The 48th Kerala Film Critics Awards were announced on Tuesday, with Feminichi Fathima winning Best Film. Fazil Mohammed directed the film, which was produced by Thamar KV, Sudheesh Scaria, and Fazil. Indu Lakshmi took home Best Director for the Jagadish-starrer Appuram, while Tovino Thomas was named Best Actor for his performances in Ajayante Randam Moshanam (ARM) and Anweshippin Kandethum. Nazriya Nazim (Sookshmadarshini) and Rima Kallingal (Theatre: The Myth of Reality) shared the Best Actress award. Veteran film critic and director Vijayakrishnan was honoured with the Chalachitra Ratnam award for lifetime achievement. Actor-writer Jagadish received the Ruby Jubilee Award for completing four decades in cinema.
The Chalachitra Prathibha Awards were given to veteran actors Seema, Babu Antony and Suhasini, cinematographer-director Vipin Mohan, producer Jubilee Joy Thomas, and veteran stunt choreographer Thyagarajan for their contributions to the industry. The awards were announced by jury chairman and president of the association, Dr George Onakkur. The jury comprised Thekkinkad Joseph, Dr Aravindan Vallachira, Dr Jose K Manuel and A Chandrasekhar.
Complete list of 48th Kerala Film Critics Awards 2024:
Best Film: Feminichi Fathima (Dir. Fasil Muhammed)
Best Director: Indu Lakshmi (Appuram)
Best Actor: Tovino Thomas (Ajayante Randam Moshanam, Anweshippin Kandethum)
Best Actress (shared): Nazriya Nazim (Sookshma Darshani), Rima Kallingal (Theatre: The Myth of Reality)
Chalachitra Ratnam: Vijayakrishnan
Ruby Jubilee Award: Jagadish
Film Talent Awards (Chalachitra Prathibha Puraskaram) : Actors Seema, Suhasini and Babu Antony, cinematographer-director Vipin Mohan, veteran stunt choreographer Thyagarajan and producer Jubilee Joy Thomas
Second Best Film: Sookshmadarshini
Director of Second Best Film: MC Jithin (Sookshmadarshini)
Best Supporting Actor (shared): Saiju Kurup (Bharathanatyam, The Third Murder, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan) , Arjun Ashokan (Anand Sreebala, Ennu Swantham Punyalan, Anpodu Kanmani)
Best Supporting Actress (shared): Shamla Hamza (Feminichi Fathima), Chinnu Chandini (Vishesham)
Special Jury Awards for Acting: Jaffer Idukki (Orubettavan, Qalb, Mandakini, Chattuli, Am A, Kuttante Shinigani, Anandapuram Diaries), Harilal (Karthavu Kriya Karmam, Prathimukham), Pramod Veliyanad (Kondal, Theatre The Myth of Reality)
Best Child Artiste Male: Master Angelo Christiano (Kalam Std V B)
Best Child Artiste Female: Baby Melisa (Kalam Std V B)
Best Screenplay: Don Palathara, Sherin Catherine (Family)
Best Lyricist: Vasu Areekkode (Ramuvinte Manaivikal), Vishal Johnson (Prathimukham)
Best Music Director: Rajesh Vijay (Mayamma)
Best Playback Singer Male: Madhu Balakrishnan (song 'Om Swasthi' from Sukhino Bhavanthu)
Best Playback Singer Female (shared): Vaikkom Vijayalekshmi (song' Angu Vaanakkonil from Ajayante Randam Moshanam), Devananda Girish (song 'Naattinidayana' from Sukhno Bhavanthu)
Best Cinematography: Deepak D Menon (Kondal)
Best Film Editor: Krishand (Sangharsha Khatana)
Best Sound Design: Resool Pookkutty, Lijo N James, Robin Kunjukutti (Vadakkan)
Best Art Direction: Gokul Das (Ajayante Randam Moshanam)
Best Makup man: Gurpreet Kaur, Bhoobalan Murali (Barozz 3D: The Guardian of Treasure)
Best Costume Design: Jyoti Madnani Singh (Barozz The Guardian of Treasure)
Best Popular Film of the Year: Ajayante Randam Moshanam
Best Children’s Film (shared): Kalam Std V B, Sthanarthi Sreekkuttan
Best Film on Women Empowerment: Her
Best Film on National Integration: Najas
Best Environmental Film (shared): Aadachayi, The Life of Mangrove
Best Film with Social Relavance: Prathimukham, Jeevan, Izha
Best Film with a Message: Mashippachayum Kallupencilum, Swargam
Best Sanskrit Movie (shared): Ekaki,Dharmayodha
Best Other Language Film: Amaran (Produced by Rajkamal Films International, directed by Rajkumar Periasami)
Best Debutants: Direction: Vishnu K Mohan (Iruniram) / Acting: Neha Nasnin (Qalb)
Special Jury Awards: Direction: Shan Kaechery (Swachhanda Mrityu) / Acting: Dr Manoj Govindan (Najas), Aadarsh Sabu (Shwasam), Sreekumar R Nair (Nayakan Prithvi), Satheesh Perambra (Puthiya Nirangal) / Screenplay: Archana Vasudev (Her)
Best Debut Talents: Direction: Vishnu K Mohan (Iruniram) / Acting: Neha Nasneen (Qalb)
The awards ceremony will be held soon in Thiruvananthapuram, the organisers confirmed.