Dinjith Ayyathan’s mystery drama Eko, starring Sandeep Pradeep in the lead, has been named Best Film at the 49th Kerala Film Critics Awards, honouring films from 2025. The winners were announced in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
Dominic Arun won Best Director for the Kalyani Priyadarshan-starrer Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, while Mohanlal was selected as Best Actor for his performances in Tharun Moorthy’s Thudarum and Sathyan Anthikad’s Hridayapoorvam.
The Best Actress honour was shared by Kalyani for Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra and Anaswara Rajan for Rekhachithram and Mr and Mrs Bachelor.
According to the organisers, 60 films were considered for this year’s awards. The jury was chaired by George Onakkur, with Aravindan Vallachira, Jose K Manuel and A Chandrasekhar serving as members. Thekkinkaad Joseph, general secretary of the association, announced the results.
Among the special honours, veteran singer M G Sreekumar will receive the Chalachitra Ratnam Lifetime Achievement Award, while filmmaker Priyadarshan has been chosen for the Ruby Jubilee Award.
Film Talent Awards will be presented to T G Ravi, Indrans, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, Kalliyur Sasi, Urmila Unni and B Arundhati.
Complete list of winners
Best Film: Eko
Second Best Film: Rekhachithram
Best Director: Dominic Arun (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra)
Best Actor: Mohanlal (Thudarum, Hridayapoorvam)
Best Actress: Kalyani Priyadarshan (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra), Anaswara Rajan (Rekhachithram, Mr and Mrs Bachelor)
Best Supporting Actor: Prakash Varma (Thudarum), Dileesh Pothen (Ronth)
Best Supporting Actress: Honey Rose (Rachel), Shubha Wayanad (Shanti: The Reflection of Truth)
Special Jury Award (Acting): Manoj Govindan, Sangeeth Prathap, Sandeep Pradeep, Twinkle Joby, Meenakshi
Best Child Artist: Dharmik Sudhakaran (Pachatheyam), Devananda Jibin (Kalyanamaram)
Best Story: G R Indugopan (Ponman)
Best Screenplay: Rajesh Thillankeri (A Pregnant Widow)
Best Lyricist: Mahesh Gopal (Mr and Mrs Bachelor), Murali Neelambari (Vadu)
Best Music Director: Jakes Bejoy (Narivetta, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra)
Best Playback Singer (Male): Navaneeth Unnikrishnan (“Vidaparayam”, Hridayapoorvam)
Best Playback Singer (Female): Sithara Krishnakumar (“Minnalvala”, Narivetta), J R Divya Nair (“Madhuramayoru Kokila Naadam”, Nerariyum Nerath)
Best Cinematographer: Muhammed A (Thanthapperu)
Best Editor: Praveen Prabhakar (Kalamkaval)
Best Sound Mixing: M R Rajakrishnan (L2: Empuraan)
Best Art Director: Sunil Lavanya (Jagala)
Best Make-up Artist: Ronex Xavier (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra)
Best Costume Design: Minima Shaji (Moonnam Nombaram)
Best Popular Film: Sarvam Maya
Best Children’s Film: Deivathankunnu, Pachatheeyam
Best Film for National Integration: Khidki Gaav
Best Women’s Film: Victoria
Best Original Films: Samastha Lokah, Mindiyum Paranjum, Moonwalk, Chinna Chinna Aasai, Karuthal
Best Environmental Film: Kalyanamaram, Bhoothalam
Best Socially Relevant Film: Ariku, Swalih
Best Biblical Film: The Third Number
Best Debut Actor: Riya Shibu (Sarvam Maya)
Best Debut Directors: Jithin K Jose (Kalamkaval), Sharan Venugopal (Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal), Prashanth Vijay (Ithiri Neram), Manoj Govindan (Nobody), Shaju Valappan (Shadow Traders)
Best Debut Screenplay: Santhy Balachandran (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra)