The winners and highlights of the 54th Kerala State Film Awards 2024:

Key Winners

1. Best Film – Kaathal – The Core

   • This film received the most prestigious award, Best Film, recognizing its overall excellence in storytelling, direction, acting, and technical brilliance.
      

2. Best Actor – Prithviraj Sukumaran (Aadujeevitham)

   • Prithviraj was honored for his powerful and emotive performance in Aadujeevitham. This marks his third State Award for Best Actor, a testament to his versatility and depth as an actor. His portrayal of Najeeb, a migrant worker enduring hardships in Saudi Arabia, was both intense and moving.
      

3. Best Actress – Urvashi (Ullozhukku) & Beena R Chandran (Thadavu)

   • Urvashi was recognized for her role in Ullozhukku, showcasing her exceptional talent and range. Known for her ability to bring characters to life, her performance in this film was no exception.
   • Beena R Chandran shared the award for her outstanding performance in Thadavu, where her portrayal received widespread critical acclaim. This dual recognition highlights the exceptional performances by both actresses in different contexts.
      

4. Best Director – Blessy (Aadujeevitham)

   • Blessy was awarded for his directorial vision in Aadujeevitham, a film based on the novel of the same name by Benyamin. His ability to translate the novel's emotional depth and vivid imagery into a compelling cinematic experience earned him this honor.
      

5. Best Second Film – Iratta (Rohit MG Krishnan)

   • Rohit MG Krishnan's Iratta was recognized as the Best Second Film, a category that honors outstanding films just behind the top winner. This accolade highlights the film’s strong narrative and technical execution.
      

6. Best Debutant – Fazil Razak (Thadavu)

   • Fazil Razak was honored as the Best Debutant, acknowledging his promising talent in his directorial debut, Thadavu. The film’s success reflects his potential to contribute significantly to the industry.
      

Special Awards

1. Special Jury Award – Sudhi Kozhikode (Kaathal – The Core), KR Gokul (Aadujeevitham), Krishnan

   • The Special Jury Award was given to Sudhi Kozhikode for his performance in Kaathal – The Core, highlighting his exceptional supporting role.
   • KR Gokul was recognized for his role in Aadujeevitham, contributing to the film's overall impact.
   • Actor Krishnan was also acknowledged, showcasing his unique talents.
      

2. Outstanding Brilliance in Cinematic Art – Gaganachari

   • This special award was given to Gaganachari, celebrating its extraordinary contribution to a specific aspect of filmmaking, whether in innovation, creativity, or technical achievement.
      

3. Special Jury Award for Women/Transgender People – Director Shalini Ushadevi (Ennennum)

   • This award honors the contributions of women and transgender individuals in cinema. Director Shalini Ushadevi was recognized for her work on Ennennum, highlighting the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in filmmaking.
      

Technical and Artistic Categories

1. Best Sound Design – Jayadevan Chakkadath, Anil Radhakrishnan (Ullozhukku)

   • This award recognizes the exceptional sound design in Ullozhukku, which added depth and atmosphere to the film’s narrative
     .

2. Best VFX – Andrew D'Cruz, Vishak Babu (2018)

   • The visual effects in 2018 were honored for their quality and contribution to the storytelling, enhancing the viewer's experience.
      

3. Best Dance Choreographer – Jishnu (Sulekha Manzil)

   • Jishnu was awarded for his outstanding choreography in Sulekha Manzil, showcasing creativity and skill in the dance sequences.
      

4. Best Dubbing Artists

   • Female: Sumangala was recognized for her voice work in Jananam 1947 and Pranayam Thodarunnu, bringing characters to life with her expressive voice.
   • Male: Roshan Mathew was honored for his dubbing in Ullozhukku and Valatty, contributing significantly to the films’ emotional depth.
      

5. Best Costume – Femina Jabbar (O Baby)

   • This award was given for the exceptional costume design in O Baby, which played a vital role in character development and visual storytelling.
      

6. Best Makeup Artist – Ranjith Ambady (Aadujeevitham)

   • Ranjith Ambady was honored for his makeup work in Aadujeevitham, which helped transform actors and bring the story’s setting and characters to life.
      

