Kerala State Film Awards 2025 – A Celebration of Malayalam Cinema Excellence
This year’s Kerala State Film Awards 2025 marked a compelling chapter in Malayalam cinema’s vibrant history. With bold storytelling, nuanced performances, and technological finesse, the industry came together to honour its best in front of a discerning jury and an eager audience. The award ceremony brought anticipation, excitement, and reflection all at once — responding to the question: What does excellence in Malayalam cinema look like today? Here’s how it unfolded, with insight, context, and commentary.
What are the Kerala State Film Awards and why do they matter?
The Kerala State Film Awards are a state-government-backed recognition of the finest in Malayalam cinema — awarded annually by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA). According to their website, recipients receive a cash prize, a replica and certificate in several categories.
Why does it matter? Because over decades it has become a benchmark: actors, directors, writers and technicians aim for this recognition not just for prestige but for cementing their artistic credibility in the Malayalam film industry.
The 55th edition – Why “55th” matters for Kerala State Film Awards 2025
The 2025 edition is officially the 55th Kerala State Film Awards, which means the legacy is decades-old and that the competition has matured significantly. According to reports, 128 films were submitted for consideration this year.
This gives us a metric: the hurdle is high, the competition fierce, and any winner must truly have stood out. In other words, what you’re reading about isn’t just routine — it’s the culmination of intense scrutiny across acting, direction, craft, and storytelling.
How the Jury worked for Kerala State Film Awards 2025?
The jury for the Kerala State Film Awards 2025 was a seven-member panel led by the actor Prakash Raj, with ministerial presence and media attention.
They evaluated submissions from all corners of Malayalam cinema — and declared their verdict at a press conference in Thrissur on November 3, 2025.
Sifting through dozens of films and performances, the jury’s decisions reflect their reading of what cinematic art and entertainment in Kerala mean today.
The big winner – ‘Manjummel Boys’ takes Best Film
The film Manjummel Boys emerged as the biggest winner of the night, grabbing the Best Film trophy along with many technical and craft awards.
Why is this significant? Because it underscores a film that not only connected with audiences but also impressed the jury across departments. It sets a precedent: it’s no longer just about star leads; holistic filmmaking counts.
Mammootty wins Best Actor – A career milestone
Veteran actor Mammootty was declared Best Actor for his performance in Bramayugam, directed by Rahul Sadasivan.
Interestingly, this win reportedly marks his seventh Best Actor win in the history of the Kerala State Film Awards, a record-setting accomplishment.
What did he do? He portrayed two characters — Kodumon Potty and Chaathan — in the same body, a performance the jury described as “uneasy feat”. That kind of double role, executed convincingly, was a major factor in his selection. (See detail below.)
Shamla Hamza wins Best Actress – A stunning breakout
Debutant actress Shamla Hamza grabbed the Best Actress trophy for her role in Feminichi Fathima, a film that premiered to acclaim at the International Film Festival of Kerala and won multiple accolades.
Playing a young wife who challenges patriarchal norms through her rebellious actions, she delivered such a nuanced performance that the jury felt compelled to honour her. Her win is as much about promise as it is about delivery.
Highlights of the winners list – categories, craft and recognition
The complete winners list covers everything from Best Director, Best Story, to technical awards like Best Sound Design or Best Colourist. For example:
- Best Director: Chidambaram (Manjummel Boys)
- Best Story Writer: Prasanna Vithanage (Paradise)
- Best Lyricist: Vedan for Manjummel Boys song “Kuthanthram”
This breadth speaks to the awards’ structure: they reward not just the star names but the craftsmen behind the scenes. Their recognition elevates the industry as a whole.
Why ‘Manjummel Boys’ dominated – understanding the sweep
When one film sweeps many awards, the question arises: Why did Manjummel Boys dominate the Kerala State Film Awards 2025?
Here are some key factors:
- It won Best Film and Best Director (Chidambaram) – signalling story + execution synergy.
- It also bagged technical honours: cinematography (Shyju Khalid), production design (Ajayan Chalissery), sound design & mixing (Shijin Melvin) and colourist recognition.
- The film’s genre (survival drama) and pan-India appeal suggest it resonated beyond traditional Malayalam audiences.
By dominating both “above the line” and “below the line” categories, it managed to reflect the full spectrum of filmmaking excellence — which the jury evidently rewarded.
Mammootty’s performance dissected – Kodumon Potty & Chaathan
Let’s dig into Bramayugam’s winning performance by Mammootty. He played two characters — Kodumon Potty and Chaathan — in a single body, which the jury described as a “brilliant” feat.
Why it stood out:
- Double role: playing two distinct characters with different moral compasses in one film is challenging.
- Genre: the film is labelled a “folk horror” by many outlets, so it had thematic complexity beyond standard drama.
- Veteran actor delivering fresh energy: At this stage in his career, it’s not easy to surprise audiences — but here, Mammootty did.
In short: his win wasn’t just for “another good performance” — it was for stretching boundaries and reaffirming his mastery.
