The 55th Kerala State Film Awards, announced on November 3 by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, marked a resounding victory for Manjummel Boys, which emerged as the year’s biggest winner with nine honours across creative and technical categories.
The gripping survival drama was adjudged Best Film, while Chidambaram S. Poduval won Best Director. The film also bagged Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography (Shyju Khalid), Best Art Direction (Ajayan Chalissery), Best Sound Design and Mixing, Best Lyricist (Vedan), and Best Music Direction (Sushin Shyam), underscoring its all-round excellence.
In the acting categories, veteran actor Mammootty was named Best Actor for his intense performance in Bramayugam, reaffirming his position as a powerhouse of Malayalam cinema. Rising star Shamla Hamza was honoured with the Best Actress award for her portrayal in Feminichi Fathima, a role that earned her widespread acclaim and marked a stellar debut.
Feminichi Fathima was also declared Second Best Film, while its director, Fasil Muhammed, won Best Debut Director. The Popular Film Award went to Premalu, a youthful romantic comedy that struck a chord with audiences.
Reflecting on his win, Mammootty said that awards are gratifying but filmmaking remains a journey driven by passion, not trophies. His humility and artistic integrity drew praise from fans and peers alike.
This year’s competition saw 128 films in contention, reflecting the creative depth and diversity of Malayalam cinema. The 2024 awards celebrated both technical mastery and fresh voices, honouring seasoned performers like Mammootty while spotlighting new talents such as Shamla Hamza.
In a year defined by cinematic experimentation and emotional storytelling, Manjummel Boys stood tall, capturing the spirit of survival and camaraderie, and sweeping Kerala’s most prestigious film honours with well-deserved glory.
