50th Kerala State Film Awards Winners: Suraj Venjaramoodu, Kani Kusruti and Lijo Jose Pellissery win big

The 50th Kerala State Film Awards, which was delayed due to the pandemic lockdown, was announced on Tuesday by Cultural minister AK Balan and it packed a lot of surprises, considering a record number of films that were screened for the jury this year. The top honours were clinched by Suraj Venjaramoodu (Best Actor), Kani Kusruti (Best Actress), Lijo Jose Pellissery (Best Director), Fahadh Faasil and Swasika Vijay (Best Supporting Actors).Vasanthi (directed by Rahman brothers) was adjudged the Best Film.
With the pandemic delaying the announcement of this year’s State Awards, a total number of 119 films were screened including many unreleased movies such as Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham and films made on massive as well shoe-string budgets. This year's jury was headed by noted cinematographer Madhu Ambattu. Directors Salim Ahmed, Abrid Shine, cinematographer Vipin Mohan, actress Jomol, editor L Bhoominathan and writer Benyamin were also among the jury members who had done the screening following all Covid-19 protocols.
This year’s list had a healthy mix of movies helmed by experienced directors as well as relatively new directors such as Madhu C Narayanan’s Kumbalangi Nights, Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval’s Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25, Mathukutty Xavier's Helen, Manu Ashokan's Uyare, Gireesh AD's Thaneermathan Dinangal and PR Arun’s Finals. In fact,71 movies were helmed by debutants. Several internationally acclaimed movies too were in contention including Lijo Jose Pellissery's Jalikettu and Sajin Baabu's Biriyani.

The actors list too saw veteran artistes such as Mammootty (Unda, Mamangam) and Mohanlal (Lucifer, Marakkar) vying with Asif Ali, Shane Nigam, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Nivin Pauly for the Best Actor (Male) award while Manju Warrier, Parvathy, Anna Ben and Kani Kusruti were the frontrunners for the Best Actor (Female) honour.
These are the winners of Kerala State Film Awards 2020:
Best Film - Vasanthi
Best Second Film - Kenjira
Best Director - Lijo Jose Pellissery (Jallikettu)
Best Actor - Suraj Venjaramoodu (Android Kunjappan, Vikurthi)
Best Actress - Kani Kusruti (Biriyaani)
Best Supporting Actor - Fahadh Faasil (Kumbalangi Nights)
Best Supporting Actress - Swasika Vijay (Vasanthi)
Best Composer -Sushin Shyam (Kumbalangi Nights)
Best Adapted Screenplay - PS Rafique (Thottappan)
Best Original Screenplay - Rahman Bros (Vasanthi)
Best Playback Singer (Male) - Najeem Arshad
Best Playback Singer (Female) - Madhushree Narayan
Best Cinematography - Pratap V Nair (Kenjira)
Best Art Director - Jyothish (Kumbalangi Nights, Android Kunjappan)
Best Sync Sound - Madhavan Nair
Best Popular Film - Kumbalangi Nights
Best Debutant Director - Ratheesh Poduval (Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25)
Jury Award for Best VFX - Sidharth Priyadarshan (Marakkar: Arabikdalinte Simham)
Jury Mention - Music director - V Dakshinamoorthy (Shyamaraagam)
Jury Mention - Actor - Nivin Pauly (Moothon)
Jury Mention - Actor - Anna Ben (Helen)
Jury Mention - Actor - Priyamvada Krishnan (Thottappan)