The Kerala State Film Awards for 2024 have been officially announced, highlighting some of the most celebrated and talked-about works in Malayalam cinema over the past year. Among the top achievers, the film Manjummel Boys emerged as the undisputed frontrunner, bagging several prestigious accolades, while veteran superstar Mammootty earned the Best Actor title for his extraordinary performance in Brahmayugam, directed by Rahul Sadasivan.
The results were revealed at a press conference in Thrissur on Monday, November 3, by Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian. This year’s jury, chaired by acclaimed actor Prakash Raj, comprised a distinguished panel featuring director Ranjan Pramod, producer Jibu Jacob, screenwriter Santosh Echikkanam, singer Gayatri Ashokan, sound designer and filmmaker Nithin Lukose, and multifaceted artist Baghyalakshmi. Out of 128 films submitted, 38 advanced to the final selection stage, from which the winners were chosen after careful deliberation.
Top Honors in Malayalam Cinema – 2024
- Best Film: Manjummel Boys
- Best Actor: Mammootty (Brahmayugam)
- Best Actress: Shamala Hamza (Feminichi Fathima)
- Best Director: Chidambaram (Manjummel Boys)
- Best Popular Film: Premalu
Manjummel Boys – The Big Winner
The gripping drama Manjummel Boys not only clinched the Best Film and Best Director awards but also swept the technical and performance categories:
- Best Cinematography – Shyju Khalid
- Best Art Direction – Ajayan Chaliseri
- Best Lyricist – Vedan (Kuthanthram)
- Best Sound Mixing – Fazal A.Backer, Shijin Melvin Hutton
- Best Colourist – Sreek Warrier
- Best Character Actor – Soubin Shahir
Other Noteworthy Awards
- Second Best Film: Feminichi Fathima
- Best Debut Director: Faasil Muhammed
- Best Story: Prasanna Vithanage (Paradise)
- Best Background Score: Christo Xavier (Brahmayugam)
- Best Music Director (Songs): Sushin Shyam (Bougainvillea)
Best Playback Singers
- Male: KS Harishankar – “Kiliye” (ARM)
- Female: Zeba Tomy – “Aaroram” (AM AH)
This year’s results reflect the dynamic evolution of Malayalam cinema, spotlighting both seasoned stalwarts and promising newcomers. Manjummel Boys captured audience and critic attention alike, while Mammootty’s towering screen presence reaffirmed his legendary status.
With record-breaking box office earnings and numerous accolades, 2024 stands out as a milestone year for the industry, proving yet again why Kerala’s film fraternity continues to set benchmarks in storytelling, artistry, and innovation.
