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54th Kerala State Film Awards 2024 announced! The 54th Kerala State Film Awards have been unveiled, highlighting the exceptional talents that have graced Malayalam cinema this year. From powerful performances to outstanding direction and technical achievements, the awards recognize the very best in the industry. This year’s ceremony honored remarkable contributions across various categories, celebrating the creativity and hard work of those who have shaped the Kerala’s film industry. Let’s explore the highlights and the individuals who have made a significant impact with their extraordinary work.
Kerala State Film Awards 2024 Winners List
The Kerala State Film Awards 2024 have been announced, celebrating the top talents in Malayalam cinema from 2023. Saji Cheriyan, the Kerala Minister of Cultural Affairs, revealed the winners at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram. Prithviraj Sukumaran won Best Actor for his role in Aadujeevitham, while Urvashi and Beena R Chandran were named Best Actresses for their performances in Ullozhukku and Thadavu, respectively. Mammootty’s ‘Kaathal – The Core’ was honoured as the Best Picture. Blessy won Best Director for his film Aadujeevitham.
| Awards | Winners |
| Best Actor | Prithviraj Sukumaran (Aadujeevitham) |
| Best Actress | Urvashi (Ullozhukku)
Beena R Chandran (Thadavu) |
| Best Film | Kaathal: The Core |
| Best Director | Blessy (Aadujeevitham) |
| Best Movie | Kaathal: The Core |
| Best Second Movie | Iratta |
| Best Supporting Actor | Vijayaraghavan (Pookkalam) |
| Special Jury Award (acting) | Krishnan (Jaivam) |
| Special Jury Award (acting) | KR Gokul (Aadujeevitham) |
| Special Jury Award (acting) | Sudhi Kozhikode (Kaathal: The Core) |
| Special Jury Award (film) | Gaganachari |
| Special Jury Award (women) | Shalini Usha Devi (Ennennum) |
| Special Jury Award (visual effects) | 2018 |
| Best debutant director | Fazil Rasak (Thadavu) |
| Best Film providing wholesome entertainment | Aadujeevitham |
| Best Dubbing Artist (male) | Roshan Mathew (Ullozhukku, Vaalatti) |
| Best Dubbing Artist (female) | Sumangala (Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu) |
| Best Costume Designer | Femina Jabbar (O Baby) |
| Best Makeup Artist | Ranjith Ambadi (Aadujeevitham) |
| Best Processing Lab/Colorist | Aadujeevitham |
| Best Sound Design | Jayadevan Chakkadath, Anil Radhakrishnan (Ullozhukku) |
| Best Sound Mixing | Resul Pookutty, Sharath Mohan (Aadujeevitham) |
| Best Synch Sound | Shameer Ahammad (O Baby) |
| Best Art Direction | Mohandas (2018) |
| Best Editing | Sangeeth Pramod (Little Miss Rawther) |
| Best Playback Singer (female) | Ann Amy (Thinkalpoovil – Paachuvum Athbhuthavilakkum) |
| Best Playback Singer (male) | Vidyadharan master (Pathiranennu – Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu) |
| Best Music Direction (background score) | Mathews Pulikkan (Kaathal: The Core) |
| Best Music Direction (song) | Justin Varghese (Chenthamara – Chaaver) |
| Best Lyricist | Hareesh Mohanan (Chenthamara – Chaaver) |
| Best Screenplay (Adaptation) | Blessy (Aadujeevitham) |
| Best Screenplay (original) | Rohit MG Krishnan |
| Best Cinematographer | Sunil KS (Aadujeevitham) |
| Best Story | Aadarsh Sukumaran (Kaathal: The Core) |
| Best Child Artist (female) | Thennal Abhilash (Shesham Mikeil Fathima) |
| Best Child Artist (male) | Avyukth Menon (Paachuvum Athbhuthavilakkum) |
Kerala State Film Awards 2024 Panel
The Kerala State Film Awards, known for honoring the best in the film industry, had about 160 movie entries in its first round. An external jury selected around 50 films from this initial list for the second round. These shortlisted films were then personally screened by a panel.
The screening for the Kerala State Film Awards commenced on Saturday at the Chalachitra Academy’s Ramu Kariat Theater and LV Prasad Theater in KINFRA. To manage the large number of entries, two main committees were formed, each tasked with evaluating 80 films. Approximately 30 percent of these entries were selected based on merit for further consideration. The final jury then assessed these shortlisted films, leading to the awards announcement. Only films certified in 2023 were eligible for the 54th Kerala State Film Awards.
This year, the jury was chaired by Sudhir Mishra, the distinguished Hindi director and screenwriter renowned for his significant contributions to Indian cinema. Mishra, celebrated for impactful films like the National Award-winning Dharavi and the critically acclaimed Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, brought extensive experience and a discerning perspective to the judging process. His directorial debut, Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin, won the National Film Award for Best Debut in 1987.