7. Best Processing Lab/Colorist – Vaishal Shiva Ganesh (Aadujeevitham)

   • This award recognizes the technical excellence in processing and color grading, contributing to the film’s visual appeal.
      

8. Best Sound Mixing – Resul Pookutty, Sharat Mohan (Aadujeevitham)

   • The award for Best Sound Mixing highlights the film’s intricate and immersive audio experience.
      

9. Best Sync Sound – Shameer Ahmed (O Baby)

   • Shameer Ahmed was recognized for his work in sync sound, enhancing the film's realism and audience engagement.
      

10. Best Production Design – Mohandas (2018)

    • This award celebrates the outstanding production design in 2018, which provided an authentic and visually compelling backdrop for the story.
       

Playback Singing and Music

1. • Best Playback Singer (Female) – Ann Amy (for "Thinkal Poovil" from Pachuvum Albutha Vilakkum)

     • Ann Amy’s soulful rendition of "Thinkal Poovil" in Pachuvum Albutha Vilakkum was celebrated for its emotional depth and vocal clarity, capturing the essence of the song beautifully.
        

   • Best Playback Singer (Male) – Vidyadharan Master (for Jananam 1947 and Pranayam Thodarunnu)

     • Vidyadharan Master was honored for his powerful and emotive singing in Jananam 1947 and Pranayam Thodarunnu, showcasing his range and ability to convey deep emotions through music.
        

   • Best Background Music – Matthews Pulikkal (Kaathal – The Core)

     • Matthews Pulikkal was recognized for his evocative background score in Kaathal – The Core, which enhanced the film’s narrative and emotional impact.
        

   • Best Songs – Justin Varghese (Chaver)

     • Justin Varghese was awarded for the best songs in Chaver, which were noted for their lyrical beauty and melodic composition.
        

   • Best Lyrics – Harish Mohanan (for "Chenthaamara Poovil" from Chaaver)

     • Harish Mohanan’s lyrics for "Chenthaamara Poovil" were celebrated for their poetic beauty and thematic depth, contributing significantly to the song’s overall appeal.
        

   • Screenplay, Cinematography, and Editing

   • Best Adapted Screenplay – Blessy (Aadujeevitham)

     • Blessy was honored for his adapted screenplay of Aadujeevitham, which effectively translated the original novel’s themes and narrative into a compelling cinematic script.
        

   • Best Original Screenplay – Rohith MG Krishnan (Iratta)

     • Rohith MG Krishnan received the award for his original screenplay for Iratta, recognized for its unique and engaging narrative structure.
        

   • Best Cinematography – Sunil KS (Aadujeevitham)

     • Sunil KS was awarded for his outstanding cinematography in Aadujeevitham. His visual storytelling and breathtaking shots played a crucial role in bringing the film’s harsh landscapes and emotional journey to life.
        

   • Best Editing – Sangeeth Prathap (Little Miss Rawther)

     • Sangeeth Prathap was recognized for his exceptional editing work in Little Miss Rawther, which contributed to the film’s pacing and narrative clarity.
        

   • Acting Awards

   • Best Story – Kaathal – The Core

     • The award for Best Story was given to Kaathal – The Core, highlighting its strong narrative and thematic elements that resonated with audiences and critics alike.
        

   • Best Child Actor (Female) – Thennal Abhilash (Sesham Mikeil Fathima)

     • Thennal Abhilash was honored for her role in Sesham Mikeil Fathima, showcasing her talent and ability to portray complex emotions at a young age.
        

   • Best Child Actor (Male) – Avirth Menon (Pachuvum Adhbhutha Vilakkum)

     • Avirth Menon received the award for his performance in Pachuvum Adhbhutha Vilakkum, displaying remarkable acting skills and a strong screen presence.
        

   • Best Character Artist (Female) – Sreeshma Chandran (Pombalai Urimai)

     • Sreeshma Chandran was recognized for her supporting role in Pombalai Urimai, where her performance added depth and nuance to the film.
        

   • Best Character Artist (Male) – Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam)

     • Vijayaraghavan was awarded for his role in Pookkaalam, where his portrayal of a pivotal character significantly enhanced the film’s narrative.