Kerala State Film Awards: Revathi, Biju Menon, Joju George win big

'Aavasavyuham' was named the best Malayalam-language film of 2021, from a list of nearly 150 releases

Biju Menon won Best Actor at the 2022 Kerala State Film Awards for his role in 'Aarkkariyam' (2021). Photo: Studios

Malayalam cinema was globally lauded for persevering even in the thick of the coronavirus pandemic.

Not only did the film industry from the South Indian state of Kerala offer up diverse filmmaking forms and themes, slick editing and subtitling, and quick turnarounds, but it also put forth an interesting take on ordinary human stories, which appealed to a rapidly expanding fan base of stuck-at-home viewers.

Case in point — The Arbit Documentation of An Amphibian Hunt: Aavasavyuham, which tells the story of the environmental issues faced by residents of Puthuvype island in Kochi, (narrated, however, in a disjointed oral biography style with injections of dark humour), and which won the Best Film Award at the 52nd Kerala State Film Awards this week.

The award show stands out from its contemporaries, in that it honours several categories (think Best Film and "Second" Best Film) and artists for their roles in more than one film (Best Actor Joju George, for example, was lauded for his portrayal in no fewer than four films). Other notable winners in the same category include veterans Biju Menon and Revathi.

Whether you're a new or long-time fan of Malayalam films, or simply a film buff looking to expand your horizons, take your cue from this list of winning films, filmmakers and artists, chosen from a selection of nearly 150 movies.

Winners of the Kerala State Film Awards 2022

Best Film: The Arbit Documentation of An Amphibian Hunt: Aavasavyuham

Second Best Films: Nishiddho and Chavittu

Best Actor: Biju Menon for Aarkkariyam and Joju George for Madhuram, Freedom Fight, Thuramukham and Naayattu

Best Actress: Revathi for Bhoothakaalam

Best Director: Dileesh Pothan for Joji

Best Character Actor: Sumesh Moor for Kala

Best Character Actress: Unnimaya Prasad for Joji

Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value: Hridayam

Best Children’s Film: Kaadakalam

Best Story Writer: Shahi Kabir for Nayattu

Best Screenplay Writer: Krishand for Avasavyuham

Best Child Artist (Male): Master Adithyan for Niraye Thathakalulla Maram

Best Child Artist (Female): Sneha Anu for Thala

Best Music Director (Songs): Hesham Abdul Wahab for Hridayam

Best Male Singer: Pradeep Kumar for Minnal Murali

Best Female Singer: Sithara Krishnakumar for Kaanekkaane

Best Music Director (Background Score): Justin Varghese for Joji

Best Lyricist: BK Harinarayanan for Kaadakalam

Best Film Editor: Mahesh Narayanan and Rajesh Rajendran for Naayaattu

Best Cinematographer: Madhu Neelakandan for Churuli

Best Choreographer: Arun Lal for Chavittu

Best Art Director: AV Gokuldas for Thuramukham

Special Award for Promising Debut in Direction: Krishnendu Kalesh for Prappeda