The preliminary panel included cinematographer Prathap V. Nair, editor Vijay Shankar, writers Shihabuddin Poythumkadavu, Vinoy Thomas, and Malavika Binny, and sound recordist C.R. Chandran.
The Kerala State Film Awards have evolved over the years, with the number of awards increasing from 15 in 1969 to over 30 today, reflecting the changing landscape of cinema.
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54th Kerala State Film Awards 2024: Award Categories & Prizes
- J. C. Daniel Award: For outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema.
- Best Film: Rs. 100,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate for the producer; Rs. 40,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate for the director.
- Second Best Film: Rs. 60,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate for the producer; Rs. 30,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate for the director.
- Best Short Film: Award details not specified.
- Best Director: Rs. 50,000 cash and a replica.
- Best Actor: Rs. 100,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Actress: Rs. 100,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Character Actor: Rs. 50,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Character Actress: Rs. 50,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Second Best Actor: Rs. 50,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Second Best Actress: Rs. 50,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Comedian: Awarded from 1969-72 and 2008-2013; discontinued after 2013.
- Best Child Artist: Rs. 50,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Story: Rs. 50,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Screenplay: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Cinematography: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Lyrics: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Music Director: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Background Music: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Singer: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Film Editor: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Art Director: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Sound Recordist: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Processing Lab: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Makeup Artist: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Costume Designer: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Dubbing Artist: Rs. 7,500 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Choreography: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value: Awarded to the producer and director.
- Best Children’s Film: Awarded to the producer and director.
- Best Debut Director: Award details not specified.
- Special Jury Award: Rs. 30,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Special Mention: A replica and a certificate.
- Best Documentary: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate for the producer; Rs. 9,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate for the director.
- Best Book on Cinema: Rs. 15,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate.
- Best Article on Cinema: Rs. 8,000 cash, a replica, and a certificate
Kerala State Film Awards Best Actor List
| Year | Recipient(s) | Film(s) |
| 1969 | Sathyan | Kadalpalam |
| 1970 | Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair | Aranazhika Neram |
| 1971 | Sathyan | Karakanakadal |
| 1972 | Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair | Maaya |
| 1973 | P. J. Antony | Nirmalyam |
| 1974 | Adoor Bhasi | Chattakari |
| 1975 | Sudheer | Sathyathinte Nizhalil |
| 1976 | M. G. Soman | Thanal
Pallavi |
| 1977 | Bharat Gopy | Kodiyettam |
| 1978 | Sukumaran | Bandhanam |
| 1979 | Adoor Bhasi | Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal |
| 1980 | Achankunju | Lorry |
| 1981 | Nedumudi Venu | Various |
| 1982 | Bharat Gopy | Ormakkai |
| 1983 | Ente Mamattukkuttiyammakku
Rachana Kattathe Kilikkoodu Eenam |
|
| 1984 | Mammootty | Adiyozhukkukal |
| 1985 | Bharat Gopy | Chidambaram |
| 1986 | Mohanlal | T. P. Balagopalan M. A. |
| 1987 | Nedumudi Venu | Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam |
| 1988 | Premji | Piravi |
| 1989 | Mammootty | Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
Mrigaya Mahayanam |
| 1990 | Thilakan | Perumthachan |
| 1991 | Mohanlal | Abhimanyu
Ulladakkam Kilukkam |
| 1992 | Murali | Aadhaaram |
| 1993 | Mammootty | Vidheyan
Ponthan Mada Vatsalyam |
| 1994 | Thilakan | Gamanam
Santhanagopalam |
| 1995 | Mohanlal | Spadikam
Kaalapani |
| 1996 | Murali | Kaanaakkinaavu |
| 1997 | Suresh Gopi | Kaliyattam |
| 1998 | Murali | Thalolam |
| Rajit Kapur | Agnisakshi | |
| 1999 | Mohanlal | Vanaprastham |
| 2000 | O. Madhavan | Sayahnam |
| 2001 | Murali | Neythukaran |
| 2002 | Oduvil Unnikrishnan | Nizhalkuthu |
| 2003 | Nedumudi Venu | Margam |
| 2004 | Mammootty | Kaazhcha |
| 2005 | Mohanlal | Thanmathra |
| 2006 | Prithviraj Sukumaran | Vaasthavam |
| 2007 | Mohanlal | Paradesi |
| 2008 | Lal | Thalappavu |
| 2009 | Mammootty | Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha |
| 2010 | Salim Kumar | Adaminte Makan Abu |
| 2011 | Dileep | Vellaripravinte Changathi |
| 2012 | Prithviraj Sukumaran | Celluloid
Ayalum Njanum Thammil |
| 2013 | Fahadh Faasil | Artist
North 24 Kaatham |
| Lal | Ayaal
Zachariayude Garbhinikal |
|
| 2014 | Nivin Pauly | 1983 |
| Sudev Nair | My Life Partner | |
| 2015 | Dulquer Salmaan | Charlie |
| 2016 | Vinayakan | Kammatipaadam |
| 2017 | Indrans | Aalorukkam |
| 2018 | Soubin Shahir | Sudani from Nigeria |
| Jayasurya | Captain
Njan Marykutty |
|
| 2019 | Suraj Venjaramoodu | Android Kunjappan Version 5.25
Vikruthi |
| 2020 | Jayasurya | Vellam |
| 2021 | Biju Menon | Aarkkariyam |
| Joju George | Nayattu
Madhuram Thuramukham Freedom Fight |
|
| 2022 | Mammootty | Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam |
| 2023 | Prithviraj Sukumaran | The Goat Life |
Who has Won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress?
