52nd Kerala State Film Awards: Complete list of winners

The 52nd Kerala State Film Awards were announced on Friday (May 27). Saji Cherian, Minister for Culture, announced the winners. Biju Menon and Joju George shared the Best Actor award this year, while Revathy Asha won the Best Actress award. About 142 films were submitted for the awards this year, under different categories, and 29 made it to the final round. A jury chaired by Bollywood filmmaker and screenwriter Saeed Akhtar Mirza watched and analyzed the films and performances.

Here is the complete list of winners.

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This year, the best actor award was shared by Joju George and Biju Menon. Jury chairman Saeed Akhtar Mirza emphasized that the selection process for the best actor was 'extremely difficult'. Speaking about Biju Menon's performance in 'Aarkkariyam' he told 'it is extremely nuanced'. The chairman also praised Joju George's performance and said that the character in 'Nayattu' was 'exuberant' and 'vulnerable'.

52nd Kerala State Film Awards: Joju George and Biju Menon share the best actor award!

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Though there were several stars competing for the best actress category actress Revathy Asha got the upper hand for her unsettling character of Revathy in the horror thriller ‘Bhoothakaalam’. Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, the film dealt with some unusual occurrences taking place in a mother and her only son’s life. It should also be noted that Revathy is a winner of three National awards - one for best actress (Thevar Magan) and two for her directorials - ‘Mitr, My Friend’ and ‘Red Building where the Sun Sets’.

52nd Kerala State Film Awards: Revathy Asha is the best actress!

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While many of the cinephiles and industry insiders were expected ‘#Home’ to be bagging the best film award, it was ‘Avasa Vyooham’ that won the award. Directed by Krishand RK, ‘Avasa Vyooham’ is an experimental film, which deals with pressing environmental issues.

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Filmmaker Dileesh Pothen bagged the award for best director for his film ‘Joji’ which had Fahadh Faasil in the lead role. Inspired by William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the film had impressed cinephiles and critics alike.

52nd Kerala State Film Awards: Dileesh Pothan bags the Best Director award

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Hesham Abdul Wahab managed to impress the entire jury, like he awed the music lovers with his magical composition for the film ‘Hridayam’. Hesham Abdul Wahab won the award for best music director (songs), and interestingly, all the songs from the film were mentioned.

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Second Best Film: ‘Nishiddho’ and ‘Chavittu’.

Best Character Actor: Sumesh Moor (Kala)

Best Character Actress: Unnimaya Prasad (Joji)

Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value: Hridayam

Best Story Writer: Shahi Kabeer (Nayattu)

Best Screenplay Writer: Krishand RK (Avasa Vyooham)

Best Screenplay (Adapted): Joji (Syam Pushkaran)

Best Male Singer: Pradeep Kumar (Minnal Murali)

Best Female Singer: Sithara Krishnakumar (Kaanekkaane)

Best Music Director (Background Score): Justin Varghese (Joji)

Best Lyricist: B K Harinarayanan (Kaadakalam)

Best Cinematographer: Madhu Neelakandan (Churuli)

Best Film Editor: Mahesh Narayanan and Rajesh Rajendran (Naayaattu)

Best Sound Design: Renganath Ravee (Churuli)

Best Sound Mixing: Justin Jose (Minnal Murali)

Best Sync Sound: Arun Ashok and Sonu K P (Chavittu)

Best Children’s Film: Kaadakalam

Best Child Artist (Male): Master Adithyan (Niraye Thatthakalulla Maram)

Best Child Artist (Female): Sneha Anu (Thala)

Best Choreographer: Arun Lal (Chavittu)

Best Dubbing Artist (Female): Devi S (Drishyam 2)

Best Makeup Artist: Ranjith Ambady (Aarkkariyam)

Best Costume Designer: Melwy J (Minnal Murali)

Best Art Director: A V Gokuldas (Thuramukham)

Best Visual Effects: Andrew D’crus (Minnal Murali)

Best Colorist: Liju Prabhakar (Churuli)

Special Jury mention: Jeo Baby (Freedom Fight)

Special Jury Award: Sherry Govindan (Avanovilona)

Special Award for promising Debut Direction: Krishnendu Kalesh (Prappeda)

Special Award in any category for Women/Transgender: Negha S (Antharam)

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