The Malayalam film industry, or Mollywood, continues its streak of national dominance as Jothish Shankar’s Ponman (2025) has emerged as a frontrunner for the 8th Critics’ Choice Awards 2026.

Released to critical acclaim for its gritty portrayal of the gold-lending business and the dowry system, the film has secured three major nominations, placing it alongside big-budget national titles. The grand awards ceremony will be conducted on March 24, 2026, in Mumbai.

Ponman has been recognised for excellence in storytelling and performance:

  • Best Film (Feature): Competing against titles like Homebound and Bison Kaalamaadan.
  • Best Actor: Basil Joseph (for his role as P.P. Ajesh).
  • Best Supporting Actress: Lijomol Jose (for her role as Steffi).

Reacting to the news, Basil Joseph stated, “Being nominated at the Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 is incredibly special. Ponman challenged me in new ways as a performer, and this recognition feels like a celebration of the entire team’s passion and conviction. I am thankful and deeply honoured.”

Basil Joseph, widely known as the "hit machine" of Malayalam cinema, has transitioned seamlessly from a blockbuster director (Minnal Murali) to a powerhouse performer. In Ponman, Basil plays P.P. Ajesh, a "walking jewelry" specialist who finds himself in a life-or-death struggle to recover gold from a dangerous family.

Written by G.R. Indugopan and Justin Mathew, Ponman is a black comedy thriller set in the coastal town of Kollam. It subverts traditional tropes by presenting a "non-judgmental" study of flawed characters caught in a web of social pressures and financial desperation.

The Critics’ Choice Awards are organised by the Film Critics Guild in partnership with WPP Motion Entertainment.