| Year | Recipient(s) | Film(s) |
| 1969 | Sheela | Kallichellamma |
| 1970 | Sharada | Thriveni
Thara |
| 1971 | Sheela | Oru Penninte Kadha
Sarasayya Ummachu |
| 1972 | Jayabharathi | Various films |
| 1973 | Madhavikutty
Gayathri |
|
| 1974 | Lakshmi | Chattakari |
| 1975 | Rani Chandra | Swapnadanam |
| 1976 | Sheela | Anubhavam |
| 1977 | Santhakumari | Chuvanna Vithukal |
| 1978 | Shoba | Ente Neelakaasham |
| 1979 | Srividya | Edavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha
Jeevitham Oru Gaanam |
| 1980 | Poornima Jayaram | Manjil Virinja Pookkal |
| 1981 | Jalaja | Venal |
| 1982 | Madhavi | Ormakkayi |
| 1983 | Srividya | Rachana |
| 1984 | Seema | Aksharangal
Aalkkoottathil Thaniye |
| 1985 | Anubandham | |
| 1986 | Shari | Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal |
| 1987 | Suhasini | Ezhuthappurangal
Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal |
| 1988 | Anju | Rugmini |
| 1989 | Urvashi | Mazhavilkavadi
Varthamana Kalam |
| 1990 | Thalayanamanthram | |
| 1991 | Kadinjool Kalyanam
Kakkathollayiram Bharatham Mukha Chithram |
|
| 1992 | Srividya | Daivathinte Vikrithikal |
| 1993 | Shobana | Manichitrathazhu |
| 1994 | Shanthi Krishna | Chakoram |
| 1995 | Urvashi | Kazhakam |
| 1996 | Manju Warrier | Ee Puzhayum Kadannu |
| 1997 | Jomol | Ennu Swantham Janakikutty |
| 1998 | Sangita | Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala |
| 1999 | Samyuktha Varma | Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal |
| 2000 | Madhuranombarakattu
Mazha Swayamvara Panthal |
|
| 2001 | Suhasini | Theerthadanam |
| 2002 | Navya Nair | Nandanam |
| 2003 | Meera Jasmine | Kasthooriman
Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam |
| 2004 | Kavya Madhavan | Perumazhakkalam |
| Geetu Mohandas | Akale
Oridam |
|
| 2005 | Navya Nair | Saira
Kanne Madanguka |
| 2006 | Urvashi | Madhuchandralekha |
| 2007 | Meera Jasmine | Ore Kadal |
| 2008 | Priyanka Nair | Vilapangalkappuram |
| 2009 | Swetha Menon | Paleri Manikyam |
| 2010 | Kavya Madhavan | Khaddama |
| 2011 | Swetha Menon | Salt N’ Pepper |
| 2012 | Rima Kallingal | 22 Female Kottayam
Nidra |
| 2013 | Ann Augustine | Artist |
| 2014 | Nazriya Nazim | Bangalore Days
Ohm Shanthi Oshaana |
| 2015 | Parvathy Thiruvothu | Charlie
Ennu Ninte Moideen |
| 2016 | Rajisha Vijayan | Anuraga Karikkin Vellam |
| 2017 | Parvathy Thiruvothu | Take Off |
| 2018 | Nimisha Sajayan | Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
Chola |
| 2019 | Kani Kusruti | Biriyaani |
| 2020 | Anna Ben | Kappela |
| 2021 | Revathi | Bhoothakalam |
| 2022 | Vincy Aloshious | Rekha |
| 2023 | Uruvashi
Beena R Chandran |
Ullozhukku
Thadavu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the most Kerala state film award?
Aadujeevitham won nine awards, including Best Director for Blessy and Best Actor for Prithviraj Sukumaran. With a record 160 films submitted, this was the highest number of entries in the awards’ history.
Who is the youngest actor to win Kerala State Award?
At age 24, Prithviraj Sukumaran became the youngest recipient of the award for his role in Vaasthavam (2006). He took over this title from Mohanlal, who held it for 20 years starting in 1986.
