Director Jeo Baby's Kaathal bagged the top honour for Best Feature Film in Malayalam at the 54th Kerala State Film awards announced on Friday. This is his second win in the category after winning it for The Great Indian Kitchen (2021). Kaathal, a thought-provoking and poignant film in which Mammootty played a closeted homosexual, earned nationwide attention during its release last year.
While Jeo Baby expressed his happiness in the film's achievements, he also expressed his anguish at the plight of the queer community. "While I'm happy about the win, a same amount of grief engulfs me as I can't help but think of Kishore Kumar, who won the award for Best Book on Cinema. Kishore, who is part of the queer community, is unfortunately not with us now as he killed himself. So, that's the reality we are dealing with even today."
Kishore Kumar, whose book Mazhavil Kanniloode Malayala Cinema won the award, was also an LGBTQ+ activism and co-founder of Queerala and Gay Malayali Association. He was found dead in his apartment in Kozhikode in April this year. Expressing his concerns, Jeo said, "Even today, people in the community are unable to lead a normal life. It's good that our film and the intentions have been recognised, but it also hurts to see their plight."
Kaathal also won the award for Best Story (Adarsh Sukumaran) and Best Background Music (Mathews Pulickan). Sudhi Kozhikode, who played the character Thankan, was also honoured with a Special Jury Mention.