Kerala’s minister for cultural, fisheries and youth affairs Saji Cherian announced the winners of the 52nd Kerala State Film Awards on Friday. As many as 142 movies were in the running, including those featuring some of the biggest stars of Malayalam cinema. The jury for this year’s edition was headed by filmmaker-screenwriter Saeed Akhtar Mirza.
The ecological film Aavasa Vyuham (The Arbit Documentation Of An Amphibian Hunt, 2022) bagged the top honour, Best Film. Its director, Krishand RK, won the Best Screenplay (Original) award.
Aavasa Vyuham review: A surreal and fantastical ecological tale
The Best Actor award was shared by Biju Menon and Joju George. The former was awarded for his performance as a guilt-ridden patriarch in Sanu John Varughese's slow-burning drama Aarkkariyam (2021) set in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Joju George was lauded for his portrayal in no less than four films — Nayattu (2021), Madhuram (2021), Freedom Fight (2022) and the yet-to-be-released period action drama Thuramukham (2022).
Revathy bagged the Best Actress award for her gripping performance in Rahul Sadasivan's horror drama Bhoothakaalam (2022), which was released directly on SonyLIV earlier this year.
Dileesh Pothan bagged the Best Director award for his Macbeth inspired slow-burn crime drama Joji (2021). The film also bagged two more awards — Best Screenplay (Adapted, Syam Pushkaran) and Best Character Actress, which went to Unnimaya Prasad, who played a complex role as the sister-in-law of Fahadh Faasil’s character.
Vineeth Sreenivasan's celebrated coming-of-age romantic drama Hridayam (2022) was awarded Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value.
Auteur Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Churuli was honoured for its cinematographer, sound design and colourist.
Here is the complete list of winners:
Best Film - Aavasa Vyuham
Second Best Film - Nishiddho and Chavittu
Best Actor - Biju Menon for Aarkkariyam and Joju George for Madhuram, Freedom Fight, Thuramukham and Nayattu
Best Actress - Revathy for Bhoothakaalam
Best Director - Dileesh Pothan for Joji
Best Character Actor - Sumesh Moor for Kala (2021)
Best Character Actress - Unnimaya Prasad for Joji
Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value - Hridayam (2022)
Best Children’s Film - Kaadakalam (2021)
Best Story Writer - Shahi Kabeer for Nayattu
Best Screenplay (Original) - Krishand RK for Aavasa Vyuham
Best Screenplay (Adapted) - Syam Pushkaran for Joji
Best Children’s Film - Kaadakalam
Best Child Artist (Male) - Master Adithyan for Niraye Thathakalulla Maram (2022)
Best Child Artist (Female) - Sneha Anu for Thala
Best Music Director (Songs) - Hesham Abdul Wahab for Hridayam
Best Male Singer - Pradeep Kumar for Minnal Murali
Best Female Singer - Sithara Krishnakumar for Kaanekkaane (2021)
Best Music Director (Background Score) - Justin Varghese for Joji
Best Lyricist - BK Harinarayanan for Kaadakalam
Best Film Editor - Mahesh Narayanan and Rajesh Rajendran for Nayattu
Best Cinematographer - Madhu Neelakandan for Churuli (2021)
Best Sound Mixing - Justin Jose for Minnal Murali (2021)
Best Sync Sound - Arun Ashok and Sonu KP for Chavittu (2022)
Best Sound Design - Renganath Ravee for Churuli
Best Choreographer - Arun Lal for Chavittu
Best Dubbing Artist (Female) - Devi S
Best Makeup Artist - Ranjith Ambady for Aarkkariyam
Best Costume Designer - Melwy J for Minnal Murali
Best Art Director - AV Gokuldas for Thuramukham (2022)
Best Visual Effects - Andrew D’crus for Minnal Murali
Best Colorist - Liju Prabhakar for Churuli
Special Jury mention - Jeo Baby for Freedom Fight
Special Jury Award - Sherry Govindan for Avanovilona (2022)
A Special Award for the Promising Debut in Direction - Krishnendu Kalesh for Prappeda (2022)