New Delhi: The 53rd edition of the prestigious Kerala State Film Awards was announced by Kerala Minister for Cultural Affairs, Saji Cherian, on July 21. The awards, which were supposed to be announced on July 19, were deferred to this date due to the demise of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
The jury, led by acclaimed Bengali film director and screenwriter Goutam Ghose, comprised of actor Gauthami, cinematographer Hari Nair, singer Jency Gregory, and sound designer D Yuvaraj. They had the challenging task of selecting the winners from a massive list of 154 movies, resulting in 49 films making it to the final round.
'Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam,' directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, won the Best Film award. The film also earned Mammootty the Best Actor award for his remarkable performance in the same film. Last time the superstar got the state award was way back in 2009.
Meanwhile, Vincy Aloshious received the prestigious Best Actress title for her role in 'Rekha,' and
"I was expecting that the film 'Rekha' wins some award as it was a great team effort and when the award has come to me, there is nothing bigger than this, as this is my first award of the Kerala government," the 27-year-old actress said in a statement.
Mahesh Narayanan was named Best Director for the movie "Ariyippu."
Among the other winners, Kamal KM received the award for Best Writer for the film "Pada," while Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval won Best Screenplay (Original) for "Nna Thaan Case Kodu," and Rajesh Pinnadan was honored with Best Screenplay (Adaptation) for "Oru Thekkan Thallu Case."
The award jury chairman Goutam Ghose said that he was extremely happy to see an array of films and even happier to see the immensely talented people working in Malayalam films.
"May be next year I will come and direct a film here," said Ghose.
Here is the complete list of winners:
Best Film – Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam
Second Best Film – Adithattu
Best Actor – Mammootty (Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam)
Best Actress – Vincy Aloshious (Rekha)
Best Director – Mahesh Narayanan (Ariyippu)
Special Jury Mention (Acting) – Kunchacko Boban (Nna Thaan Case Kodu) and Alencier Ley Lopez (Appan)
Special Jury Mention (Direction) – Biswajith S and Rareesh
Special Award in Any Category for Women/Transgender – Shruthi Sharanyam (B 32 Muthal 44 Vare)
Best Character Actor – P P Kunjikrishnan (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Character Actress – Devi Varma (Saudi Vellakka)
Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value – Nna Thaan Case Kodu
Best Children’s Film – Pallotty 90’s Kids
Best Story Writer – Kamal KM (Pada)
Best Screenplay (Original) – Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Screenplay (Adapted) – Rajesh Pinnadan (Oru Thekkan Thallu Case)
Best Child Actor – Master Da Vinci (Pallotty 90’s Kids)
Best Child Actress – Thanmaya (Vazhakku)
Best Music Director (Songs) – M Jayachandran (Pathonpathaam Noottaandu and Ayisha)
Best Male Singer – Kapil Kapilan (For the song “Kanave” from the movie Pallotty 90’s Kids)
Best Female Singer – Mridula Warrier (For the song “Mayilpeeli Ilakunnu Kanna” from the movie Pathonpathaam Noottaandu)
Best Music Director (Background Score) – Dawn Vincent (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Lyricist – Rafeeq Ahammed (For the song “Thiramaalayaanu Nee” from the movie Viddikalude Maash)
Best Film Editor – Nishad Yousuf (Thallumaala)
Best Cinematographer – Manesh Madhavan (Ela Veezha Poonchira) and Chandru Selvaraj (Vazhakku)
Best Sound Design – Ajayan Adat (Ela Veezha Poonchira)
Best Sound Mixing – Vipin Nair (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Sync Sound – Vysakh VV (Ariyippu)
Best Choreographer – Shobi Paul Raj (Thallumaala)
Best Dubbing Artist (Female) – Pauly Valson (Saudi Vellakka)
Best Dubbing Artist (Male) – Shobi Thilakan (Pathonpathaam Noottandu)
Best Makeup Artist – Ronex Xavier (Bheeshmaparvam)
Best Costume Designer – Manjusha Radhakrishnan (Saudi Vellakka)
Best Art Director – Jyothish Sankar (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Visual Effects – Aneesh T, Sumesh Gopal (Vazhakku)