Shamla Hamza’s breakout – why her win matters
Shamla Hamza’s Best Actress victory is more than a trophy — it signals a shift. Her role in Feminichi Fathima is that of a young wife fighting patriarchy in her household through subtle, rebellious acts. The film and her performance have already been buzzed about at festivals. A news piece noted she shot the film when her baby was just six months old — underscoring her dedication.
Her win matters because:
- It encourages new talent and women-centric narratives in Malayalam cinema.
- It broadens the spectrum of what “leading actress” can mean — not just glamour roles, but layered characters.
- It reflects the jury’s openness to fresh faces and fresh stories.
Thus, her win is symbolic: of change, of opportunity, and of evolving cinema.
Technical artistry honoured – from sound to production design
Why do the technical categories matter? Because cinema is not just acting and directing — it’s the totality of visuals, texture, sound, colour, editing. The Kerala State Film Awards 2025 honoured many such crafts:
- Best Sound Design & Sound Mixing: Manjummel Boys
- Best Background Score: Christo Xavier for Bramayugam
- Best Make-up, Best Costume, Best Dubbing Artist – each contributes to the immersive film experience.
By including these categories and awarding them, the KSCA tacitly reinforces: filmmaking is a collaborative art — and excellence has many faces.
The Second Best Film honour – reinforcing healthy competition
The awards also recognise a “Second Best Film” category. In this edition, Feminichi Fathima was awarded Second Best Film.
What does that mean?
- It acknowledges films that are outstanding but just a notch short of the top prize — thereby encouraging filmmakers.
- It keeps the competition healthy and inclusive; not just one winner takes all.
- It signals to audiences that the industry values a range of voices and narratives.
In short, recognising the runner-ups keeps the ecosystem dynamic.
Reflections on jury commentary – what they said
Jury commentary often offers insight into why awards were given. For example, the jury praised Mammootty for “brilliantly essaying two characters — Kodumon Potty and Chaathan — in a single body.”
Such commentary does more than justify the awards — it educates audiences about what to appreciate: complexity, nuance, risk-taking.
It also holds the industry to higher standards: when you know what the jury values, you know the bar is set higher for next time.
Controversies and critique – voices of dissent
No awards event is without debate. In this edition, for instance, the Best Lyricist category (won by Vedan) stirred social media reactions. Some netizens questioned the decision, signalling “shame on the Kerala government” according to one headline.
Why mention this? Because awards don’t exist in a vacuum — they are subject to public scrutiny, industry politics, cultural expectations. Acknowledging the critique gives the coverage credibility and nuance.
What this means for Malayalam cinema’s future direction?
The Kerala State Film Awards 2025 send several signals:
- Gos for strong acting performances remain crucial (Mammootty, Shamla Hamza).
- Storytelling that blends mass appeal with craft wins (Manjummel Boys).
- Emerging talent and technical excellence are being rewarded.
- Audience tastes may be shifting — survival-drama, folk horror, female-led narratives.
All of this points to a vibrant, evolving Malayalam cinema landscape.
List of winners – a snapshot table
Here’s a condensed table of major winners from the event:
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Film | Manjummel Boys | Manjummel Boys |
| Second Best Film | Feminichi Fathima | Feminichi Fathima |
| Best Director | Chidambaram S Poduval | Manjummel Boys |
| Best Actor (Male) | Mammootty | Bramayugam |
| Best Actress (Female) | Shamla Hamza | Feminichi Fathima |
| Best Story Writer | Prasanna Vithanage | Paradise |
And many more craft and technical awards followed. Sources: Indian Express, The News Minute.
The role of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA) in shaping the awards
The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy is the mandated institution for administering these awards.
Because it is statutory, backed by government, and has institutional memory, the KSCA lends legitimacy — meaning the awards cannot easily be dismissed as “just another ceremony.”
This institutional underpinning enhances trust, authority and continuity.
Behind the scenes – how films qualify and submissions happen
For the 2025 edition, some key facts:
- 128 films were submitted.
- 26 of these were shortlisted for the final round.
What does that tell us? Filmmakers know the ball-park, the competition is stiff, and the process is selective — meaning a win is meaningful.
Plus, from submitting to announcing: months of judgment, viewings, deliberations. The verdict isn’t superficial.
Why the year 2024 matters for this edition of Kerala State Film Awards 2025?
Even though the awards are named “2025”, the films submitted are largely from the year 2024 (and perhaps early 2025) — so we are really assessing the cinematic output of that period.
This means that the cultural, economic, social trends of 2024 in Kerala (and India at large) influenced film-making, and thus influenced winners. It’s not just “2025” work but the cumulation of creative output bridging those years.
What the winners say about current audience and critical expectations?
When a film like Manjummel Boys sweeps both popular and technical categories, and a female lead like Shamla Hamza wins with a socially conscious role, we can infer:
- Audiences and critics alike value substance + entertainment.
- Sensitive portrayals of gender, society, identity matter.
- Technical mastery (sound, cinematography, colour) is not being ignored.
Hence, filmmakers must hold their craft high and narrative strong if they want to be contenders.
