Manjummel Boys Sweeps Kerala State Film Awards 2024

The curtain fell on the 55th Kerala State Film Awards, celebrating the finest cinematic achievements of the year 2024, and the results have sent waves of excitement through the Malayalam film industry. In a resounding victory, the survival drama Manjummel Boys emerged as the undisputed champion, sweeping an impressive total of nine awards, including the top honours for Best Film and Best Director.

In the acting categories, the accolades were bestowed upon two remarkable performances: the veteran Mammootty cemented his legendary status with his seventh Best Actor win, while the talented Shamla Hamza marked a significant milestone by clinching the Best Actress title.

A Phenomenal Sweep for Manjummel Boys

Directed by Chidambaram S Poduval, Manjummel Boys, a film based on a riveting real-life incident, secured the coveted award for Best Film. Chidambaram’s masterful direction was also recognised, earning him the award for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The film’s success story was comprehensive, extending deep into the technical brilliance of the production:

• Best Film: Manjummel Boys (Directed by Chidambaram)
• Best Director: Chidambaram (for Manjummel Boys)
• Best Screenplay (Original): Chidambaram
• Best Cinematography: Shyju Khalid
• Best Art Direction: Ajayan Chalissery
• Best Sound Designing & Sound Mixing: Shijin Melvin Hutton, Abhishek Nair & Fazal A.Backer
• Best Lyrics: Vedan (for the song ‘Kuthanthram’)
• Best Character Actor (Male): Soubin Shahir (shared)

The unprecedented success of the film, which was a box office phenomenon, reaffirms the jury’s decision to honour both commercial success and artistic quality.

Acting Triumphs: Mammootty’s Reign and Shamla Hamza’s Revelation

The title of Best Actor (Male) was awarded to megastar Mammootty for his mesmerizing and chilling portrayal of Kodumon Potty in the horror-thriller Bramayugam. This victory marks his record-extending seventh Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, a testament to his enduring brilliance and willingness to take on challenging, unconventional roles even late into his career. His intense performance in the black-and-white feature was widely hailed by critics and audiences alike.

The Best Actor (Female) award went to Shamla Hamza for her compelling performance in the film Feminichi Fathima. Her nuanced depiction in the film resonated strongly with the jury, chaired by actor-filmmaker Prakash Raj, showcasing the arrival of a compelling new talent in Malayalam cinema. Shamla Hamza’s debut win is a celebrated highlight of this year’s awards, recognizing an impactful role that stood out among a strong field of contenders.

Other Key Winners and Recognitions

The awards ceremony, announced by Kerala Minister for Films, Saji Cherian, also acknowledged other standout works:

• Feminichi Fathima, which featured the Best Actress performance, was also declared the Second Best Film and earned its director, Fasil Muhammed, the award for Best Debut Director.
• The romantic comedy Premalu was honoured as the Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value, reflecting its huge success and widespread acclaim.
• Lijomol Jose won Best Character Actor (Female) for her work in Nadanna Sambhavam, while Sidharth Bharathan shared the Best Character Actor (Male) award with Soubin Shahir for his role in Bramayugam.
• The awards also included Special Jury Mentions for actors Tovino Thomas (ARM) and Asif Ali (Kishkindha Kaandam).

This year’s 55th Kerala State Film Awards has not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also highlighted the vibrant mix of groundbreaking technical skill, compelling storytelling, and powerful performances that continue to define Malayalam cinema as a creative powerhouse in Indian filmmaking.