Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 (.) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said the Kerala State Film Awards serve as a historic documentation of the creative and artistic journey of Malayalam cinema.
He was delivering the address while presenting the 2024 Kerala State Film Awards to 51 winners at an event held at Nishagandhi Auditorium.
The Chief Minister conferred the J.C. Daniel Award, the highest film honour instituted by the Kerala government, on veteran actress Sharada.
He noted that the awards recognise outstanding contributions across 35 categories and play a key role in recording the artistic evolution of Malayalam cinema for posterity.
The function was presided over by Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian.
Recalling Sharada’s illustrious career, the Chief Minister said she was the first actress from Malayalam cinema to win the National Film Award for Best Actress, for her performances in ‘Thulabharam’ and ‘Swayamvaram’.
Honouring Sharada, who regarded Kerala as her own homeland, was tantamount to honouring the rich and enduring heritage of Malayalam cinema, he added.
Congratulating Mammootty, who won the Best Actor award for his performance in ‘Bramayugam’, the Chief Minister expressed happiness at the actor being conferred the Padma Bhushan.
He said that Mammootty, with a career spanning more than four-and-a-half decades and over 420 films, continues to reinvent himself with each role.
Awards were presented to 51 film personalities, including Mammootty, Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali, Vettan, Shamla Hamza, Lijomol Jose, Jyothirmayi, Soubin Shahir, Sidharth Bharathan, Chidambaram, Fazil Muhammed, Sushin Shyam, Sameera Saneesh and Sayanora Philip.
In place of actress Payal Kapadia, the award was received by principal actresses Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha from the award-winning film.
Actress Jyothirmayi accepted the award on behalf of director Amal Neerad, while Neeraj Rajendran received the award in place of Darshana Rajendran.
A book detailing the Kerala State Film Awards was released by General Education and Labour Minister V. Sivankutty, who handed over the first copy to Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil.
Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairperson Rasool Pookutty delivered the welcome address. Jury Chairperson and actor Prakash Raj presented the jury report for the film category, while Cultural Affairs Director Dr. Divya S. Iyer presented the overall jury report.
After the award presentation ceremony, a musical programme led by Best Playback Singer award winners K.S. Harisankar and Seba Tomy was held.
Adv. V.K. Prasanth MLA, Mayor V.V. Rajesh, District Panchayat President V. Priyadarshini, Literary Category Jury Chairperson Madhu Iravankara, KSFDC Chairperson K. Madhu, Film Academy Vice-Chairperson Kuku Parameswaran, Secretary C. Ajoy and other dignitaries attended the event.
. DS .