The 49th Kerala Film Critics Awards, one of the state’s two major film honours, recognised a wide range of Malayalam cinema talent on Wednesday, with veteran actor Mohanlal, Kalyani Priyadarshan and Anaswara Rajan emerging among the top winners. The awards, selected by a jury after evaluating more than 60 submitted films, were announced by association president and jury chairman George Onakoor along with general secretary Thekkinkad Joseph.

‘Eko’ named Best Film, Dominic Arun wins Best Director

The top honour for Best Film of 2025 went to ‘Eko’, directed by Dinjith Ayyathan. Filmmaker Dominic Arun, who helmed ‘Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra’, was named Best Director for his work on the film.

‘Rekhachithram’, directed by Joffin T Chacko and produced by Venu Kunnappally, was adjudged the second-best film.

Mohanlal, Kalyani Priyadarshan and Anaswara Rajan share acting honours

Mohanlal was awarded Best Actor for his performances in ‘Thudarum’ and ‘Hridayapoorvam’, reinforcing his long-standing stature in Malayalam cinema. The Best Actress honour was shared between Kalyani Priyadarshan for ‘Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra’ and Anaswara Rajan for ‘Rekhachithram’ and ‘Mr & Mrs Bachelor’.

Supporting performances and jury recognitions

Prakash Varma (Thudarum) and Dileesh Pothen (Ronth) won Best Supporting Actor awards, while Best Supporting Actress honours went to Honey Rose (Rachel) and Shuba Wayanad (Shanti: The Reflection of Truth).

Special jury awards for acting were presented to Dr Manoj Govindan (Periyon), Sangeeth Pratap (Hridayapoorvam), Sandeep Pradeep (Eko), Twinkle Joby (A Pregnant Widow) and Meenakshi (Private). Dharmik Sudhakaran and Devananda Jibin were named Best Child Artistes for ‘Pachatheyyam’ and ‘Kalyana Maram’ respectively.

Special honours and industry recognition

Veteran musician and playback singer MG Sreekumar received the Chalachitra Ratnam Award for his contribution to Malayalam cinema. The Critics Ruby Jubilee Award will be presented to filmmaker and screenwriter Priyadarshan.

The Chalachitra Parthiba Award was conferred on several industry veterans, including TG Ravi, Indrans, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, Kalliyoor Shashi, Urmila Unni and B Arundhati.

Technical and creative category winners

In the technical categories, ‘Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra’ and ‘Narivetta’ composer Jakes Bejoy won Best Music Director. Muhammad A (Thantaperu) was named Best Cinematographer, while Praveen Prabhakar (Kalamkaval) won Best Editor.

MR Rajakrishnan (Empuran) received Best Sound Mixing, Sunil Lavanya (Jagala) won Best Art Direction, Ronex Xavier (Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra) was awarded Best Makeup, and Minima Shaji (Moonam Nombaram) won Best Costumes.

Films across genres and social themes recognised

A wide range of films were also honoured across categories. ‘Sarvam Maya’ was named Best Popular Film, while ‘Daivathankunnu’ and ‘Pachatheyyam’ shared the Best Children’s Film award.

Films addressing social themes, environmental issues, national integration and biblical narratives were also recognised, including ‘Samastha Loka’, ‘Moonam Nombaram’, ‘Bhoothalam’, ‘Ariku’ and ‘Swalih’.

Jury and participation

The awards were decided by a jury led by George Onakoor, alongside members Thekkinkad Joseph, Dr Aravindan Vallchira, Dr Jose K Manuel and A Chandrasekhar. The panel viewed all submitted entries before finalising the winners.

Other awards

  • Best Story: GR Indugopan (Ponman)
  • Best Screenplay: Rakesh Thillenkeri (A Pregnant Widow)
  • Best Lyricist: Mahesh Gopal (Mr & Mrs Bachelor), Murali Neelambari (Vadu)
  • Best Music Composer: Jakes Bejoy (Narivetta, Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra)
  • Best Playback Singer (Male): Navaneet Unnikrishnan (Vidaparayam, Hridayapoorvam)
  • Best Playback Singer (Female): Sithara Krishnakumar (Minnalvala, Narivetta), JR Divya (Madhuramayoru Kokila Naadam, Nerariyum Nerathu)
  • Best Art Director: Sunil Lavanya (Jagala)
  • Best Makeup: Ronex Xavier (Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra)
  • Best Costumes: Minima Shaji (Moonam Nombaram)
  • Best Popular Movie: Sarvam Maya
  • Best Children’s Movie: Daivathankunnu, Pachatheyyam
  • Best Feature Film on National Integration: Khidki Ghav
  • Best Movie with a Social Message: Samastha Loka, Mindiyum Pranjum, Moonwalk, Chinna Chinna Asai, Karuthal
  • Best Environmental Film: Kalyana Maram, Bhoothalam
  • Best Socially Relevant Movie: Ariku, Swalih
  • Best Biblical Film: Moonam Nombaram
  • Best Non-Malayalam Film: Parashakti

Newcomer awards

  • Best New Actor: Riya Shibu (Sarvam Maya)
  • Best New Directors: Jithin K Jose (Kalamkaval), Sharan Venugopal (Narayaneente Moonanmakkal), Prashant Vijay (Ithiri Neram), Dr Manoj Govindan (Nobody), Shaju Valappan (Nizhal Vyaparikal)
  • Best New Screenplay: Shanti (Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra)