Kerala state film awards 2025 has been announced on 3rd November, afternoon. It is the highest honours given by the Government of Kerala to celebrate excellence in Malayalam cinema, and this year the awards recognized the best works of 2024. And congratulations to all winners who made into the list and those who earned it in Malayalis’ hearts.
Earlier films belonging to realistic cinema, mostly termed as ‘Art Cinema’ have been recognized most, while in present times, it has been commercialized by giving more awards to popular films. While in old times, when it was a mix of art and commercial cinema, less criticism came out. But in the present times, it has become a matter of debate in local channels. This year too, announcement of awards has invited a lot of criticism. Though I don’t have much opinion about all the categories, a few categories have definitely disappointed me. Here is what I have to say. Let us discuss.
2024 – The best year of Malayalam cinema
Earlier I have added a post on best Indian movies of 2024. You can read it here. Yes, it’s the highest grossing year of Malayalam cinema, surpassing the ₹1,000 crore mark in 2024, marking a significant growth. Not only that, many Malayalam films received Pan India appeal. The year will always be marked as the golden year of Mollywood in the history books, with some huge blockbusters, trendsetters and remarkable performances & works.
Kerala state film awards for the year 2024
Some of the awards were as expected, while some others came out as surprises. I am disappointed by a few awards too. Let us discuss. Like previous years it’s more commercialized, with Manjummel Boys, creating a new record with 10 awards. While some of its categories are well deserving, a few are also there which I felt awkward.
Best actor award for Mammootty – Truly deserving
Mammootty received his 8th state award for best actor, which is highest in this category. Congratulations Mammookka. You truly deserved it. Along with his age, his performance is also aging like wine and he delivered some of his best performances post-pandemic times. With just three characters, director Rahul Sadasivan created a delusional world in Black & White through Bramayugam and make it truly engaging and a commercial success. Truly a masterpiece, and two of them received state awards – Mammootty and Siddharth Bharathan in two distinct categories. But I really wished actor Vijayaraghavan shared this honour aside Mammootty in his heartwarming performance in Kishkindha Kaandam. Both the performances made me wonder how they performed it. We can’t say which one is better. So, no comparisons.
Most of us are not discussing about the performance of Arjun Ashokan in the film. His role is highly underrated. Arjun’s character is equally important as Mammootty’s character in the film, and he gets a good share of screen presence too. To add, it’s heartwarming to see debutante Shamla Hamza receiving best actress award for Feminichi Fathima. The movie also bagged second best film. When Soubin Shahir played the male lead of Manjummel Boys, why was he honoured with Best Character Actor? Was his performance better than Vijayaraghavan in Kishkindha Kaandam? Already Asif Ali was nominated in best actor category for the film.
What disappointed me most is the less-recognition received for Kishkindha Kaandam
For me, Kishkindha Kaandam is the best Malayalam film & best script of 2025 and definitely one of the best Indian films of past 25 years. You can read my list here. Mystic thrillers like Kishkindha Kaandam rarely happens and they need to be recognized. But the movie received only two awards – Best editing for Sooraj E. S. & Special Jury mention for Asif Ali. I am disappointed for ignoring Vijayaraghavan’s performance as Appu Pillai. He truly deserved recognition for his breathtaking performance in the climax, which elevated the film to peak level experience. He could have been at least recognized alongside Asif Ali in the special mention category.
Tovino’s performance in ARM is brilliant. Asif Ali gave his career best performance in Kishkindha Kaandam. But still Vijayaraghavan’s performance has an upper hand, in my opinion. At any point, it never appears like he is acting. But through subtle emotions, he was living the character Appu Pillai.
Once in a blue moon, scripts like Kishkindha Kaandam are written and they need to be recognized. No one can guess its climax, but it’s written in a realistic way, connecting with audience. Left with an open end for audience to guess, its climax really soaked everyone’s minds with tears. Even after watching, some movies run in our minds for days and weeks, and even years. Kishkindha Kaandam is definitely one such. Climax of Manjummel Boys is also good. It has repeat watch value. But still, when you turn back after years, the climax of Kishkindha Kaandam stays in mind for long.
At times when even National film awards is shifting to popular films, it’s heartwarming to see Malayalis supporting this slow burning thriller, which never falls in commercial category. Malayalis watched it in theatres too, released along with fantasy folklore story, ARM during Onam festival season. Thanks to the taste of Malayali audience. Background score of Kishkindha Kaandam is amazing. Its unique script and direction were not recognized either.
Angu Vaana Konilu of ARM – My song of the year
Hot debate regarding the Kerala state film awards 2025 is – whether to recognize rapper Vedan or not. When government recognizes an artist on whom numerous cases have been registered, including multiple sexual abuse, people will question it. In 2022, the movie Home was fully excluded from awards as its film producer was undergoing a sexual abuse case against him. Later the movie bagged two National awards including a special jury mention for actor Indrans. Then why this double standard? Same is the case of Manjummel Boys, which came under ED scanner. But the movie was considered for state awards and given 10 awards. Vedan is widely seen promoting the political events, and when he is awarded for his rap lyrics which doesn’t meet the standards, people will slam it.
Vedan got the best lyricist award for the popular song, “Kuthanthram” from Manjummel Boys. The song is loved by new generation kids, and can become their anthem. But what’s the criteria to choose best lyrics? Is it because the movie became blockbuster in Tamil Nadu, Prakash Raj gave 10 awards to the film? A debatable topic indeed. Strength of lyrics lies in the usage of language and strength, and I wonder if a non-Malayali Prakash Raj can understand it. After all Malayalam is not at all a simple language to understand.
I genuinely believe Angu Vaana Konilu of ARM, penned by Manu Manjith and sung by Vaikom Vijayalakshmi deserved best lyrics and female playback honours respectively. Somewhere I read, Manu Manjith was nominated for best lyrics, but no idea about the song. The lyrics are unique, and it tells the story of the film. It was written in a storytelling mode, giving good lessons to a child. It uniquely blends folklore, and was given a lullaby touch stirring emotions naturally. This task is not so easy. For me, Angu Vaana Konilu is the best song of the year.
The movie which was running flat till its climax lifts itself to another level with this song, and Vijayalakshmi’s voice pierces our soul and gives goosebumps. No doubt, the placement of this particular song at the climax did magic to the film. That’s the power of good music, lyrics and rendition. But still I am happy that the romantic song Kiliye received honour for best male playback. Harikrishnan perfectly nailed it.
I really missed best child actor in the list of Kerala state film awards 2025. Sthanarthi Sreekuttan and award-winning Victoria deserved recognition. Independent films were also ignored. I wonder if All We Imagine as Light is a Malayalam film. If so, why it received just a single award. Why was this film not nominated in other main categories?
Rest of the awards, I felt deserving. If you look back 10-15 years, more art films won state awards. Now, more popular and commercial films are recognized. Time has gone when movies of Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Bharathan and Padmarajan received more honours. Let us accept this changing reality.
Disclaimer: Opinions are strictly personal
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