Kerala State Film Awards 2023 Announced; Nna Thaan Case Kodu Wins Big

The winners of the 53rd Kerala State Film Awards were announced by Saji Cherian, the minister of Kerala's Cultural Affairs, on Friday. The jury was headed by Bengali writer and filmmaker Goutam Ghose, best known for films such as Padma Nadir Majhi (1992), Kaalbela (2009) and Moner Manush (2010)

While there were 140 submissions last year, the number has gone up to 154 this year, with Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam and Nna Thaan Case Kodu bagging the top prizes. Notably, Mammootty received his eighth award in the acting category for his performance in Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam.

Here's the full list of winners:

Best Film: Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam

Second Best Film: Adithattu

Best Actor: Mammootty (Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam)

Best Actress: Vincy Aloshious (Rekha)

Best Director: Mahesh Narayanan (Ariyippu)

Special Jury Mention (Acting): Kunchacko Boban (Nna Thaan Case Kodu) and Alencier Ley Lopez (Appan)

Special Jury Mention (Direction): Biswajith S and Rareesh

Special Award in Any Category for Women/Transgender: Shruthi Sharanyam (B 32 Muthal 44 Vare)

Best Character Actor: P P Kunjikrishnan (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)

Best Character Actress: Devi Varma (Saudi Vellakka)

Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value: Nna Thaan Case Kodu

Best Children’s Film: Pallotty 90’s Kids

Best Story Writer: Kamal KM (Pada)

Best Screenplay (Original): Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)

Best Music Director (Songs): M Jayachandran (Pathonpathaam Noottaandu and Ayisha)

Best Male Singer: Kapil Kapilan (For the song 'Kanave' from the movie Pallotty 90’s Kids)

Best Female Singer: Mridula Warrier (For the song 'Mayilpeeli Ilakunnu Kanna' from the movie Pathonpathaam Noottaandu)

Best Music Director (Background Score): Dawn Vincent (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)

Best Lyricist: Rafeeq Ahammed (For the song 'Thiramaalayaanu Nee' from the movie Viddikalude Maash)

Best Film Editor: Nishad Yousuf (Thallumaala)

Best Cinematographer: Manesh Madhavan (Ela Veezha Poonchira) and Chandru Selvaraj (Vazhakku)

Best Sound Design: Ajayan Adat (Ela Veezha Poonchira)

Best Sound Mixing: Vipin Nair (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)

Best Sync Sound: Vysakh VV (Ariyippu)

Best Choreographer: Shobi Paul Raj (Thallumaala)

Best Dubbing Artist (Female): Pauly Valson (Saudi Vellakka)

Best Dubbing Artist (Male): Shobi Thilakan (Pathonpathaam Noottandu)

Best Makeup Artist: Ronex Xavier (Bheeshmaparvam)

Best Costume Designer: Manjusha Radhakrishnan (Saudi Vellakka)

Best Art Director: Jyothish Sankar (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)

Best Visual Effects: Aneesh T, Sumesh Gopal (Vazhakku)