A mixed bag for Malayalam cinema at the 72nd National Film Awards

Malayalam cinema had its hits and misses after the 72n^d National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi on Saturday.

The Rajat Kamal won by the acclaimed actor Mammootty topped the list as he shared the honour with actor Kartik Aaryan. In his outstanding performance as the tyrannical and mysterious landlord Kodumon Potty in Rahul Sadasivan’s thriller Bramayugam, the versatile actor was way ahead of his contenders in the final lap.

Actor Asif Ali, who was among those considered for the Best Actor Award for his measured performance in Kishkindha Kaandam, said that he felt privileged after being able to figure along with the versatile ‘Mammukka’ (Mammootty).

Shehnad Jalal, the man behind the camera of Bramayugam, won the Best Award for Cinematography. A native of Thiruvananthapuram, his camera work was instrumental in elevating the horror-thriller into a critically-acclaimed work. It was his second work with Mr. Sadasivan after Bhoothakalam. He had earlier won the Kerala State Film Award for best cinematography for his first film, Chitrasuthram (2010). Some of his other works include  Ullozhukku,Ee Adutha Kalathu, Left Right Left, Kanyaka Talkies, and Kamala.

For renowned singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, the Best Playback Singer Award (Female) came as a ‘pleasant surprise’. She won the jury’ s recognition for her soulful rendition of the song Angu Vaana Konilu... in the movie ARM (Ajayante Randam Moshanam). “All the credit for this recognition goes to Dhibu Ninan Thomas, the music director of the movie, who had told me to sing it as a memorable lullaby,” she said.

Fasil Muhammed’s directorial debut Feminichi Fathima (Feminist Fathima) won the Best Malayalam Film Award. “I was confident about the content of the movie. I feel happy for this national recognition,” he said. A powerful satire on patriarch and religious constraints placed on women, the movie had won several awards at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) including the jury prize, the audience poll award, the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award for the best film in the international competition.

In the category of non-feature films, Bhadra-Kali Natakam(Bhadra-The Dance of Kali) by director Ananda Jyothi (Jose Antony) won a special mention.

Despite much expectations, the movies Manjummal Boys, and Kishkindha Kaandam did not garner any recognition.

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