle-aged man whose chance encounter with a magical being sets him on an extraordinary, time-defying journey. Winning the coveted “Best Drama Series” award, the show underscored the power of compelling local storytelling and genre experimentation. Adding to its success, cast member and rising star D.S. Kaiswarya was named “Most Promising Artiste”, reinforcing Pradhana Vizha’s role in spotlighting the next generation of talent. These awards also add to the show’s growing list of accolades, with it having won the “Global Tamil Series Excellence Award” at the Edison Awards 2024, a testament to the growing international appeal of local Indian productions.

Not to be outdone, dreamy Tamil romance drama Vaan Varu Vaan won the “Best Original Track” award for its heartwarming melody Neethaney. Its cast member, the charming Jaynesh Isuran, also took home the “Best Supporting Actor” award for his standout performance. Another noteworthy mention is Saravanan Ayyavoo, a host of the awards show, who clinched his eighth “Best Host” award.

On the unscripted front, Ethiroli, Mediacorp’s long-running current affairs programme, also emerged as a standout winner. Recognised with the “Best Info-Ed / Docu-drama Series” award, the programme continues to set the benchmark for investigative storytelling, tackling issues that resonate deeply with the Indian community. Now in its 20th season, its host Sivaranjaniy was also awarded “Best Host (Information)” for her ability to present complex topics with clarity and empathy, reinforcing the importance of strong, insightful journalism in shaping public discourse.

The night also paid tribute to industry pioneers, with the “Lifetime Achievement” award presented to Mr S. Peter in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to local Tamil media, particularly in news broadcasting over four decades. Guest-of-Honour President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented the prestigious award in a heartfelt moment of honour and gratitude.

Recognising artistes whose influence has stood the test of time, the “All-Time Favourite Artiste” award was bestowed upon the beloved Karthikeyan Somasundram. With a career spanning over two decades, his versatility and charismatic presence have earned him a special place in the hearts of audiences, making him a true household name.

But that’s not all! Fans also made their voices heard through their votes in the highly anticipated “Most Popular Male Personality” and “Most Popular Female Personality” categories. The winners,  Raghadeepan Santheran  and Eswari Gunasagar, were celebrated as the audience’s favourite stars, underscoring the strong connection between fans and the talent they admire. Please refer to Annex A for full winners’ list.

The awards show not only honoured nominees and awardees but also dazzled the audience with a series of spectacular musical and dance performances. This included the first-ever collaboration between musician Shabir Sulthan and rap sensation Yung Raja, who delivered a high-octane fusion of rap and song. In a moving tribute, the awards show also featured the commemorative song “Vinnai Thodu”, composed by Shabir Music Asia, in celebration of Pradhana Vizha’s 20th edition. Bridging generations, the performance united both veteran and emerging artistes in a tribute to the resilience, passion, and aspirations of the talented individuals who continue to shape the local Indian entertainment industry.

Virginia Lim, Chief Content Officer, Mediacorp, said: “Pradhana Vizha 2025 marks a significant milestone —20 editions of honouring excellence in local Indian entertainment. This year’s landmark celebration has brought together talents across generations in a stunning showcase of storytelling, performance, and production expertise, reflecting the rich heritage and dynamic future of the industry. We are proud to celebrate this legacy, and remain committed to championing original, high-quality productions that resonate with audiences for years to come.”

Angeline Poh, Chief Customer & Corporate Development Officer, Mediacorp, said: “Heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and nominees at this landmark edition of Pradhana Vizha! This milestone is not just a showcase of their talents and celebration of their achievements, but also a reflection of how far local Indian entertainment has come — and a promise to how much further it will go. We look forward to being with them every step of the way and can’t wait to see these stars continue to light up our screens and inspire audiences far and wide!”

Relive the glitz and glamour of A Golden Walk to Stardom and the full awards ceremony on mewatch and Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube.

For more information, visit mediacorp.sg/pradhanavizha.

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Media contact

Priyah Sitran Pandian

Communications Associate

Priyah.Sitranpandian@mediacorp.com.sg

About Mediacorp

Mediacorp is Singapore’s national media network and largest content creator. Its purpose is to create engaging and trusted content, as well as to connect communities and inspire people. Mediacorp engages over three million people in Singapore daily across four languages on its digital platforms including mewatch, melisten and CNA.asia, six TV channels and 11 radio stations. Beyond Singapore, Mediacorp also has a growing international audience through CNA and content distributed across markets. 

With a focus on nurturing talent and growing the sector, the company is committed to investing in nation-wide initiatives like Star Search, Anugerah, Yaar Antha Star and SPOP, commissioning a wide variety of work from local content creators, and collaborating with institutes of higher learning. As Singapore’s first local Multi-Channel Network in partnership with YouTube, Mediacorp is also committed to developing a network of digital content creators. 

For advertisers, Mediacorp has partnered industry-leading brands like ESPN, Mothership, Singapore Tatler, theAsianparent, VICE, YouTube and 99.co to form the Mediacorp Digital Network in offering more effective content-driven solutions. 

Mediacorp is the recipient of industry accolades including New York Festivals, World Media Festivals, PromaxBDA (World and Asia) and Asian Academy Creative Awards. 

For more information, please visit mediacorp.sg.  

Annex A – Pradhana Vizha 2025 Winners List

Programme Categories

Best Drama Series
Oh Butterfly	Storybots Asia

Best Info-Ed/Docu-Drama Series
Ethiroli	Mediacorp Tamil News and Current Affairs

Best Infotainment / Entertainment Series
Pradhana Vizha 2024	Mediacorp Eaglevision

Best Digital Short Form Content
Vasantham Junior Chef YouTube Series	CannonsNTulips

Best Radio Programme
Neeye Oli	Mediacorp OLI 968

Best Original Track
Neethaney	Vaan Varu Vaan	Stardust Story

Performance Categories

Best Actor
Rajeshkannan	Vilangu	VIP Media Productions

Best Actress
Nithiyia Rao	Kannae Kaniamuthe 2	Frames Entertainment

Best Supporting Actor
Jaya Ganesh Isuran	Vaan Varu Vaan	Stardust Story

Best Supporting Actress
Gayathri Segaran	Anbin Aaram	Invictus Productions

Most Promising Artiste
D.S. Kaiswarya	Oh Butterfly	Storybots Asia

Best Performance in an Antagonist Performance
Karls Karthikeyan	Ayya Veedu	Tantra Television

Best Host – Entertainment Series
Saravanan Ayyavoo	Vidumurai Attagasam	CannonsNTulips

Best Host – Information Series
Sivaranjaniy	Ethiroli 20	Mediacorp Tamil News & Current Affairs

Best Original Singer
Vishnu Balaji	Unaala Thaane	1943

Best Radio Jockey
SP Ravi Gunan	Mediacorp OLI 968

Most Popular Male Personality

Raghadeepan Santheran

Most Popular Female Personality

Eswari Gunasagar

All-Time Favourite Artiste

Karthikeyan Somasundram

Lifetime Achievement Award

Mr S. Peter

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