50th Kerala State Film Awards announced

The 50th Kerala State Film Awards (2019-2020) have been announced. The ceremony was presided over by cultural affairs minister AK Balan. He noted that of the 119 films considered, more than half the entries were from first-time directors. Madhu Ambat headed the jury.

While Vasanthi (directed by Rahman Brothers) won Best Picture, Kenjira (directed by Manoj Kana) won Second Best Picture. Suraj Venjaramoodu won Best Actor (Male) for Android Kunjappan and Vikrithi while Kani Kusruti won Best Actor (Female) for Biriyaani. 

The other acting category winners are Swasika Vijay won Best Character Actor (Female) for Vasanthi, and Fahadh Faasil won Best Character Actor (Male) for Kumbalangi Nights.

Lijo Jose Pellissery won Best Director for Jallikattu. Sushin Shyam took home Best Composer for Kumbalangi Nights, Best Best Playback Singer (Male) for Najeem Arshad and Best Playback Singer (Female) for Madhushree Narayanan.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Best Film - Vasanthi

Best Second Film - Kenjira

Best Director - Lijo Jose Pellissery for Jallikattu

Best Actor (Male) - Suraj Venjaramoodu for Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25 and Vikurthi

Best Actor (Female) - Kani Kuruthi for Biriyaani

Best Character (Male) - Fahadh Faasil for Kumbalangi Nights

Best Character (Female) - Swasika Vijay for Vasanthi

Best Composer - Sushin Shyam for Kumbalangi Nights

Best Playback Singer (Male) - Najeem Arshad

Best Playback Singer (Female) - Madhushree Narayanan

Best Art Director - Jyothish

Best Sync Sound - Madhavan Nair

Best Dubbing Artist: Vineeth for Lucifer

Best Popular Film - Kumbalangi Nights

Best Debutant Director - Ratheesh Poduval for Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25

Jury Award for Best VFX - Sidharth Priyadarshan for Marakkar: Arabikdalinte Simham

Jury mention - Music director - V Dakshinamoorthy for Shyamaraagam

Jury Mention - Actor - Nivin Pauly for Moothon, Anna Ben for Helen, Priyamvada Krishnan for Thottappan