Kerala State Film Awards 2025: Mammootty Creates History with 7th Best Actor Win, ‘Manjummel Boys’ Dominates with 9 Honours

A Landmark Year for Malayalam Cinema

The 55th Kerala State Film Awards 2025 celebrated the artistic excellence and global reach of Malayalam cinema, with Prakash Raj leading the seven-member jury. The results were announced by Minister for Culture and Films Saji Cherian at a ceremony held at Ramanilayam, Thrissur, on Monday.

The awards recognised a year of creative diversity — from experimental storytelling to blockbuster craftsmanship — reaffirming Kerala’s position as one of India’s most vibrant cinematic ecosystems.

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Mammootty Makes History with ‘Bramayugam’

Veteran actor Mammootty bagged the Best Actor (Male) award for his spine-chilling performance in ‘Bramayugam’, marking his seventh win in the category — a record-breaking feat in the award’s 55-year history.

With this, he surpasses legends Mohanlal and Urvashi, who each hold six wins. Mammootty’s previous victories include iconic performances in Adiyozhukkukal, Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, Mrigaya, Vidheyan, and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, among others.

Critics hailed his portrayal in Bramayugam as a masterclass in psychological horror, further solidifying his status as one of India’s most transformative actors.

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‘Manjummel Boys’ Leads with Nine Wins

The survival drama ‘Manjummel Boys’, directed by Chidambaram S. Poduval, swept the ceremony with nine awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography (Shyju Khalid), and Best Art Direction (Ajayan Chalissery).

The film, inspired by a real-life rescue mission, has been both a critical and commercial triumph, praised for its technical brilliance, human depth, and collective performances. Jury chair Prakash Raj lauded it as “a cinematic triumph that embodies courage, brotherhood, and technical excellence.”

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Emerging Voices and Fresh Talent

The awards also spotlighted emerging voices in Malayalam cinema. Fasil Muhammed won Best Debut Director for Feminichi Fathima, which also earned Best Second Film and a Best Actress win for Shamla Hamza.

The Special Jury Awards for Acting went to Tovino Thomas (ARM) and Asif Ali (Kishkindha Kaandam) in the male category, and Jyothirmayi (Bougainvillea) along with Darshana Rajendran (Paradise) in the female category.

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Technical and Creative Excellence Recognised

In the technical categories, ‘Bougainvillea’ emerged a strong contender, winning multiple honours for Best Screenplay (Lajo Jose and Amal Neerad), Best Makeup (Ronex Xavier), Best Costume Design (Sameera Saneesh), and Best Music Direction (Sushin Shyam).

‘Bramayugam’ also picked up Best Background Score (Christo Xavier), while ‘ARM’ won Best VFX and Best Male Playback Singer (KS Harisankar).

Notably, Zeba Tommy won Best Female Playback Singer for Aarorum from Am Ah, and rapper Vedan was recognised as Best Lyricist for Kuthanthram from Manjummel Boys.

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Spotlight on Inclusivity and Literary Contributions

The Special Jury Award for Women/Transgender Artists was awarded to Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine As Light, reflecting Kerala’s ongoing effort to promote gender inclusivity in cinema.

In the literature category, C.S. Meenakshi’s Penpaattu Thaarakal - Malayala Cinemapattukalile Pennaavishkaarangal won Best Book on Cinema, while Valsan Vathussery was honoured for Best Article on Cinema. Noufal Mariyam Blathoor received a Special Jury Award for Samayathinte Vistheernam.

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Complete List – Key Winners

• Best Film: Manjummel Boys

• Best Director: Chidambaram S. Poduval (Manjummel Boys)

• Best Actor (Male): Mammootty (Bramayugam)

• Best Actor (Female): Shamla Hamza (Feminichi Fathima)

• Best Debut Director: Fasil Muhammed (Feminichi Fathima)

• Best Popular Film: Premalu

• Best Story: Prasanna Vithanage (Paradise)

• Best Cinematography: Shyju Khalid (Manjummel Boys)

• Best Music Director: Sushin Shyam (Bougainvillea)

• Best Background Score: Christo Xavier (Bramayugam)

(See official website of Kerala Chalachitra Academy for the complete winners list.)

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A Night of Triumph for Malayalam Cinema

This year’s winners reflected the continuing creative evolution of Malayalam cinema — balancing artistic daring with popular appeal. As Minister Saji Cherian noted, “These awards celebrate a film culture that belongs not just to Kerala, but to the world.”

With Manjummel Boys’ dominance and Mammootty’s historic record, the 2025 Kerala State Film Awards will be remembered as a year when experience and innovation stood side by side — reaffirming the timeless power of storytelling in Malayalam cinema.