The awards were announced by Kerala Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs, Saji Cherian, during a press conference held in Thrissur. The prestigious awards, recognizing the finest works in Malayalam cinema, saw Mammootty bagging the Best Actor title for his intense performance in Rahul Sadasivan’s ‘Bramayugam’ — a film that has already gained cult status for its atmospheric horror and powerful storytelling.
The Best Film award went to ‘Manjummel Boys’, directed by Chidambaram S Poduval, who also won Best Director for the same. The film, inspired by true events, captivated audiences and critics alike with its gripping narrative and technical brilliance.
The jury, led by veteran actor Prakash Raj, comprised seven members who evaluated 128 films submitted for the year 2024, of which only 26 made it to the final round.
In the acting categories, Shamla Hamza received Best Actress for her stellar performance in ‘Feminichi Fathima’, which also won Best Second Film and Best Debut Director for Fasil Muhammed.
Soubin Shahir and Sidharth Bharathan shared the Best Character Artist (Male) award for their roles in ‘Manjummel Boys’ and ‘Bramayugam’ respectively, while Lijomol Jose won Best Character Artist (Female) for ‘Nadanna Sambhavam’.
Special Jury Awards were presented to Tovino Thomas (‘ARM’) and Asif Ali (‘Kishkindha Kaandam’) in the male category, and Jyothirmayi (‘Bougainvillea’) and Darshana Rajendran (‘Paradise’) in the female category.
The romantic comedy ‘Premalu’ was named Best Popular Film, reflecting its massive audience appeal. Meanwhile, Payal Kapadia won the Special Jury Award for Women/Transgender Individuals for her internationally acclaimed film ‘All We Imagine As Light’.
Other notable winners include Prasanna Vithanage for Best Story (‘Paradise’), Lajo Jose and Amal Neerad for Best Screenplay (‘Bougainvillea’), Sushin Shyam for Best Music Director, and Christo Xavier for Best Background Score (‘Bramayugam’).
Technical brilliance was recognized across several categories, with ‘Manjummel Boys’ winning for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Design, while ‘Bougainvillea’ dominated in Costume, Makeup, and VFX categories.
The 55th Kerala State Film Awards once again celebrated the diversity, creativity, and emotional depth that define Malayalam cinema, honouring both legendary figures and emerging talents who continue to push cinematic boundaries.
