Recipients of the Kalaignar Ninaivu Kalaithurai Vithagar Award for 2024 and 2025 have been named by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. The 2024 honour goes to veteran actor M.N. Rajam, while veteran director S.P. Muthuraman has been chosen for 2025. The award carries the name of former Chief Minister Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi and is given to those who have rendered exceptional service to Tamil cinema and the arts. Each of the two awardees will receive Rs 10 lakh in cash together with a memento in recognition of their contribution.