The 54th Kerala State Film Awards, a notable event celebrating the crème de la crème of Malayalam cinema, saw the grand success of two extraordinary films: Aadujeevitham and Kaathal: The Core. Garnering numerous awards, these films stood out not only for their compelling narratives but also for their technical brilliance and powerful performances.
Aadujeevitham clinched nine awards in total, with director Blessy receiving the Best Director accolade. The story of human endurance and survival in extreme conditions, Aadujeevitham was praised for its gripping portrayal of suffering and resilience. Prithviraj Sukumaran took home the Best Actor award for his masterful performance in the film. Additionally, Aadujeevitham was honored as the Best Popular Film and secured awards for Best Adapted Screenplay (Blessy), Best Cinematography (K.S. Sunil), Special Jury Award for actor K.R. Gokul, Best Sound Mixing (Resul Pookutty and Sarath Mohan), Best Makeup Artist (Ranjith Ambady), and Best Processing Lab/Colourist (Vaishal Shiva Ganesh).
Jeo Baby’s Kaathal: The Core, a sensitive exploration of homosexuality, won the prestigious Best Film award, alongside Best Story. The film’s nuanced portrayal and compelling narrative have made a significant impact, showing Jeo Baby’s prowess in handling delicate themes with depth and sensitivity.
The performance awards were notable this year, with Urvashi and Beena R. Chandran sharing the Best Actor (Female) title. Urvashi was recognized for her emotive and subtle portrayal of a bereaved mother in Ullozhukku, while Beena R. Chandran was celebrated for her role as a woman enduring a series of unfortunate events in Fazil Razak’s Thadavu. Razak also received the award for Best Debutant Director, rounding off a memorable debut.
Rohith M.G. Krishnan’s Iratta, a haunting story of twin brothers whose lives diverge drastically, won multiple awards including Best Original Screenplay. Iratta also took the title of the Best Second Film, showcasing Rohith’s skill in storytelling and direction. The film also received accolades for its sound design, with Jayadevan Chakkadath and Anil Radhakrishnan winning the Best Sound Design award for Ullozhukku.
The technical brilliance of Malayalam cinema was further recognized with Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018 winning Best Visual Effects for Andrew D Cruz and Vishak Babu, alongside Best Art Direction for Mohandas. Little Miss Rawther earned Sangeeth Prathap the Best Editing award, demonstrating striking technical proficiency in these areas.
Musical achievements were also celebrated, with Justine Varghese winning Best Music Award for Chaaver, while Mathews Pulickan was honored with Best Background Music for his work in Kaathal: The Core.
. The Best Playback Singer Awards were presented to veteran music director Vidhyadharan Master for his song ‘Pathiranennorthoru Kanavil’ from Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu and Ann Amie for ‘Thinkalppoovin Ithalival’ from Pachuvum Albuthavilakkum.
Several special jury awards highlighted the diversity and talent in the field. Sudhi Kozhikode was honored with a Special Jury Award for his performance in Kaithal, with Krishnan earning a similar distinction for his role in Jaivam. Shalini Ushadevi received special recognition for her direction of Ennennum, a significant acknowledgment of the contributions of women and transgender individuals in filmmaking.
The jury, chaired by filmmaker Sudhir Mishra and comprising Alagappan N, Lijo Jose Pellissery, Sreevalsan J Menon, Priyanandan TR, C Ajoy, NS Madhavan, and Ann Augustine, was tasked with evaluating a record 160 submissions. Their diligent efforts culminated in shortlisting 35 films, with the final jury reinstating three more films initially rejected. This year witnessed a significant presence of debut directors, with 22 out of the 38 finalists representing newcomers.
Though children’s films saw four submissions, the jury concluded that none were deserving of awards. Nevertheless, emerging talents were spotlighted with Avyukth Menon winning Best Child Actor (Male) for Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum and Thennal Abhilash winning Best Child Actor (Female) for Shesham Mikeil Fathima.
The awards’ announcement by Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian, in the presence of jury members, not only recognized the outstanding talents in the Malayalam film industry but also underscored the depth, variety, and evolution of its cinematic narratives. The full list of winners reflects a rich and diverse pool of storytelling, technical execution, and artistic excellence.
Here’s the complete list of winners from the 54th Kerala State Film Awards:
– Best Film: Kaathal: The Core (Director: Jeo Baby)
– Best Actor (Male): Prithviraj Sukumaran (Aadujeevitham)
– Best Actor (Female): Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Beena R. Chandran (Thadavu)
– Best Director: Blessy (Aadujeevitham)
– Second Best Film: Iratta (Director: Rohith M.G. Krishnan)
– Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value: Aadujeevitham (Dir- Blessy)
– Best Character Actor (Male): Vijayaraghavan (Pookkalam)
– Best Character Actor (Female): Sreeshma Chandran (Pombalai Orumai)
– Best Debut Director: Fazil Razak (Thadavu)
– Best Story: Adarsh Sukumaran (Kaathal: The Core)
– Best Composer: Justin Varghese (Chaver)
– Best Background Music: Mathews Pulickan (Kaathal: The Core)
– Best Playback Singer (Male): Vidyadharan Master (”Pathiranennorthoru anavil” from Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu)
– Best Playback Singer (Female): Ann Amie (“Thinkalpoovin Ithalaval” from Pachuvum Athbhutha Vilakkum)
– Best Lyrics: Hareesh Mohanan (”Chenthamara Poovin” from Chaver)
– Best Editor: Sangeeth Prathap (Little Miss Rawther)
– Best Screenplay (Original): Rohith M.G. Krishnan (Iratta)
– Best Screenplay (Adapted): Blessy (Aadujeevitham)
– Best Cinematography: K.S Sunil (Aadujeevitham)
– Best Children’s Film: No entry worthy of award
– Best Child Actor (Male): Avyukth Menon (Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum)
– Best Child Actor (Female): Thennal Abhilash (Shesham Mikeil Fathima)
– Best Art Direction: Mohandas (2018)
– Best Sync Sound: Shameer Ahmed (O.Baby)
– Best Sound Mixing: Resul Pookkutty and Sarath Mohan (Aadujeevitham)
– Best Sound Designing: Jayadevan Chakkadath and Anil Radhakrishnan (Ullozhukku)
– Best Dubbing Artiste (Male): Roshan Mathew (Ullozhukku for the character Rajeev, Valatty for Tomy, the dog)
– Best Dubbing Artiste (Female): Sumangala (Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu for Gouri Teacher)
– Best Choreography: Jishnu (Sulaikha Manzil)
– Best Makeup: Ranjith Ambady (Aadujeevitham)
– Best Costume: Femina Jabbar (O Baby)
– Best VFX: Anrew D Cruz, Vishakh Babu (2018)
– Best Processing Lab/Colourist: Vaisakh Siva Ganesh (Aadujeevitham)
– Special award for transpersons or women for any category: Shalini Usha Devi (Ennennum)
– Jury Mention (Film): Gaganachari (Director – Arun Chandu)
– Jury Mention (Actor): Krishnan (Jaivam), K.R. Gokul (Aadujeevitham), Sudhi Kozhikode (Kaathal: The Core)
– Best Book on Cinema: Mazhavil Kanniloode Malayala Cinema by Kishore Kumar
– Special Jury Award for Book on Cinema: Kaamanakalude Samskarika Sandarbhangal by P. Premachandran
– Best Article on Cinema: Desheeyathaye Azhichedukkunna Cinemakal by M.R.Rajesh
– Special Jury Award for Article of Cinema: Film Society Prasthanam Keralathil: Charithravum Rashtreeyavum by K.R.Anoop
