52nd Kerala State Film Awards: Biju Menon, Joju George, Revathi Win Top Acting Honours

Biju Menon and Revathi bag top acting honours at Kerala State Film Awards.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s Minister for Cultural, Fisheries and Youth Affairs Saji Cherian announced the winners of the 52nd Kerala State Film Awards on Friday. The jury for this year’s edition was headed by filmmaker-screenwriter Saeed Akhtar Mirsa. Popular actor Biju Menon and upcoming actor Joju George shared the 2021 Kerala State Film Award for best actor, while veteran actress Revathi walked away with the best actress award.

Dileesh Pothen bagged the best director award for ‘Joji’, which featured Malayalam sensation Fahadh Faasil as Joji, an engineering dropout, who dreams of becoming rich without his family’s help. ‘Avasu Vyooham’ was adjudged the best film. The most popular film award went to ‘Hridayam’.

Best Film – Avasavyuham

Second Best Film – Nishiddho and Chavittu

Best Actor – Biju Menon for Aarkkariyam and Joju George for Madhuram, Freedom Fight, Thuramukham and Naayaattu

Best Actress – Revathy for Bhoothakaalam

Best Director – Dileesh Pothan for Joji

Best Character Actor – Sumesh Moor for Kala

Best Character Actress – Unnimaya Prasad for Joji

Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value – Hridhyam

Best Children’s Film – Kaadakalam

Best Story Writer – Shahi Kabeer for Nayattu

Best Screenplay Writer – Krishand RK for Avasavyuham

Best Screenplay (Adapted) – Joji, Syam Pushkaran

Best Children’s Film – Kaadakalam

Best Child Artist (Male) – Master Adithyan for Niraye Thathakalulla Maram

Best Child Artist (Female) – Sneha Anu for Thala

Best Music Director (Songs) – Hesham Abdul Wahab for Hridayam

Best Male Singer – Pradeep Kumar, Minnal Murali

Best Female Singer – Sithara Krishnakumar, Kaanekkaane

Best Music Director (Background Score) – Justin Varghese for Joji

Best Lyricist – B K Harinarayanan, Kaadakalam

Best Film Editor – Mahesh Narayanan and Rajesh Rajendran for Naayaattu

Best Cinematographer – Madhu Neelakandan for Churuli

Best Sound Design – Renganath Ravee for Churli

Best Sound Mixing – Justin Jose for Minnal Murali

Best Sync Sound – Arun Ashok and Sonu K P for Chavittu

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 – A V Gokuldas for Thuramukham

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

A Special Award for the Promising Debut in Direction – Krishnendu Kalesh for Prappeda