Mammotty's 'Kadhal - The Core' wins the best film award at the 54th Kerala State Award

The 54th Kerala State Film Awards was announced on August 16, 2024, by Minister Saji Cherian. The award for the year 2023 winners was also distributed on the same day. 

The ceremony was held in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, where the Malayalam film industry’s prominent personalities were present. In this auspicious ceremony, the Kerala State Film Awards 2023 were presented to the actors and technicians by Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. 

While Prithviraj Sukumaran, for his role in ‘Aadujeevitham,’ bagged the award of Best Actor, while director Blessy of the same film received the ‘Best Director Award.’ The multilingual actress Urvashi and Beena R. Chandran received the award for best actress for the movies ‘Bhoothakalam’ and ‘Thadavu,’ respectively. The veteran actor Vijayaraghavan was honored with Best Supporting Actor for his role in Pookkalam. 

‘Kaathal - The Core,’ acted and produced by Mammotty, was appreciated by receiving the Best Film award from the government. The director and screenwriter Jeo Baby, who is known for his works. The Great Indian Kitchen and Freedom Fight was honored in the award ceremony for his contribution to the film Kaathal - The Core. The film Irratta won the Best Second Movie honor. Adujeevitham won nine awards at the ceremony. 

Sound designer Resul Pookutty and actors Sangeeth Prathap, Joju George, and Roshan Mathew were also honored by the minister. Pinarayi Vijayan expressed that he was proud of the contribution given from the Malayalam industry, despite the lack of freedom of expression given to the artist. The minister requested the artists to continue their contribution to the industry. 

With films like Thadavu, O Baby, Chaaver, and 2018 winning the top honors given by the state government, respected director Shaji N. Karun was presented with the prestigious JC Daniel Award for his years of contribution to the Malayalam film industry. Shaji received Rs 5 lakh, a certificate of honor, and a statue. 

The jury for the selection of award winners included Director Lijo Jose Pellissery and writer N. S. Madhavan and was headed by director and screenwriter Sudhir Mishra. The primary jury presidents were director and screenwriter Sudhir Mishra. Priyanandan and cinematographer Azhakappan.