By delivering two impressive and distinct performances this year, one in Kumbalangi Nights and the other in Helen, Anna Ben takes the credit for the most number of winning female performances.
In Kumbalangi Nights, Anna shared some of the best moments with Fahadh Faasil and Shane Nigam, while in Helen, she had to take on a more challenging role, of a woman trapped in a refrigeration unit.Parvathy once again proved why she is one of the best in the business by tackling an intense, affecting role in Uyare — of an acid attack survivor — and a doctor fighting an epidemic in Virus.Devastatingly complex and perplexing at once, Nimisha Sajayan's role in Chola had very few lines, and yet managed to strike an impression.Rajisha Vijayan's Diya in Vidhu Vincent's Stand Up is another brave performance of the year. Rajisha gave the film a much-needed boost in its second half and improved it to a large degree.A re-invention of sorts can be found in the characterisation of the main hero in Unda. As sub-inspector Mani, Mammootty owns the film in what can be regarded as one of his all-time best performances.Though there was nothing fresh about his role in Lucifer, the blockbuster gave Mohanlal fans a treat, in the form of a character that delightfully evoked some of the actor's best 'mass' films.By giving brilliant performances in 4 films in 2019 — Finals, Vikruthi, Android Kunjappan, and Driving Licence — Suraj Venjaramoodu once again cemented his status as one of the most reliable actors.Joju George struck gold this year by staring in Joshiy's comeback film Porinju Mariam Jose. His Kaattaalan Porinju is a typical Joshiy character — full of bottled-up rage, yet sympathetic.Joju followed it up an incredibly creepy turn in Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's Chola.Asif Ali's remarkable range was on full display in Uyare and Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha. In the former, the actor essayed one of the most despicable characters ever put on film.Also impressive was Asif Ali's performance as a man ignorant about female sexuality in Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha.Another consistently good actor, Saiju Kurup did well in all the films he has appeared in this year. But his comical and endearing character in Driving Licence, Johny, deserves the most applause.In Ishq, Shine Tom Chacko finally got a character that did justice to the actor in him. As the menacing Alvin, Shine is truly a revelation, especially in the film's second half.Not much needs to be said about Shammi, one of Fahadh Faasil's most celebrated performances. In Kumbalangi Nights, he played a man who represents everything that is wrong with Malayali men.As Saji in Kumbalangi Nights, Soubin delivered arguably his most-layered performance to date. His character alternated between serious and funny, and sometimes made us laugh and cry at the same time.`Sudhi Koppa, another dependable actor, gave two notable performances, in Sathyam Paranjha Vishwasikkuvo and Porinju Mariam Jose.To see Nivin Pauly finally stepping out his comfort zone in Moothon was such a gladdening sight. It's undoubtedly the finest performance of his career. You got to see Nivin becoming different people.Like Fahadh in Kumbalangi Nights, Shane Nigam also played a character that represents some of the flaws inherent in men. Also, his performance in Ishq is one of his most riveting to date.````````````In Driving Licence, Prithviraj played a superstar with a persona not too different from his real-life one, and you could argue that playing a character like that would be a cakewalk for the actor.Honorable mention 1: Vinay Forrt, Chinnu Chandni (Thamaasha)Honorable mention 2: Rosshan Andrrews (Prathi Poovankozhi)Honorable mention 3: Roshan Mathew (Thottappan, Moothon)