Earlier today, the Tamil Nadu government announced the winners of the Kalaimamani Awards for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023. Public relations officers Diamond Babu and Nikil Murukan are among the winners for the years 2022 and 23, respectively. Reacting to the win in an exclusive chat with CE, Nikil says, "This is my 30th year and my 575th film (Thalaivan Thalaivii) has been released, and I feel it is a recognition for the work I have put in over the years. In every profession, we need recognition. We get many awards. But when you get it from the government, it is an exciting and big recognition."

Speaking about the response to his achievement from the people he works with, Nikil reveals, "The calls have been pouring from whoever I have worked with in the past and are working with now. I will not say they are my clients. They are my well wishers who continues to take me to the next level."

He expressed his gratitude to the honourable CM MK Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, the committee at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting who has chosen him for the award, all the producers, directors and technicians he has worked with, his PR team and his family. "Mainly, I should thank the media. If a producer or director believes that I will do the job, it is all because of the media who supports me."

On the other hand, Diamond Babu, also a veteran with experience working for more than 600 films, also remains indebted to those journalists who continues to show unrelenting support to him in his journey. "The support and care that I have been getting from the journalism community is the reason I have been awarded," he shares. He also thanked the state's CM, Deputy CM, and MP Saminathan (Minister for Tamil Development, Information and Publicity).