Trends in Malayalam cinema reflected in Kerala State Film Awards 2025
Let’s highlight some trends visible in this edition:
- Multi-character performance — e.g., Mammootty’s two-fold role.
- Genre diversifying — folk horror (Bramayugam), survival drama (Manjummel Boys).
- Female-centric narratives — Feminichi Fathima wins major recognition.
- Emerging technical talent — awards for sound, mixing, colour bring craft to front.
- Popularity meets art — “Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value” category rewarded Premalu.
These indicate that Malayalam cinema is moving into a matured phase: art and commerce blending.
Reactions from industry and media
The announcement triggered wide reaction:
- Mammootty expressed gratitude and acknowledged the journey of Malayalam cinema.
- Discussions also arose about decisions: for example, the lyricist award to Vedan sparked criticism online.
The mix of applause and debate shows the awards are culturally significant — they provoke conversation, not just winners lists.
What this means for the winners’ careers?
Winning a Kerala State Film Award can change career trajectories:
- For Mammootty, it reinforces his icon status and opens up fresh roles.
- For Shamla Hamza, it marks a major breakthrough — likely a turning point.
- For Manjummel Boys team (director, technicians, cast), this kind of sweep raises profile, marketability and funding potential for future projects.
Thus, the awards are not just symbolic—they can be career-shifting.
How filmmakers and actors might use this recognition?
From a practical standpoint, winners might:
- Leverage the award in marketing — “Award-winning actor/film”.
- Negotiate higher budgets or prestige projects.
- Attract pan-Indian and global attention (especially for films with cross-region appeal).
So the consequences of this event ripple beyond the ceremony night.
Limitations and challenges – an honest look
While awards shine a spotlight, they also have caveats:
- Winning doesn’t guarantee box-office success or widespread audience reach.
- Some technically brilliant films may go unnoticed in commercial terms.
- Jury decisions may be critiqued (as seen with lyrics controversy).
- Awards can reflect industry priorities of a given year, but may miss latent talent.
Therefore, while celebrating, it’s also wise to keep expectations grounded.
Audience takeaway — what should film-goers know?
For Malayalam cinema fans and wider audiences:
- Here is your curated list of “must-watch” films from 2024/25 (Manjummel Boys, Bramayugam, Feminichi Fathima).
- Pay attention to emerging names in direction, acting and craft.
- Bonus: technical craft such as sound design or colour grading is getting recognised — meaning films are becoming more immersive.
In short: the awards provide a roadmap of what’s considered top‐tier in Malayalam cinema today.
Impact on regional and national film landscape
Though these are “state” awards, the ripple effect extends:
- National spotlight: strong winners raise the profile of Malayalam cinema in pan-Indian context.
- Collaboration potential: technicians, actors get noticed by other regional industries.
- Trend-setting: other states may take cues from successful films and formats.
So the Kerala State Film Awards 2025 aren’t just about Kerala—they matter for Indian cinema more broadly.
What to watch next — after the awards ceremony
After the winners are announced, what happens?
- The awarded films often get re-released, wider distribution, OTT premieres.
- Festivals may pick up winners for international screenings.
- Filmmakers who didn’t win may study the winners to refine their craft.
Thus, the awards act like a launchpad — not a finish line.
FAQs about Kerala State Film Awards 2025
Q1: When were the Kerala State Film Awards 2025 announced?
A: The winners of the 55th Kerala State Film Awards 2025 were announced on November 3, 2025, in Thrissur.
Q2: Who won Best Actor at the Kerala State Film Awards 2025?
A: Mammootty won Best Actor for Bramayugam.
Q3: Who won Best Actress at the Kerala State Film Awards 2025?
A: Shamla Hamza won Best Actress for Feminichi Fathima.
Q4: Which film won Best Film at the Kerala State Film Awards 2025?
A: Manjummel Boys was awarded Best Film.
Q5: What is the significance of the jury for the Kerala State Film Awards 2025?
A: The seven-member jury, led by Prakash Raj, evaluated submissions and made the final decisions — lending credibility and weight to the awards.
Q6: Are technical craft awards included in the Kerala State Film Awards 2025?
A: Yes — categories like Best Sound Design, Best Colourist, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design were all awarded.
Conclusion – Why the Kerala State Film Awards 2025 matter
The Kerala State Film Awards 2025 aren’t just another list of winners — they represent a compelling snapshot of where Malayalam cinema stands today: bold, technical, inclusive, and evolving. From Mammootty reaffirming his legend status, to Shamla Hamza signalling fresh talent, to Manjummel Boys demonstrating how craft and story can win big — the awards show that excellence has many dimensions.
For filmmakers, actors and technicians, the message is clear: innovation plus skill plus narrative power get rewarded. For audiences, it’s an invitation to experience the best of Malayalam cinema right now. And for the wider Indian film ecosystem, it’s a reminder: Kerala’s film industry continues to punch above its weight.
In short: if you care about cinema that’s grounded, disciplined, daring and emotionally resonant, then the Kerala State Film Awards 2025 are worth your attention.
