The 45th Kerala Film Critics Awards were announced on Monday. Prithviraj Sukumaran and Biju Menon shared the Best Actor award for their performances in Ayyappanum Koshiyum, while The Great Indian Kitchen, directed by Jeo Baby, won the Best Film award.
The Best Actress award is shared by Surabhi Lakshmi (Jwalamukhi) and Samyuktha Menon (Aanum Pennum, Vellam and Wolf). Filmmaker Sidhartha Siva bagged the Best Director award for Ennivar.
Established in 1977 by the Kerala Film Critics Association, the awards honour the best in Malayalam cinema each year.
As many as 34 films were considered for the awards this year, which were announced by the president of the association and chairman of the jury, Dr George Onakkoor. The members of the jury were Thekkinkad Joseph Balan, Thirumala Dr Aravindan Vallachira, Prof Joseph Mathew Pala, and A Chandrasekhar.
Dr Onakkor added that the award ceremony will be held once the Covid-19 related restrictions are lifted.
Late filmmaker KG George was conferred with the Chalachitra Ratnam award for his outstanding contribution to cinema. The Ruby Jubilee was awarded to screenwriter and director Harikumar for his comprehensive contribution to Indian cinema over the last four decades.
Here is the list of award winners in the major categories:
Best Film: The Great Indian Kitchen
Best Director: Sidhartha Siva (Ennivar)
Best Actor: Prithviraj Sukumaran and Biju Menon (Ayyappanum Koshiyum)
Best Actress: Surabhi Lakshmi (Jwalamukhi) and Samyuktha Menon (Aanum Pennum, Vellam, Wolf)
Second Best Film: Vellam
Second Best Director: Prajesh Sen (Vellam)
Best Supporting Actor Male: Sudheesh (Ennivar)
Best Supporting Actor Female: Mamitha Baiju (Kho Kho)
Best Child Artiste Male: Sidharth (Bonamy) and Krishnasree (Kaanthi)
Best Screenplay: Sachy (Ayyappanum Koshiyum)
Special Jury Award: Jwalamukhi
Best Lyricist: Engandiyoor Chandrasekharan (Randam Naal)
Best Music Director: M Jayachandran (Sufiyum Sujatayum)
Best Playback singer Male: PK Sunilkumar (Perfume)
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Best Playback singer Female: KS Chithra (Perfume)
Best Cinematographer: Amal Neerad (Trance)
Best Film Editor: Noufal Abdullah (Sameer)
Best Sound Designer: Resool Pookkutty (Trance)
Best Art Director: Bava (Sufiyum Sujatayum)
Best Makeup artist: Sudhi Surendran (Ek Din)
Best costume Designer: Mashar Hamsa (Trance)
Best Popular Film of the Year: Sufiyum Sujataum
Best Children’s Film: Bonamy