‘We can proudly say we just missed it to Mammukka’: Tovino Thomas at Kerala State Film Awards

Speaking after receiving the Special Jury Mention at the 55th Kerala State Film Awards, Tovino Thomas said that both he and fellow actor Asif Ali felt honoured to be recognised alongside Mammootty. “Both I and Asif can proudly say that we competed with Mammukka, and the audience’s love is the biggest award we receive,” Tovino said.

He added with a touch of humour that merely being in the same awards race as Mammootty was a special moment for younger actors. Tovino described it as an honour to receive recognition in the presence of artists he has admired for years, stressing that such moments reflect the strength and continuity of Malayalam cinema.

Tovino thanked everyone who has supported him since the start of his film journey in 2012, acknowledging the audience, colleagues and mentors who stood by him over the years. He made a special mention of the director of ARM, Jithin Lal for preparing him to portray three different characters in the film, along with the scriptwriter, co-actors and technical crew.

Fans also took note of the warm exchange between Tovino and Mammootty just after the award presentation. Visuals showing Tovino standing beside Mammootty with visible excitement, and Mammootty congratulating and encouraging him with affection, were widely shared and praised online.

Mammootty won the Best Actor award at the 55th Kerala State Film Awards ceremony held in Thiruvananthapuram for his performance in Rahul Sadasivan’s Bramayugam. The recognition came on an emotionally significant day for the actor, shortly after the announcement that he would receive the Padma Bhushan.

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In his acceptance speech, Mammootty described awards as a source of encouragement for the entire film fraternity rather than individual achievements. “Awards are always an encouragement for an artist,” he said, adding that recognition in Malayalam cinema belongs equally to those who support and nurture films.

Referring to the Special Jury Mention recipients Tovino Thomas (ARM) and Asif Ali (Kishkindha Kaandam), Mammootty said, “They are not even a millimetre behind me. They are with me.” He added with humility, “I may have received the award because I am older in age.” His remarks drew applause from the audience and highlighted the generational continuity within the industry.

Tovino Thomas, while responding to the honour, said it was a privilege to be recognised alongside Mammootty and Asif Ali. He noted that competing in the same category as Mammootty was itself an achievement and described the audience’s love as the biggest reward. Tovino also thanked the ARM team, including the director, writer, co-actors and technicians, and acknowledged the guidance he received in preparing for the film’s three distinct characters. He expressed gratitude to those who have supported his cinema journey since his debut in 2012.

Fans also drew attention to moments shared on stage after the awards, where Tovino and Asif Ali posed for photographs with Mammootty. The interactions, marked by warmth and encouragement from the senior actor, were widely appreciated on social media.

Mammootty also praised the performances of Soubin Shahir and Shamla Hamza, stating that they had delivered exceptional work. Referring to films like Feminichi Fathima, he said such stories reflect the distinctive imagination of Malayalam cinema, adding, “Such films are possible only in Malayalam cinema.”

Reflecting on the industry’s strengths, Mammootty said Malayalam cinema stands apart because of its focus on ordinary people and real human emotions. “The good and bad that ordinary people do, the same good and bad exist in our characters. That is our strength,” he said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who addressed the gathering, congratulated Mammootty on receiving the Padma Bhushan and noted that the state government had recommended his name for several years. “Everything has its own time,” the Chief Minister said, drawing applause from the audience.

Mammootty’s win for Bramayugam marked his seventh Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, the highest by any performer in the category. The ceremony also honoured several other artists and technicians, reinforcing the breadth and depth of contemporary Malayalam cinema.