Kerala State Film Awards presented

Kerala State Film Awards Best Actress Shamla Hamza, Best Actor Mammootty along with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the award function at Nishagandhi auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
NIRMAL HARINDRAN

The presentation of the 55th Kerala State Film Award at the Nishagandhi auditorium in the capital on Sunday witnessed the coming together of different generations of Malayalam cinema, to celebrate the best films and performances from 2024, in which the industry broke out into new territories.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the awards to the winners.

Veteran actor Sarada was presented with the J.C. Daniel Award for 2024. “I am so happy that I am at a loss for words. The reason I am standing here in front of you with this award is you, the audience. People say that I am not a Malayali. But I am half-Malayali and half-Telugu, as my mother’s family belongs to Kozhikode,” she said.

Mr.Vijayan said that the State Awards at a time when Malayalam cinema is garnering praise for its content as well as its treatment, has increased the award’s importance. He spoke at length about the contributions of Ms.Sarada and Mammootty, whose Padma Bhushan award announcement came just before the film award function.

Manjummel Boys, the immensely popular survival drama directed by Chidambaram based on a real life story, was the toast of the evening, having garnered eight awards including the top honours of Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

Prakash Raj, the jury chairperson, said that he was very excited to be part of the jury as he has grown up watching the films of mind-blowing quality from the Malayalam industry.

“As many as 30% of the 128 films submitted are quality films. Malayalam cinema has not gone behind big budgets, but always concentrated on content. It always had an identity of its own. It was heartening to see a bunch of young talents, actors and technicians. I hope this recognition will inspire you to push the boundaries,” he said. The jury chairperson reiterated his comments on the lack of quality of children’s films, which had led to furore after the award announcement.

Mr.Mammootty said that the biggest reason for the kind of cinema being produced in Malayalam cinema is a receptive audience, which has nurtured films of a wide variety of films. Praising Feminichi Fathima, which won the award for the Best Debutant Director (Fasil Muhammed) as well as Best Actor (Female – Shamla Hamza), he said that such a film which portrays patriarchy in a nuanced manner is possible only in Malayalam cinema.

Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian, State Chalachitra Academy Chairperson Resul Pookkutty and other officials spoke.