The 55th Kerala State Film Awards, announced in Thrissur, once again highlighted why Malayalam cinema continues to command respect across India and beyond. The ceremony honoured a diverse range of talents, from seasoned performers to promising newcomers, and from visionary directors to the creative minds working behind the scenes.
At the forefront of this year’s winners was Mammootty, who added another jewel to his illustrious crown by winning Best Actor for Bramayugam. His hauntingly powerful performance was hailed as a masterclass in subtlety. The film also brought recognition to Sidharth Bharathan, who won Best Character Actor (Male) for his nuanced portrayal, and to Christo Xavier, who received the Best Background Score award for crafting the film’s tense, immersive soundscape.
Bramayugam
Manjumel Boys emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, bagging multiple honours including Best Film and Best Director for Chidambaram S. Poduval. The gripping survival thriller also won Best Art Direction (Ajayan Chalissery) and Best Music Director (Sushin Shyam). Soubin Shahir was recognised as Best Character Actor (Male) for his heartfelt role in the same film. With its combination of emotion, realism, and craftsmanship, Manjumel Boys stood out as the most complete cinematic experience of the year.
Manjummel Boys
On the acting front, Shamla Hamza won Best Actress for Feminichi Fathima, delivering a deeply emotional performance that resonated with both audiences and critics. The film’s director, Fasil Muhammed, received the Best Debut Director award, marking an impressive entry into the Malayalam film industry. Their collaboration highlighted the growing strength of woman-centric narratives in regional cinema.
Shamla Hamza from Feminichi Fathima
The Best Popular Film honour went to Premaalu, a light-hearted romantic entertainer that connected strongly with younger audiences, proving that humour and heart remain central to Malayalam storytelling. The fantasy action drama ARM took home the Best Visual Effects award, a testament to the industry’s steady rise in technical sophistication.
Premalu
In the Best Character Actress category, Lijomol Jose won for her touching performance in Nadanna Sambhavam, while Liz Thomas received special mention for her work in Varayan.
Lijomol Jose from Nadanna Sambhavam
The Special Jury Awards went to Paradise and Bougainvillea, along with actors Asif Ali, Tovino Thomas, Darshana Rajendran, and Jyothirmayi, each of whom brought emotional honesty and depth to their roles this year.
Paradise
Among the technical categories, excellence shone brightly across disciplines. Best Cinematography went to Paradise, praised for its poetic visuals and natural lighting. Best Editor was awarded to Bramayugam, where seamless transitions heightened the film’s eerie tone. Best Sound Design went to Manjumel Boys, while Bramayugam also won Best Makeup and Best Costume Design, recognising the film’s intricate attention to period detail.
K.S. Chithra
The Best Lyricist award went to Sushin Shyam for the soulful tracks in Manjumel Boys, and Best Playback Singer (Male) was awarded to Vineeth Sreenivasan for Premaalu. In the female category, K.S. Chithra was honoured for her timeless vocals in Bougainvillea, a performance that added grace and depth to the film’s emotional core.
Bougainvillea
The Best Screenplay (original) went to Bougainvillea, while Best Adapted Screenplay was awarded to Paradise, both recognised for their strong writing and layered storytelling. The Best Child Artist title was given to Aadhya Prakash for her charming role in Tholvi F.C., showing how young performers continue to shine in Malayalam cinema.
Taken together, this year’s Kerala State Film Awards painted a vivid picture of an industry thriving on both artistry and experimentation. The diversity of winners, from the commercial joy of Premaalu to the emotional strength of Feminichi Fathima, and from the mystical world of Bramayugam to the gritty realism of Manjumel Boys, reflects a creative ecosystem that values substance over spectacle.
In an era where cinema often chases scale, Malayalam filmmakers continue to chase truth, in characters, emotions, and craft. The 2025 awards were not just a ceremony of recognition, but a heartfelt reminder that great stories, told with honesty, will always find their audience.
Darshana Rajendran
