| Number: | 7 |
| Award: | Cinema Express Awards |
| Date: | 12 April 1987 |
| Best Picture: | Samsaram Adhu Minsaram |
| Next: | 8th |
The 7th Cinema Express Awards were held on 12 April 1987,[1] and honoured the best of South Indian films released in 1986. The awards were announced in February.[2]
| Best Film | Samsaram Adhu Minsaram | ||
| Best Actor | Vijayakanth | Amman Kovil Kizhakale | |
| Best Actress | Lakshmi | Samsaram Adhu Minsaram | |
| Best Director | Mani Ratnam | Mouna Ragam | |
| Special Commendation for Direction | Visu | Samsaram Adhu Minsaram | |
| Best New Face Actor | Ramarajan | Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru | |
| Best New Face Actress | Rekha | Kadalora Kavithaigal | |
| Best New Face Director | R. Aravindraj | Oomai Vizhigal | |
| Best Music Director | T. Rajendar | Mythili Ennai Kaathali | |
| Best Cameraman | Ramesh Kumar | Oomai Vizhigal | |
| Best Comedy Actor | Senthil | Natpu | |
| Best Comedy Actress | Kovai Sarala | Various | |
| Best Child Artist | Baby Shalini | Nilave Malare | |
| Best Playback Singer – Male | Malaysia Vasudevan | Various | |
| Best Playback Singer – Female | K. S. Chithra | Various |
| Best Film | Swathi Muthyam | ||
| Best Actor | Kamal Haasan | Swathi Muthyam | |
| Best Actress | Radhika | Swathi Muthyam | |
| Best Director | K. Viswanath | Swathi Muthyam |
| Best Film | Sundara Swapnagalu | ||
| Best Actor | Shiva Rajkumar | Anand | |
| Best Actress | Saritha | Mouna Geethe | |
| Best Director | K. Balachander | Sundara Swapnagalu |
| Best Film | Vartha | ||
| Best Actor | Mohanlal | Panchagni | |
| Best Actress | Shobana | Various | |
| Best Director | I. V. Sasi | Vartha |
Radha Ravi and Ambika were given separate special awards for Odangal and Natpu, and Thazhuvatha Kaigal, respectively.