Director Lingusamy was among many others who received the Kalaimamani Award for the year 2021, announced by the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday. The filmmaker, who last made The Warriorr in 2022, spoke exclusively to Cinema Express, sharing his joy on receiving the award in his 24th year in the industry.

He shares, "The happiness that my friends, family, and well-wishers have shown on hearing about my Kalaimamani Award gives me more joy than the award itself." Further, he recalls something the late politician M Karunanidhi said about the award. "Many years ago, former Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi wrote in Murasoli that the Kalaimamani Award is like a mother’s kiss (annai mutham) from the government, and that every recipient should accept it with love. Even today, I hold that sentiment very close to my heart," he explains.

Lastly, the filmmaker says that this award also makes him want to work more for his well-wishers, fans and the audience. "Ever since the announcement, people connected to me, well-wishers, friends, the press, and even those from across the world have reached out to share their excitement about my journey as a filmmaker. I truly want to multiply this happiness. If I have received this honour for my work so far, I feel even more determined to continue creating, wholeheartedly and with greater responsibility," he concludes.

Lingusamy began his career with the Mammootty film Aanandham in 2001. He then went on to helm films such as Run, Sandakozhi, and Paiyaa. From the film industry, he has received the award for the year 2021 alongside actor-director SJ Suryah, actor Sai Pallavi, and stunt co-ordinator Super Subbarayan, among others. Presently, as previously announced by the filmmaker himself, Lingusamy is working on a mega-budget two-film project based on the Hindu epic Mahabharata.